Hiker watching sunset light on Pale di San Martino mountains under a rainbow.
Hiker with backpack walking on rocky trail below massive gray mountain peaks under blue sky.
Rifugio Rosetta mountain hut nestled in rocky terrain below large Dolomite peaks under blue sky.
Small white and stone chapel in alpine meadow beneath towering rocky mountain peaks.
Alpine village of San Martino di Castrozza nestled on green hillside below rocky mountains.
Hiker with backpack looking at rugged mountains near Passo Rolle in summer.
Alpine lakes nestled in valleys surrounded by forested mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky, Colbricon Lakes.
Summer view of Pale di San Martino mountains with evergreen trees and blue sky.
Alpenglow illuminates rugged mountain peaks reflected in a calm alpine lake near a wooden cabin.
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Pale di San Martino Highlights

3 days / 2 nights

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Stay in a cozy hotel in San Martino di Castrozza while exploring the Dolomites’ most dramatic corner, the lunar-like landscapes of Pale di San Martino.

Starting Point

San Martino Di Castrozza

Finish Point

San Martino Di Castrozza

Fitness Level

3/5

Technical Level

4/5

Season

From July to September

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Tour Type

Center-Based

Daily Distance

4 – 6 mi

Daily Elevation

1050 – 3740 ft

Highlights

  • Cross the lunar-like Altopiano delle Pale, with an optional walk to Cima Rosetta
  • Explore WWI trenches and panoramic ridges on Monte Cavallazza
  • Relax by the alpine Colbricon Lakes in Paneveggio Nature Park
  • Visit iconic Baita Segantini beneath the towering Cimon della Pala
  • Unwind in a cozy hotel in San Martino di Castrozza
  • Extend your adventure with an optional hut night at Rifugio Rosetta

Start planning today!

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Technical level
4/5

The tour combines a high-altitude plateau day from San Martino di Castrozza with two shorter loops out of Passo Rolle. The plateau day crosses the Altopiano delle Pale, a surreal karst plateau of pale, weathered limestone where CAI-marked trails need sure-footedness on uneven rocky ground. The climb on foot below Rifugio Rosetta has short cable sections and exposed parts. The Passo Rolle days to Monte Cavallazza, Laghi di Colbricon, Monte Castellaz and Baita Segantini run on well-marked alpine paths at lower elevation, with some steep climbs and descents on Monte Cavallazza and Monte Castellaz. No via-ferrata kit or helmet is required.

High-alpine terrainRocky & unevenExposed terrainMixed terrain
Read our full hiking difficulty guide

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Are you looking for a good adventure and limitless flexibility? Then you should try out a self-guided tour, perfect for independent explorers who want to set their own pace. Without the need to stick to a group schedule, you’re free to linger at scenic viewpoints while the logistics are taken care of in advance.

INCLUDED

2 nights in 3-star hotel with breakfast
Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information
GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app
Tour design and organization
Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Cable car and gondola tickets
Bus transport
Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer
on request
Extra night in Rifugio Rosetta
+110 €
Extra nights in San Martino di Castrozza
on request
Hotel upgrades
on request
Single supplement
+180 €/person
Accommodation levelComfort

Carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs, all with private en-suite rooms and breakfast included. Expect comfortable, well-appointed rooms with attentive hospitality, typically in convenient and scenic locations; some properties also offer on-site dining.

These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

Spend three unforgettable days hiking through the Pale di San Martino, the most expansive and arguably most dramatic, out-of-this-world experience in the Dolomites.

With its jagged limestone spires and vast lunar-like plateau, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a landscape that feels closer to a dream than reality. Best of all, you’ll explore it by day and return each evening to the comfort of a cozy hotel in San Martino di Castrozza, with no packing or moving between accommodations.

Your three-day itinerary will take you across sweeping ridgelines and stony moonscapes, through peaceful alpine meadows and past iconic lakes.

One of the highlights is no doubt the extraordinary Altopiano delle Pale, a surreal high-altitude karst plateau suspended between 2,500 and 2,800 meters. Once part of an ancient coral reef, this otherworldly terrain was shaped by millions of years of geological transformation. Today, its stark beauty, haunting silence, and ever-changing light make it one of the most mesmerizing hiking destinations in the Alps.

You can also add Cima Rosetta for panoramic views, wander to the tranquil Colbricon Lakes, and pass remnants of World War I history hidden in the cliffs.

And for those seeking a deeper mountain experience, there’s an option to extend your tour with an overnight stay at Rifugio Rosetta. This mountain hut, perched high on the plateau, offers a chance to watch the sunset from above the clouds and take the cable car and gondola down the next morning.

We take care of the details so you can fully immerse yourself: handpicked lodging, meticulously crafted route notes and maps.

All you need to do is lace up your boots and step into a world where nature takes center stage, and every moment feels extraordinary.

Ready to discover the Dolomites?


Frequently Asked Questions

No. Day 1 starts from your hotel in San Martino di Castrozza in the morning, so plan to arrive the evening before. An extra night can be added on request.

Breakfast at your hotel is included. On the trail you can have lunch at the mountain huts, and in the evening you can choose from the restaurants in San Martino di Castrozza. If you add a night at Rifugio Rosetta, dinner and breakfast at the hut are included.

No. You stay in the same hotel every night, so your luggage stays there. If you add a night at Rifugio Rosetta, take only what you need for one night and leave the rest at the hotel.

We can book a private transfer, which takes about 2 hours. By public transport the journey takes about 4 to 5 hours, via Mestre and Feltre.

No. The hut has only shared rooms with 4 to 8 beds.

Although hiking in light rain is manageable as long as proper attire is worn, it is crucial to note that hiking during a storm can be extremely dangerous. It is recommended to schedule hikes early in the day during the summer months to avoid thunderstorms. However, if the forecast predicts severe weather, it is best to reschedule, or we can advise you on a different tour option.

It depends on the tour, as some routes run well above 2000 or even 2500 meters of elevation. Therefore, they are impassable in snowy conditions, limiting the visiting season to the summer and early autumn days between late June and early October.

However, some of our holidays keep to lower elevations, so hiking in early spring or late autumn is still possible. You can read more extensively about it on our subpage about the Dolomites.

All the accommodations offer vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast. You also will not have any trouble finding such menus at restaurants. When you eat at mountain huts, though, they might not serve vegan meals. In such cases, it is best to bring your own food.

Hassle-Free

We handle route planning, accommodations, transfers, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

Book With Confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Tried & Tested Adventures

Only the best walking holidays in the Dolomites, cherry-picked by our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region.

Unbeatable Support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, bringing you a better experience by making your well-being our number one priority.

from 540 € /person