Cima della Vezzana (3192 m) is the highest peak in the Pale di San Martino Group in the Italian Dolomites. However, from multiple angles, the slightly lower Cimon della Pala (3184 m) actually appears to be higher.
Experienced alpine hikers keen on summitting this peak can start their hike at the Rosetta Cableway Mountain Station in San Martino di Castrozza, thus trimming off 1705 meters of the ascent.
When I think about this hike, these words surface: grueling, never-again, how much further? and exhausting. I asked Kati what she thought about the hike, and she said: “beautiful view, hard on the feet, and challenging terrain.”
This is a serious high-altitude hike, and we urge you to read this guide in full, before deciding to summit Cima della Vezzana.
Cima della Vezzana Peak Hike
- Starting Point: Col Verde Gondola valley station in San Martino di Castrozza, Trentino, Italy
- Trailhead: Rosetta cableway mountain station
- Type of Trail: Out-and-back
- Distance: 13.8 km
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 861 meters ascending/descending
- Difficulty: Very Challenging
- Time Needed: 6 hours
- Route: Rosetta Cableway Mountain Station (2635 m) – Rifugio Rosetta (2581 m) – Passo Bettega (2661 m) – Passo del Travignolo (2925 m) – Cima della Vezzana (3192 m)
- Where to Eat: Rifugio Rosetta
- Where to Stay: Hotel Colbricon Beauty & Relax in San Martino di Castrozza
This post links to products and services we love, which we may make a small commission from, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog!! – Sabrina and Kati
Cima della Vezzana Hiking Map
Cima della Vezzana Hiking Safety and Difficulty
Only hike to Cima della Vezzana on a brilliant day, with perfect visibility.
This is a VERY DIFFICULT day hike. You have to be acclimated, conditionally extremely fit, and have tons of high alpine hiking experience. The terrain is unforgiving and the trail is poorly marked. Because of the scanty waymarking, you have to have good trail intuition.
Honestly, this was too difficult to be fun, and I wouldn’t recommend it to 95% of our audience. If you’re looking for a beautiful day hike in Pale di San Martino, check out this Rifugio Pradidali Loop Trail.
Kati and I have two vastly different opinions about this hike. She really enjoyed it. For me, the ascent was taxing, but manageable. The descent, on the other hand, was a pain-in-the-ass, and I just wanted it to end. I even stopped talking, which says something.
Tips for hiking to Cima della Vezzanna
- Start early. Arrive at the Col Verde gondola station as soon as it opens.
- You should be fully rested.
- Bring climbing gloves.
- Wear sturdy Grade B/C Hiking Boots.
- Wear Cat 4 Sunglasses.
- Bring an extra shirt to change into on the peak (so you don’t get a chill while wearing a sweaty shirt).
Getting to the Trailhead: Colverde Gondola Valley Station
This hike requires an ascent and descent with the Colverde gondola and the Rosetta Cableway. The Colverde Gondola valley station is located in San Martino di Castrozza. There’s a free parking lot at the valley station.
The Colverde and Rosetta return combi-ticket costs 25 EUR per person. More information on pricing.
Colverde Gondola
- Location: San Martino di Castrozza
- Open: Late June until Late September daily. Starting in late September until mid-October, the Colverde Gondola is only operating on the weekends.
- Operating Times: 8:10 am – 4:45 pm.
Rosetta Cableway
- Location: San Martino di Castrozza
- Open: Late June until Late September daily. Starting in late September until mid-October, the Rosetta Cableway is only operating on the weekends.
- Operating Times: 8:20 am – 4:40 pm (not working from 1 pm to 1:40 pm)
When can you hike to Cima della Vezzana
Late June until mid-October, weather permitting. If you’re hiking here between late September and mid-June, the cableways are only open on the weekend. We recommend hiking this trail in early-mid September when the weather is generally stable and there are fewer visitors. Read Next:
Cima della Vezzana Trail Description
Rosetta Cableway Mountain Station to Passo Bettega (30 – 40 min)
When you disembark the Rosetta cableway station, you’ll see Rifugio Rosetta directly ahead of you, at a slightly lower elevation. Follow the obvious trail across the Altopiano delle Pale di San Martino plateau the mountain hut (10 minutes).
Behind the hut, locate trail 716. The sign indicates 3 hours to Cima della Vezzana.
The trail skirts Cima Corona on a karst trail. Below on your right, you’ll see San Martino di Castrozza and the Primiero Valley. This path requires careful footing, but it’s very manageable.
Trail 716 wraps around Cima Corona, ushering you to a rocky slope between Dente del Cimone and Cima Corona. From here, you’ll steadily ascend to Passo Bettega.
Read Next: Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
Passo Bettega to Passo del Travignolo (1:10 hours)
From the pass, descend along the approachable scree path directly ahead. Soon, you’ll be on a quasi-balcony trail, hugging the mountain on the left side.
