Viel del Pan and Alta Via della Cresta Trail, Passo Pordoi Hike, Dolomites

Sentiero Viel del Pan (Viel dal Pan in Ladin, Bindelweg in German) is a hiking trail which crosses the southern slopes of the Padon chain and delivers unparalleled views of Marmolada in the Italian Dolomites. 

This historic path was used by flour merchants to transport their goods from one valley to another.

The Viel del Pan hike starts at Passo Pordoi (Jouf de Pordoi in Ladin, Pordoijoch in German), the mountain pass that connects Canazei in Val di Fassa with Arabba in Livinallongo. If you’re based in Canazei, you can also reach the trailhead with the Canazei-Belvedere cableways. 

The complete Viel del Pan trail leads from Passo Pordoi all the way down to Lago di Fedaia. Hikers usually return to Passo Pordoi, or Canazei by bus. Rather than do a point-to-point hike, we decided to follow the Alta Via delle Creste del Padon (also called Alta Via della Cresta) along the main ridge of the Padon Chain to the Col del Cuc summit and then return to Passo Pordoi via the Viel del Pan trail.

While this circuit doesn’t follow the entire Viel del Pan trail, it samples a beautiful stretch of the route with the added bonus of hiking along a panoramic ridge with sweeping views of Sassolungo, Sella, Fanes, and of course the mighty queen herself, Marmolada (3343 m).

The Alta Via delle Creste del Padon is not marked on all trail maps, though the path is well-established. We only recommend hiking this high path in dry conditions.

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Viel del Pan Circuit Trail Map

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Viel del Pan & Col del Cuc Ridge Trail Description 

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Passo Pordoi to Rifugio Baita Fredarola (30 minutes)

The Viel del Pan trailhead is located across the Pordoi Souvenirs shop, behind Hotel Savoia. 

Follow trail 601 to a small chapel and then continue ascending around the solitary Sasso Beccé/Sas Becé mountain. 

At the saddle, head left. The track skirts Rifugio Sas Becé and leads to Rifugio Baita Fredarola.

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Rifugio Baita Fredarola – Col del Cuc – Rifugio Viel del Pan (1 hour)

From Rifugio Baita Fredarola, follow the right upper track (Trail 601).

After 120 meters, the trail splits. The Viel del Pan continues right. The Alta Via delle Creste del Padon veers left. It’s signed “Sentiero Attrezzato Delle Creste” (Trail 636). 

Follow the left path to the crest of the Padon Chain. 

The Padon chain is wedged between the Sella Group and the Marmolada Group. It’s a unique mountain chain because it doesn’t consist of limestone, or dolomite, but rather a black volcanic rock. 

With views of the Sella Group on your left and the Marmolada on your right, the path ascends to the panoramic summit of Col de Cuc. 

The trail continues west with views of Lago di Fedaia, backed by Monte Civetta and the major summits of the Fanes Group, Ampezzo Dolomites, and Sorapis Group. 

Eventually, the crest trail ends abruptly, just above the Wayna Fanes sign. 

Retrace your steps until you locate a path that descends on the south side (Marmolada side as opposed to the Sella side). This narrow path twists down tussock slopes and then continues west once again, just beneath the ridge.

The path returns to the crest.

After some time, the trail splits, with the left trail staying on the crest, and the right path descending towards Rifugio Viel del Pan. 

We stayed on the ridge. The path progresses across the Cresta Larice towards the thumb-shaped Sas da Ciapel/Sass Capel.  

Drop down to the notch between Cresta Larice and Sass da Ciapel and then make a sharp right. There’s light exposure on the descent. 

With your back towards Sas da Ciapel, cross the tussock slope to Rifugio Viel del Pan (5 minutes). 

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Rifugio Viel del Pan – Baita Fredarola – Passo Pordoi (1 hour)

Taking in the full sweep of the Marmolada Group and Lago di Fedaia, Rifugio Viel del Pan (2432 m) is a perfect destination for lunch, refreshments, or simply a break. 

The hut stands on the Viel del Pan trail. Simply follow the wide track back to Baita Fredarola, signed 40 min and Passo Pordoi, signed 1 hour. 

This easy walking path crosses the tussock slopes of the Col del Cuc.

When you reach Baita Fredarola, follow the familiar path down to Passo Pordoi. 

As you walk towards Sasso Beccé/Sas Becé mountain, notice the compact Sassolungo (Langkofel) group.

If your trip continues to Passo Sella, you can hike the Sassolungo Circuit Trail and climb the Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster.

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Where to Stay near Passo Pordoi

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Canazei, Val di Fassa

We stayed in Locanda Degli Artisti Art Hotel, a zero-emissions, boutique hotel in the village of Canazei (Cianacei in Ladin) in Val di Fassa. This unique hotel is a living art gallery, featuring original paintings, drawings, and sculptures in each room. We relished the hotel’s eclectic interiors,  innovative Ladin cuisine, and professional yet approachable staff. 

Rooms are immaculate, featuring hardwood floors, comfy beds with billowy bedding and stylish bathrooms with vertical tiling and oval-shaped showers. Some rooms are furnished with standing whirlpool bathtubs, infrared saunas, steam baths, and/or steam fireplaces. 

Read our Hotel Review: Locanda Degli Artisti Art Hotel. 

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Selva, Val Gardena

Selva is the perfect base camp for hiking Val de Chedul – Vallunga Valley Circuit starting in Selva, Sassolungo Circuit Trail and Via Ferrata Oskar Schuster starting at Passo Sella, the Col dala Pieres , Piz Duleda, and Via Ferrata Sass Rigais starting at the Col Raiser gondola mountain station.

Selva has no shortage of excellent accommodations, including Hotel Garni Morene (family-run guesthouse), Garni Sunela B&B (B&B), Garni Hotel Bel Vert (B&B), Hotel Freina (family-run 4-star hotel), Hotel Tyrol (5-star hotel).

We stayed in Hotel Rodella, which 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

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My Dolomites Travel & Hiking Guides

Road Trip Routes:

• 5-Day Dolomites Road Trip
• 7-Day Dolomites Road Trip
• 10-14 Day Dolomites Road Trip
• Munich to Dolomites Road Trip

Hiking:

• Day Hikes in the Dolomites

Where to Stay:

• Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer

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