Valparola Pass Lagazuoi Hike

The Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut and the summit cross of the Lagazuoi behind it can be reached in a scenically and historically varied round hike from the Valparola pass, in addition to the much frequented accesses from the Falzarego pass or the Lago di Lagazuoi lake.

Route description Lagazuoi mountain hut

The hike proposed here to the Lagazuoi mountain hut starts from the Valparola pass, rich in history, located just beyond the South Tyrolean border in the province of Belluno.

From the Valparola Pass, briefly follow the pass road in the direction of Val Badia valley. A few hundred meters further on, on the right side of the road, hiking trail no. 20A branches off to the Forcela de Salares. It crosses the slopes, which are partly covered with grass and pines, partly with scree and gravel, and finally climbs in numerous small serpentines through the Forcella de Salares.

Once at the top, a breathtakingly beautiful view of the nearby and distant Dolomites opens up, of which the nearby Conturines peak and the Settsass towering behind it particularly catch the eye.

Continuing to follow path number 20A in the direction of the Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut, the hike now leads in a gentle ascent through the partly grassy, partly rugged, stone- and gravel-covered landscape at the base of the Lagazuoi mountain, in which an enchanting variety of delicate mountain flowers thrive. They include, for example, the extremely rare Triglav crepis, the stemless campion or the bright alpine poppy.

Finally, you reach the Lagazuoi pass, through which the rather steep hiking trail no. 401 climbs in numerous switchbacks to the Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut. Along the path, an officer's barracks and several Kaiserjäger guard posts remind us of the mountain warfare in the World War 1 that resulted in many losses.

After 650 meters of ascent, the Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut invites you to take a break in front of the breathtaking backdrop of the surrounding Dolomites. But before that you should not miss the climb to the nearby summit cross of the small Lagazuoi.

Following the wide hiking trail from the mountain hut, you will reach the wood-carved summit cross after a few minutes' walk, next to which a dizzyingly beautiful view of the Dolomites unfolds: The view sweeps from the nearby Conturines peak over striking mountain peaks such as the Tofane, the Piz Boe or the Sassongher to the graceful Val di Funes Odle peaks.

Way back from Lagazuoi mountain hut

From the Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut you walk back on the already known path through the Lagazuoi saddle to the last fork.

Here you keep this time the hiking trail no. 401 that leads to the Forcella Travenanzes in front of a breathtaking scenery.

At the pass at 2,005 m, path no. 402 branches off to the right. It approaches the rocky walls of the Lagazuoi, along which it briefly runs. If you look closely, you may discover the rare Moretti bellflower, a protected species, or the crested devil's claw, which thrive in midsummer, in the barren rock crevices.

Finally, the path descends in serpentines towards the Falzarego pass.

Just above the valley station of the Lagazuoi cable car, the Kaiserjägersteig trail branches off to the right. It first climbs through a scree cirque, then leads through trenches of the World War 1 (caution: take the lower path here, the upper one leads to the fixed rope route (via ferrata)) and finally descends to the starting point at the Falzarego pass.

Indicated walking times Lagazuoi mountain hut

Valparola pass - Forcela de Salares: 0:30 h

Forcela de Salares - Rifugio Lagazuoi mountain hut: 1:40 h

Infos Valparola Pass Lagazuoi Hike

• Duration:05:00 h
• Length:11.2 km
• Height gain:750 m

• Min. elevation:2100 m
• Max. elevation:2744 m

20.04.2023