Trek to Rifugio San Nicolò

The Tour

Nice hike in San Nicolò Valley

moderate

9.7 km

3:00 h

225 m

This wonderful hike takes you to Passo San Nicolò and the mountain hut of the same name situated on a green expanse. The natural scenery which surrounds this place makes it one of the most fascinating spots in the Dolomites. From up there, you enjoy a unique view of a sea of peaks, the most impressive of which is the south face of the Marmolada.

Author

visit trentino

Updated: September 06, 2019

Details

Difficulty

moderate

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

2322 m

Lowest point

1721 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Safety information

1) Prepare your itinerary

2) Choose a route that is suitable for your skill level

3) Choose suitable equipment and gear

4) Consult the snow/weather bulletins

5) Heading out on your own is more risky

6) Leave information on your itinerary and on the approximate time you expect to return

7) Do not hesitate to seek the support of a professional

8) Pay attention to the information and signs that you find along the trail

9) Do not hesitate to follow your steps backwards

10) In case of an accident, sound the alarm by calling the emergency number 112.

Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.

Equipment

Hiking boots, a change of clothes, a camera.

Turn-by-turn directions

Start

Sauch - Val San Nicolò (1720 m)

Coordinates:

Geographic

46.424712, 11.745696

UTM

32T 710969 5144901

Destination

Rifugio Passo San Nicolò

Turn-by-turn directions

After parking your vehicle at a place called Sauch (1737 m), take the small paved road that climbs towards the top of the valley. You rapidly gain height as you walk first past clusters of typical mountain huts surrounded by ‘manicured’, vivid green meadows and then through the hamlet of Mezzaselva (1770 m).

You are now on a dirt road interspersed with the odd cobbled stretch. Keep following the signs for trail 608 (also marked ‘Rifugio Passo di San Nicolò ’) which takes you past a place called ‘ Ciamp de Forcia ’ (2011 m) .

Soon after that, the small road comes to an end as it reaches a fountain (2035 m). The only way is up, so it’s quite obvious where to go from here: up a rather steep path along the green slope.

After climbing a last incline, you reach a platform which is dominated by the massive Col Ombert peak. Proceed to the right in order to reach the beautiful Rifugio Passo San Nicolò where it’s time for a well-deserved rest. The spot is magical.

Return to the starting place by the same route.

Getting There

Getting there

In order to get to the car park at Sauch in Val San Nicolò (1997 m) , follow the SS48 (Valli di Fiemme e Fassa national road) up to Pozza di Fassa. There, branch off towards Val San Nicolò (signs). Drive past the restaurants-cum-refuges Soldanella and Crocefisso and proceed further along the valley until you reach the car park (parking fee payable) situated at an altitude of 1737 m.

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Statistics