How to Hike the Sassolungo Circuit Trail, Dolomites

The Sassolungo (Langkofel in German, Saslonch in Ladin) Group is a compact mountain group which is located between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa in the Dolomites. The Sassolungo mountains are bordered by the mammoth Sella Group to the east and the Catinaccio/Rosengarten Mountains to the west.

This group is named after its most prominent peak, Sassolungo (3181 meters), which is the 9th highest peak in the Dolomites.

A long circuit trail, measuring 17.7 km, wraps around the entire mountain group. It takes 6:15 hours to complete. Following the contours of the Sassolungo Group, the trail rises and falls throughout. There are no long and hard ascents or descents. Though it’s not a difficult trail, it’s quite long. 

My guide describes the complete circuit trail around the whole Sassolungo/Langkofel group, which includes Sassolungo (3181 m), Sasso Piatto (2958 m), Spallone del Sassolungo (3081 m), Punta delle Cinque Dita (2998 m), Sasso Levante (2240 m), and Innerkofler Tower (3098 m).

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Sassolungo Circuit Trail Map

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Essential Trail Info

Trailhead | The hike starts at Passo Sella (Sellajoch in German), the mountain pass that connects Val Gardena in South Tyrol with Val di Fassa in Trentino.

How to Get to Passo Sella | If you’re based in Val Gardena, use the südtirolmobil journey planner to find the best bus connections to Passo Sella. If you’re based in Val di Fassa, you can take the summer bus 471 from Canazei to Passo Sella.

Parking at Passo Sella | There are several expensive paid car parks around Hotel Passo Sella Dolomiti Mountain Resort. Location: Google Maps. Most recently, we paid 12 EUR for 2 hours.

Trail Direction | The Sassolungo Circuit Trail is usually hiked clockwise, starting on trail 557, which is also called the Friedrich August Weg. If hiking this trail in summer, start the hike between 7:00 am and 8:30 am so you can eat a Krapfen at the Friedrich August hut.

Difficulty | The challenge comes more from the distance than from the terrain or any technical aspects of the trail.

Trail Variations | You can also hike a shorter circuit trail around either Sassolungo, or Sasso Piatto, by first ascending to Forcella Sassolungo via the 2-person Forcella Sassolungo gondola (aka the coffin lift) from Passo Sella. Though shorter, these variations are more difficult, because of the steep, more technical descent to Rifugio Vicenza. Via Ferrata enthusiasts ought to check out the Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster, which also starts at Passo Sella.

Where to Eat | The trail passes a number of mountain huts along the way, specializing in Ladin and South Tyrolean cuisine. We like to eat at Plattkofelhütte (Rifugio Sasso Piatto).

Responsible Hiking | Maintain a safe distance from grazing animals. Leave no trace.

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When to Hike the Sassolungo Circuit Trail

The hiking season in the Dolomites starts in early June and continues until late September, or late October, depending on snow conditions.

The best time to hike the Sassolungo circuit trail is in June, mid-late September, and October.

If you’re visiting during high season (July and August), try to avoid hiking this trail on weekends. It can feel like a highway.

We hiked this route in early October and it was lovely. Rifugio Sasso Piatto usually stays open until late October, so there’s somewhere to eat along the way, even late in the season.

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Sassolungo Circuit Trail Description 

Passo Sella to Rifugio Friedrich August (35 minutes)

Pass in front of Passo Sella Dolomiti Mountain Resort and the tiny alpine chapel, and locate trail 557.

Follow the narrow path parallel to the road in the direction of Val di Fassa. This path cuts across a tussock hillside to reach the car park near Rifugio Valentini. 

Head right, following the road to Rifugio Salei and onwards to Baita Miara. 

The wide track ascends to the broad Forcella Rodella saddle and then slopes down to the pasture area of Friedrich August hut, home to Highland cattle and Tibetan yaks. Maintain a respectful distance from the animals and do not disturb them. 

