Störes Meadows and Rifugio Pralongià Hike, Alta Badia, Dolomites

Störes Meadows and Rifugio Pralongià Hike is an easy-moderate circular hike starting in San Cassiano, Alta Badia, that doesn’t require any cableways. It follows forest roads and well-groomed tracks that double as bike paths. 

Although the initial ascent along trail 24A is rather unremarkable, the landscape opens up beautifully once you reach the Störes Meadows. From the summit of Störes, the trail descends to Rifugio Pralongià, a perfect refuge for lunch. From here, follow trail 22, the true highlight of the hike, all the way down to San Cassiano.

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Störes Meadows – Pralongià Hiking Map

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Essential Trail Info

Where to Start this Hike | I started the hike at the paid Sciaré car park. Pay for parking using the parking machine or with the EasyPark app. Alternatively, you can start the hike anywhere in San Cassiano or Armentarola, since it’s a circular route. 

How to Get to Sciaré | The Sciaré car park – bus stop  is located in Val Badia between Armentarola and Passo Valparola. Use südtirolmobil to look up bus schedules.  

Hiking Season | June – October 

Trail Direction | The trail unfolds more beautifully if you ascend trail 24A and descend trail 22. 

Difficulty | From a technical standpoint, this is an easy hike, following smooth gravel tracks from start to finish. However, at 16.2 km and 661 m of elevation gain/loss, it requires a reasonable level of endurance.

Trail Variations | For a shorter and easier hike, I recommend riding the Piz Surega cable car in San Cassiano. From the mountain station, hike to Rifugio Ütia Bioch and onwards to Rifugio Alpino Pralongià. Descend Trail 22 to the Piz Surega valley station. This easy trail variation is 10 km and takes about 3 hours. The total elevation gain is only 170 meters, while the elevation loss is 608 meters.

Where to Eat | Rifugio Alpino Pralongià or Rifugio Malga Saraghes

Safety | This trail is also used by mountain bikers, so be aware of your surroundings and yield when necessary.

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Störes Meadows and Rifugio Pralongià Trail Description

Sciaré – Störes – Rifugio Pralongià (2:15 hours)

This hike is fairly straightforward. Starting at the Sciaré car park, cross the road. Follow trail 24B to Pralongià. The gravel track wraps around a large meadow. After crossing a bridge, turn right, and then immediately thereafter, turn left on 24A to Pralongià. Follow this forest road for an hour all the way to Störes Meadows. 

The trail unfurls across the wide-open meadows of Störes, carpeted in wildflowers in summer. 

At the junction, turn right to stay on 24A to Pralongià. The trail levels and it’s all too tempting to hike backwards to enjoy the views of Conturines, Campestrin, and Fanes. 

The summit ahead, marked by a modest timber cross, is Störes (2181 m). Follow the grassy path to reach the peak, which commands a 360° view of Marmolada, Sella, the Cir Group, and even the top of Civetta and Pelmo. 

From here, the trail follows the ridge to Rifugio Pralongià (2109 m), a popular gathering place for hungry hikers and bikers in summer. 

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Rifugio Pralongià – Rifugio Malga Saraghes (40 minutes)

Trail signs are located just below the hut. Follow trail 22 to Saraghes. Initially, the path is quite crowded, but as soon as you reach the trail 23 – 22 junction, most hikers and bikers veer left on trail 23. Bear right on trail 22 and enjoy the well-graded descent to Malga Saraghes.

It’s an absolute pleasure to meander across the meadows, dotted with hay huts, whilst looking upon the rugged walls of Conturines. 

With its small petting zoo and playground, Malga Saraghes (1837 m) naturally attracts families with children. 

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Rifugio Malga Saraghes – Piz Surega Valley Station – Armentarola – Sciaré  (1:15 hours)

The way down to the Piz Surega cable car valley station continues to be very gentle. No knee pain to report! 

After passing the cable car car park and a Hamburger snack bar, follow the paved road across the river. Turn right on trail 11 in the direction of Armentarola.

The final stretch of the hike runs parallel to the road. It’s initially uphill, which feels quite rude, but eventually levels. If you can cut this stretch out with a bus, go for it (you won’t miss anything). 

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Where to Stay in San Cassiano

San Cassiano, one of Alta Badia’s six mountain villages, consists of a charming pedestrianized center and the surrounding hamlets of Armentarola, Sciaré (or Saré), Costadedoi, Suracianins, and Rü, nestled between La Villa and Valparola Pass.

If you’re traveling without a car, I recommend staying somewhere central, walking distance to the San Cassiano town center and Surega cable car mountain station. Check out Ciasa Milandura (3-star apartments), Hotel Conturines (3-star hotel), Hotel Steinrösl (3-star hotel), Plang Farmhouse (3-star B&B), Lagacio Mountain Residence (4-star aparthotel), Hotel Diamant (4-star hotel), and Hotel Fanes (5-star hotel).

If you’re traveling with a car, also check out Hotel Ciasa Salares (4-star hotel in Armentarola),  B&B – Hotel Ciasa Rü Blanch (3-star hotel), Hotel Ciasa Ai Pini (3-star hotel).

Campers can stay in Camping Sass Dlacia, the highest campsite in the Dolomites.

If you’re visiting San Cassiano in autumn (October or November), I recommend staying in a hotel with an on-site restaurant. Between the summer and winter seasons, many shops and restaurants close, leaving limited dining and shopping options in the village.

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Alta Badia Travel Guides

Summer:

• Alta Badia Summer Guide
• Sass da Ciampac Summit Hike
• Rifugio Puez Day Hike
• Lake Pisciadù Day Hike
• Rifugio Fanes Day Hike
• Armentara Meadows Day Hike
• Sass de Putia Circuit Hike
• Path of the Larches
• Gran Cir

Autumn:

• Alta Badia Autumn Guide

Winter:

• Skiing in Alta Badia

Where to Stay:

• Alta Badia Hotels
• Review: Hotel Badia Hill 
• Review: AMA Stay
• Review: Posta Zirm Hotel
• Review: Les Dolomites Mountain Lodges

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