Fiera di Primiero: 13 Best Hikes in the Dolomites (Pale di San Martino)
Fiera di Primiero: 13 Best Hikes in the Dolomites
by Luca Mattiello – Volpi del Vajolet
🚗 How to get to Fiera di Primiero
Fiera di Primiero is located in Trentino, northeastern Italy. The closest airports are Venice Marco Polo (~2h drive) and Verona Villafranca (~2h 30min drive). From Venice, take the A27 motorway towards Belluno, then follow signs for Feltre and Fiera di Primiero. There is no direct train connection — a car or rental car is recommended. The main villages in the valley are Fiera di Primiero, Imer, Mezzano, Siror and Transacqua.
Best season: June to October for summer hikes. The valley is also beautiful in winter for snowshoeing.
1. Suspension Bridge in Val Noana
If you love suspension bridges (often called "Tibetan bridges" in Italy), this is a must. The Ponte Val de Riva is a 73-metre-long rope bridge with a 30-metre drop below — spectacular and perfectly safe, even for children. It can easily be combined with a hike up to Rifugio Boz (see below) for a more complete day out in the stunning Val Noana gorge.
2. Rifugio Boz – Val Noana
A wonderful and relatively quiet hike through the Val Noana gorge, part of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. The trail climbs gently through forests with views opening onto the Sass de Mura limestone walls. The refuge sits on a green plateau with a beautiful mountain backdrop — a great place for lunch or a coffee. The trail is never too steep, making it accessible to most hikers.
3. Rifugio Treviso – Val Canali
One of the most accessible hikes in the Pale di San Martino, suitable for all abilities. The trail runs mostly through larch and fir forest following the Canali stream, ending at the historic Rifugio Treviso (built in the late 1800s), which offers stunning panoramic views of the Pale di San Martino spires. In autumn, the larch trees turn golden-orange, making this one of the most scenic hikes in the valley. A perfect option for families or those looking for a relaxed day in the mountains.
4. Chiesetta di San Silvestro from Imer
As you drive up to San Martino di Castrozza, you may have noticed a tiny white chapel seemingly embedded in the cliff face — that's the Chiesetta di San Silvestro, dating back to the 13th century. This loop hike takes you there, passing through traditional mountain hamlets and offering sweeping views over the entire Primiero valley. The route is not technically difficult, but signage is sparse in a few spots, so a map or GPS is helpful.
5. Rifugio Pradidali – Heart of the Pale di San Martino
This is the most demanding hike on the list — but also the most rewarding. The Rifugio Pradidali sits at the foot of some of the most famous rock towers in the Dolomites, surrounded by vertical walls and the towering Cima Canali. The refuge is a legendary base for climbers and is a key point on the Palaronda Trek, a multi-day route connecting the refuges of the Pale di San Martino. Even if you're not a climber, the scenery from here is breathtaking — one of the great mountain views in the Italian Alps.
6. Malga Fossetta and Passo Palughet
A great loop hike on the border between Primiero and the Agordino valley. The climb to Passo Palughet is steep in places with some rocky sections, but the ridge offers spectacular views of the Piz de Sagron and Sass de Mura — two dramatic Dolomite peaks. The hike ends at Malga Fossetta, a traditional Alpine dairy farm serving local polenta and Tosela cheese. Signage can be inconsistent, so bring a map.
7. Dismoni from Siror – San Valentino Chapel
A quieter loop hike that most tourists completely overlook. The route from Siror climbs through forest tracks and old stone paths to the Dismoni plateau, with a detour to the beautiful Chiesetta di San Valentino, which offers panoramic views of the Pale di San Martino. This trail works well in every season — cool forest walks in summer, golden larches in autumn, snowshoeing in winter.
8. Rifugio Petina from Siror
A gentle valley-floor loop hike, ideal for families or days when you want an easy outing. The Rifugio Petina sits in a peaceful setting with views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is accessible even in early spring and late autumn. Particularly magical with a fresh dusting of snow.
9. Rifugio Vederna and Monte Vederna
A longer but very rewarding hike to one of the valley's hidden gems. The Rifugio Vederna sits on a high, secluded plateau with well-kept pastures and a small chapel dedicated to the Madonna della Neve. The views take in both the Pale di San Martino and the Vette Feltrine. The trail follows forest roads and old stone paths — not technically difficult, but long. A great option for experienced hikers looking to escape the crowds.
10. Anello dei Cenguei – Panoramic Loop
A beautiful and easy panoramic loop through well-kept Alpine meadows with sweeping views of the Pale di San Martino, Vette Feltrine and the Primiero valley. The trail runs mostly on low-mountain roads and tracks — no technical sections. An excellent choice for families or as a warm-up hike on arrival day.
11. Rifugio Petina from Piereni – Val Canali
An alternative approach to the Rifugio Petina, starting from the picturesque hamlet of Piereni in the Val Canali. A calm and relaxed hike through mountain forest with views of the Pale di San Martino spires. Works well year-round and can be combined with a visit to the Val Canali. Hikers based near San Martino di Castrozza will find this easily accessible.
12. Lago di Calaita from Malga Lozen
The Lago di Calaita is one of the most photogenic Alpine lakes in the Dolomites — its still waters perfectly mirror the rocky towers of the Pale di San Martino. This approach from Malga Lozen is one of the shortest and easiest, making it ideal for families or a half-day outing. Reachable from Primiero via the Totoga tunnel or Passo Gobbera.
13. Anello dei Ruderi di Malga Pradidali – Val Canali Loop
A short and scenic loop around the Val Canali, one of the most beautiful side valleys of the Pale di San Martino. The route passes the ruins of Malga Pradidali and gives impressive close-up views of the Dolomite walls. Despite being short, the landscape is dramatic. A great option for a morning walk or for hikers who want a gentle introduction to the area.
📋 Quick reference – all 13 hikes at a glance
| Hike | Difficulty | Distance | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Suspension Bridge Val Noana | 🟢 Easy | ~3 km | low |
| 2. Rifugio Boz | 🟡 Medium | ~8 km | ~500m |
| 3. Rifugio Treviso | 🟢 Easy | ~8 km | 450m |
| 4. Chiesetta di San Silvestro | 🟡 Medium | 12 km | 750m |
| 5. Rifugio Pradidali | 🔴 Hard | ~16 km | 1100m |
| 6. Malga Fossetta & Passo Palughet | 🟡 Medium | 7.5 km | 550m |
| 7. Dismoni from Siror | 🟢 Easy–Med | 9 km | 500m |
| 8. Rifugio Petina from Siror | 🟢 Easy | ~6 km | low |
| 9. Rifugio Vederna | 🟡 Medium | 16 km | 850m |
| 10. Anello dei Cenguei | 🟢 Easy | 9 km | ~400m |
| 11. Rifugio Petina from Piereni | 🟢 Easy | ~6 km | low |
| 12. Lago di Calaita | 🟢 Easy | 7.5 km | 200m |
| 13. Anello Ruderi Malga Pradidali | 🟢 Easy | 5 km | ~250m |
This post was written by Luca Mattiello, based on personal experience hiking in the Primiero valley. All trails were walked and described first-hand. For the Italian version of this post, click here.
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