In summer (starting in mid-June), the Friedrich August hut sells Krapfen (jam-filled doughnuts) between 7:30 am and 10:30 am. These Krapfen are a Tiktok/Instagram sensation and now more and more people are hiking to this hut, specifically to eat this pastry.

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Rifugio Friedrich August to Rifugio Sandro Pertini (40 minutes)

Shortly after passing the Friedrich August hut, hike down the timber “staircase” and then cross the creek. After rain or snow, this path can be very muddy. 

The trail traverses the tussock slopes below the dramatic spires of the Sassolungo Group. Looking left, Val di Fassa stretches out to the south between the Catinaccio and the Marmolada groups. 

The undulating path progresses with no difficulty to Rifugio Sandro Pertini, a charming hut located on the sunny south side of the Sassolungo Group amidst scattered Swiss pine. This refuge is typically open from late June until late September. 

If you look southeast (essentially behind you), you’ll be able to see Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites.

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Rifugio Sandro Pertini to Rifugio Sasso Piatto (40 minutes)

Trail 557 continues crossing tussock slopes and then ascends a rugged stretch of path,  bolstered with timber reinforcements. 

Views open up to the distinct Denti di Terrarossa/Rosszahne peaks and the Sciliar/Schlern massif. 

The trail turns to gravel and descends to a trail junction. Take the right path to Rifugio Sasso Piatto/Plattkofelhütte (15 minutes), skirting the Malga Sasso Piatto dairy. 

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Rifugio Sasso Piatto to Rifugio Vicenza (1:50 hours)

Rifugio Sasso Piatto is located on the foot of Sasso Piatto/Plattkofel on a busy trail intersection. This is an ideal place for lunch. 

Note: It’s possible to ascend to the summit of Sasso Piatto from the refuge (2 hours one-way). A more interesting, albeit difficult approach is via the Oskar Schuster Via Ferrata (B/C) from the north side. 

Locate trail 527 and follow signs to Rifugio Vicenza/Langkofelhütte (1:50 hours) and Passo Sella/Sella Joch (3 hours).

Follow the wide access road northwest. Soon, you’ll see the vast rolling pastures of Alpe di Siusi. 

Turn right on trail 527, leaving the road.

Heading north now, the narrow trail continues wrapping around the Sassolungo/Langkofel group. 

As the path turns east, you’ll hike through a patch of Swiss pine forest to a clearing (alpine pasture in summer). 

Cross the meadow to the fence, where there’s a stile. 

With dreamy views of Sassolungo/Langkofel, the trail gently descends to the tree line. 

After a lovely forest jaunt amidst larch, spruce and stone pine, the path steers you across rockier terrain. 

After crossing a gravel slope, the trail ascends to a trail junction. Ignore the partially cemented road that leads up to Rifugio Vicenza al Sasso Lungo/Langkofel Hütte. 

Continue straight, passing the wooden bench and trail signs. 

When the path splits, bear right. Soon after, turn right again on trail 525 to Rifugio Vicenza/Langkofel Hütte (30 minutes). 

Here, you get to decide whether to detour to Rifugio Vicenza or continue directly to Rifugio Comici (1 hour) and Passo Sella (1:40 hours) on trail 526. 

Rifugio Vicenza is blessed with a gorgeous location in the heart of the Sassolungo group. It’s a 180 meter ascent to the hut.

If the refuge is open and you’re still feeling energetic, we recommend taking the detour. If you’re already tired, skip it and save your energy for the final 1:40 hours to Passo Sella. 

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Rifugio Vicenza to Rifugio Comici (1:20 hours)

Retrace your steps to the trail 525/526 trail junction and follow trail 526 in the direction of Passo Sella. 

After an easy traverse, you’ll arrive at the 526 and 526A trail junction. Both trails lead to Rifugio Comici. 

We followed the right 526A trail, which crosses the northern slopes of Sassolungo, navigating boulder fields, ledges, and rock overhangs. 

Eventually the boulder-studded trail ascends through thinning forest and joins the road just below the Comici hut. 

