Hiking the Wild Dolomites in Pale di San Martino

Arrive in San Martino di Castrozza (1,450m / 4,757') at your leisure (private transfers available on request) and check into your hotel. The rocky pinnacles of the Pale di San Martino Massif rise above this small Alpine town, while surrounding forests and meadows give it a distinctive mountain character. San Martino has been welcoming visitors since the mid-1800s, when the first English and German mountaineers came to explore its peaks.

A gentle introduction to the wild heart of the Dolomites. A private transfer takes you to Passo Rolle (1,984 m / 6,509'), where the trail begins through forests and alpine meadows, with herds grazing beneath the towering walls of the Pale. 
Along the way, rustic huts line the route, their scent of polenta or fresh ricotta inviting you to pause.
This first hiking day provides a gradual start, ending with a return to San Martino di Castrozza for another comfortable hotel night before the more challenging days ahead. For those who wish to go further, the route continues with a climb to a 2,333m / 7,654' peak. From this natural balcony, the Pale di San Martino stand like a fortress above the quiet Paneveggio forests - a tough but rewarding introduction.
(~4 hours hiking, 12km / 7,2 miles, 585m / 1,930' ascent and descent or ~5,5 hours hiking, 16km / 9,6 miles, 795m / 2,623' ascent and descent.)

After a short morning transfer, you’ll step onto a historic trail once patrolled by border guards. The climb leads through alpine pastures and rocky slopes to a broad high plateau at around 2,600m / 8,530'. Here the horizons open wide, and those who wish can add an optional ascent to a 2,743m / 8,999' summit for an unforgettable view. The day ends at a mountain rifugio, simple and welcoming, perfectly placed to catch the sunrise.
(~3,5 hours hiking, 6,3 km / 3,9 miles, 713m / 2,339' ascent, 66m / 217' descent. With summit ~4,5 hours hiking, 8,4km / 5,04 miles, 895m / 2,953' ascent, 252m / 827' descent.)

Today’s route crosses some of the wildest terrain in the Pale di San Martino. From your mountain hut, the trail winds across a barren plateau and over high passes, where silence and stone create a world of their own. A detour leads to a panoramic summit at nearly 3,000m / 9,678', offering one of the most sweeping views of the range. The day ends at a cozy rifugio at 2,278m / 7,474', simple but welcoming, where a nourishing dinner and the warmth of mountain camaraderie await.
(~5 hours hiking, 10km / 6 miles, 460m / 1,517' ascent, 760m / 2,507' descent.)

Today the route leaves the high, rocky world of the Pale di San Martino and descends toward greener slopes and deep valleys. The trail winds down through uneven and exposed sections that demand surefootedness, crossing remnants of old shepherd life before entering the stillness of spruce forests. The day ends at a mountain rifugio at 1,631m / 5,351'  - simple and welcoming - where a warm meal and a restful night in the forest await.
(~4 hours hiking, 9km / 5,4 miles, 360m / 1,187' ascent, 1,000m / 3,299' descent.)

Your final day in the Pale di San Martino leads across high mountain passes and down into broad valleys. The path climbs through rocky slopes and meadows to reach open saddles with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. From here, the route gradually leaves the rugged heart of the Dolomites behind. The journey ends at a mountain pass, where your adventure concludes, leaving you with the imprint of wild trails and simple mountain life.
(~4 hours hiking, 8km / 4,8 miles, 744m / 2,454' ascent, 1,000m / 3,299' descent. In case of bad weather, a lower and safer route through forests and pastures leads you gently down the valley.)

Breakfast and departure at your discretion (private transfer available on request).