Palaronda Trek
Gourmet tour in wild rocky landscape
Cimo della Pala, Rifugio Rosetta, Passo Pradiadali, the names melt in the mouth.
And indeed, the Pala Dolomites are something for alpine connoisseurs. Be it for ski tourers, freeriders, climbers (see also the Spigolo Velo experience report) and especially for mountaineers and hikers. Although the summit panorama is characterized by steep pinnacles and towers, mountain forests, plateaus and many fantastic hiking trails are hidden in between.
Lovingly and elaborately laid out, they make it relatively easy to cross the Pala Dolomites with a mountain guide on the Palaronda Trek.
In addition to the landscape and the route, a perfect crossing also includes the bases along the way. On the Palaronda Trek, the selected high mountain huts are another highlight: the cuisine and service are without question "Best of the Alps". You can look forward to it...
More info about the Palaronda Trek?
Then visit the vivalpin.blog!
Here you will find important information on pricing and cancellation policies
Program and schedule
- Mountain guide with the appropriate qualifications
- 1 x overnight stay in a middle-class hotel in San Martino di Castrozza
- 3 x overnight stays in huts and private mountain inns
- Rich breakfast and multi-course dinner menu in the accommodation
Additional costs:
- Arrival
- Snacks
- Possibly mountain railroads
- Free participation in our online training: Crossing the Alps - Preparation
See also the story in the vivalpin.blog.
Day 1: The sightseeing day. From the Rolle Pass, the Pala shows its best side. It's not for nothing that the Cimon della Pala is called the "Matterhorn of the Dolomites". Against this fantastic backdrop, you walk high above the valley of San Martino di Castrozza to Crode Rosse and Col Verde. From here, the descent to the hotel in San Martino is just a leisurely encore (walking time 3 hours)
Day 2: Over the Col de Fede (2,278 m) and the Val di Roda pass (2,572 m), the elaborate hiking trail leads comfortably through wild high mountain scenery. In the afternoon, we recommend climbing the panoramic summit of Cima Rosetta (2,743 m). Overnight stay at the Rifugio Rosetta. (Ascent 1,300 m / walking time 6 h)
Day 3: The Cima di Fradusta, with its 2,939 m summit height, just scratches the three-thousand-metre mark. But the Pala summits are not measured by their height anyway. With the crazy rock castles of Pala di San Martino, Saas Maor and Cima della Madonna, it's only the look that counts... On the way, we even pass one of the few remaining Pala glaciers. The destination of today's stage is the Rifugio Pradidali opposite Saas Maor and Cima Canali. (Ascent 600 m / walking time 5 h)
Day 4: Different routes and variations are possible today. The easiest leads downhill into Val Pradidali before the sky-high east face of Saas Maor. Dilapidated alpine pastures line the path into Val Canali to the day's destination, the Rifugio Treviso. Past the ruins of Alpe Malga Pradidali to Malga Canali. (near the lake of Villa Welsperg, mega location in front of the Pala panorama). On hiking trail no. 707 to the stage destination, the Treviso hut. (Ascent 500 m / walking time 5 h)
Day 5: Over the past few days, we have been impressed by the huge rock castles of the Pala peaks. After the ascent to the Passo di Canali at 2,469 m, you will be surprised to see that the Pala also has another side. The Pala plateau extends as a primeval relic in the north of the Pala. The Palaronda trek comes full circle in the late afternoon when you arrive at the Rifugio Rosetta. (Ascent 1,000 m / walking time 6 h)
Note on program changes:
All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The provisional tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The final program will be decided by the guide on site.
You can expect up to 1,300 meters of ascent and 5 hours of ascent and descent on the daily stages. On the long stages on the first and last day, you can use the Rosetta cable car to shorten the ascent by a few meters. Prerequisites for the Palaronda Trek are surefootedness and fitness for hikes of up to 7 hours (pure walking time) with approx. 8 kg of luggage. The route is technically easy and without climbing passages. There are easy and moderately difficult mountain paths. If accompanied by your guide, the route is also suitable for sure-footed beginners in good physical condition. Good preparation for multi-day hikes is half the battle: Get used to your mountain boots and to carrying your rucksack. The best way to practise this is on hikes with comparable differences in altitude. For your targeted preparation, we recommend our intensive training for surefootedness and a head for heights.
You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an email!

"For me, the Palaronda Trek is the perfect mix of an enjoyable hike and incredible scenery. There is hardly any other landscape in the Alps with such wildness and such extreme contrasts. The relatively small differences in altitude of the individual stages and the short walking times also suit this enjoyable tour."
Thomas Storck,
UIMLA mountain hiking guide
Expert for Alpine crossings
Member of the VIVALPIN Competence Team