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Rifugio Comici –  Citta dei Sassi – Passo Sella (40 minutes)

The sellaronda ski infrastructure is somewhat of an eyesore. But, the views of Sella are great compensation. 

Continue following trail 526 across meadows. When you get to the trail 526/526C trail junction, take the left lower trail (526). 

This path crosses the enchanting landscape of Citta dei Sassi/Steinerne Stadt, which means City of Stone. 

Here, the path weaves between Swiss pine and dolomite boulders. This magical stretch of trail steers you to Passo Sella, thus completing the circuit.

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Where to Stay near Sassolungo

Selva di Gardena

Budget | Hotel Garni Morene is a clean and comfortable family-run guesthouse, set in an idyllic location outside the town center of Selva. Stay here for the unbeatable price, mountain views, and hospitality. Breakfast included.

Budget | Garni Sunela B&B is an immaculate bed and breakfast with spacious rooms, a spa, bar, parking garage, and a phenomenal breakfast, including fresh eggs from the resident chickens. Check-in is only until 7 pm.

Midrange | Garni Hotel Bel Vert is a B&B in Selva, located on the Biancavieve Slope, outside the town center. Rooms are beautiful and spacious. There’s even a small spa. 3 nights minimum stay.

Midrange-Luxury | Hotel Freina is a welcoming family-run hotel in Selva with an excellent on-site restaurant (serving vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options), wonderful spa, and free garage parking. 

Luxury | Hotel Rodella stands on a hill between Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena, walking distance to the Col Raiser gondola. Commanding the most epic views of the Sella Group and Sassolungo, staying here is absolute bliss, especially at sunset. You can book breakfast-only or half board. Stay here for the views, newly renovated wellness area, and cozy atmosphere. 3 night minimum stay.

Luxury | Hotel Tyrol is a traditional alpine hotel centrally located in Selva. The hotel’s restaurant offers creative interpretations of Ladin tradition with a Tuscan twist. Stay here for the cozy ambience, the wellness area (saunas, indoor and outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, salt cave with chromotherapy), and comfortable rooms. Outdoor parking is free and garage parking is an extra charge. 

Luxury | Hotel Sun Valley is a 4-star hotel with a feel-good atmosphere, nice rooms, friendly management and staff, and a great restaurant (half board available). The spa comprises an indoor pool, whirlpool, Tyrolean parlor sauna, Brechel bath with fresh pine branches, and a steam bath, and relaxation areas. 

Luxury | Linder Cycling Hotel stands out with its bold architecture, stylish urban accents, and laid-back atmosphere. Beyond the captivating design, Linder Cycling Hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a rooftop terrace, indoor pool, bar, and the à la carte Luis Eatery restaurant

Boutique Luxury | Boutique Hotel Nives – Luxury & Design is a small 4-star-superior hotel in Selva with two restaurants, a spa (saunas and outdoor whirlpool), and an indoor pool. The 13 rooms of family-run Hotel Nives are equipped with Nespresso coffee machines, tea kettles, bathrobes and slippers. Extra perks: free garage parking, free winter ski shuttle, and bike storage. The à la carte Restaurant Nives is open all-year-long, while the Hotel Restaurant Stevia is only open in winter. 

5-star Luxury | Hotel Granbaita Dolomites is an ode to alpine elegance. This 5-star luxury hotel pampers guests with its lavish rooms, extensive spa area (7 saunas, indoor-outdoor pool, fitness room, spa), and decadent tasting menus. Book half board.

Find an accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena.

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Val Gardena Travel Guides

Travel Guides:

• Best Hotels in Val Gardena
• Oritisei Travel Guide

Hiking Trails:

• Best Hikes in Val Gardena
• Seceda
• Steviola Plateau Hike
• Col dala Pieres Hike
• Monte Pic Hike
• Piz Duleda Hike
• Vallunga Valley and Val de Chedul
• Alpe di Siusi Meadows Circuit Trail

Via Ferratas:

• Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster
• Via Ferrata Sass Rigais

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