Trail 716 progresses to Valle dei Cantoni valley. Before reaching the valley, you’ll encounter a short secured section.
When you get to the rocky Valle dei Cantoni, it’s somewhat of an intimidating sight. You’re surrounded by towers of Dolomite rock on all sides.
If you had any difficulty hiking up until this point, we recommend returning. It gets far more challenging from this point onwards.
Hiking uphill, you’ll soon encounter a secured route on the left side of the valley. The fixed cables help you gain elevation rather rapidly. Note: you don’t need special equipment for this section, but climbing gloves are super helpful. And, you can always wear a climbing helmet like this one for women, or this one for men, for safety.
When the secured passage ends, continue hiking uphill towards the pass. You have to traverse piles of rock on a steep path that isn’t always clear. This is a challenging ascent for even experienced hikers.
Before you reach Passo del Travignolo (2925 m), you’ll likely have to navigate a few snowfields. Hiking poles are essential in stabilizing your ascent (and later your descent) across these slippery snow passages. We love our Unisex Black Diamond Hiking Poles.
Passo del Travignolo to Cima della Vezzana (50 minutes)
Passo del Travignolo lies between Cima della Vezzana, our goal for today, and Cimon della Pala. Head east (right) and follow the waymarks to the Il Nuvolo ridge (3030 m). This part is a bit tricky, because the waymarks are hard to find.
From the ridge, continue left (north) up to the highest peak of the Pala Group: Cima della Vezzana (3192). Enjoy the views, because you’ve EARNED THEM!
Read Next: Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
Cima della Vezzana to Rifugio Rosetta (3 hours)
Return to Rifugio Rosetta by the same route.
Eat a well-earned lunch here, before returning to the Rosetta cableway station.
Where to Stay in San Martino di Castrozza
The best base for this hike and many others in Pale di San Martino is San Martino di Castrozza. The Col Verde gondola valley station is located directly in town. We recommend staying in an apartment-hotel (aparthotel) so that you can be the most flexible with your hiking times and trip planning. Here are three options:
Budget | Residence Taufer is an affordable apartment-style accommodation, located 1 km from the center of San Martino di Castrozza. Apartments are clean and fully equipped, with all necessary appliances to make your stay here comfortable. The check-in/out is easy and uncomplicated. There’s a welcoming bar downstairs, where you can order espresso, drinks, and snacks throughout the day. And, the views of the Pala Group are sublime!
Mid-Range | Residence Langes is a top-rated apartment-hotel in the center of San Martino di Castrozza. Apartments are spacious, clean, and functional and have fully equipped kitchens. Guests love soaking in the outdoor whirlpool facing Pale di San Martino. There’s also a hotel bar on the ground floor.
Mid-Range | San Martino Mountain Residence is a new and modern aparthotel (8 apartments only) in a quiet area of San Martino di Castrozza (15-minute walk to the center). Apartments are thoughtfully designed and stocked with all necessary amenities. Guests have access to an outdoor whirlpool, Finnish sauna, hotel bar, sun terrace, and garden. Breakfast is available for 6 EUR per person if booked the day before.
For a more traditional hotel set-up, check out Hotel Colbricon Beauty & Relax.
Find a place to stay in San Martino di Castrozza.
Related: Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
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More Hikes in Pale di San Martino (Pala Group):
- Passo Rolle to Baita Segantini Day Hike
- Val Venegia to Rifugio Mulaz Circuit Hike
- Rifugio Rosetta to Rifugio Pradidali Circuit Hike
Plan your trip to the Dolomites:
- Dolomites Travel Guide
- Best Hotels in the Dolomites
- Things to do in the Dolomites
- Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary
Our Favorite Destinations in the Dolomites:
There are 2 comments on this post
Hi, thanks for all the trail descriptions. Can you elaborate wbat makes this trail very challenging? Are there technical/climbing sections or parts where you need to be free of fear of heights?
I never found much of a problem hiking up 1000m at 3000m altitude, or without trail markings (using GPS/hiking maps), or on scree/rocky terrain, i.e. on "red" trails. But any black trails are not for me. So just wondering what "very challenging" means for you. Thank you.
Hi Markus,
It sounds like you have a lot of experience. For me (Sabrina), the ascent was manageable, but the descent was tricky, especially from Passo del Travignolo to Passo Bettega, because we were just hiking down a field of rocks (no easy switchback trail) and I grew increasingly fatigued with where to step. Also, the final stretch to the summit is exposed.
If you do this hike, make sure you're well-rested (we weren't) and start early.
I would recommend first hiking the loop trail around Pala di San Martino - a far more scenic and enjoyable hike. That hike should feel very moderate (no big deal). If you have any difficulty on the circuit, then do not hike Cima della Vezzana.
Happy hiking,
Sabrina