Alta Via della Marmotta Trek

The Alta Via della Marmotta kicks off in the village of San Vito di Cadore, which is just a 20-minute bus ride away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, and is surrounded by famous Dolomite peaks like Antelao and Pelmo. The trail officially begins at Via Belvedere, which takes you straight into the mountains. Your first stop? Rifugio Scotter-Palatini, where you can take a breather, enjoy a snack, and refill your water bottles before diving deeper into the adventure.

The journey continues along mountain paths with great views of Antelao. After traversing Forcella Piccola, a broad saddle atop Val d’Oten, you'll reach Rifugio Galassi, perched on the northern slopes of Antelao. This rifugio, which is also part of the Alta Via 4, is your accommodation for the night.

From Rifugio Galassi, it’s a relaxed two-hour descent to Rifugio Capanna degli Alpini. Before moving on, take a quick detour—a short ten-minute walk brings you to Cascata delle Pile, a stunning waterfall that adds a little extra magic to this stage.

After that, the trail follows the Torrente Oten, a river that has shaped the Val d’Oten for centuries. It’s an easy downhill stretch before crossing the stream, where the climb begins.

The ascent leads to Rifugio Chiggiato, perched in the Marmarole Centrali. This is a perfect spot to pause, refuel with some local dishes, and soak up the views from the terrace. With the Marmarole and Antelao towering around you, it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to stay a little longer.

From there, it’s a steady two-hour hike to Rifugio Baion, your stop for the night. The trail isn’t too steep, but you’ll hit a rocky section along the southern wall of the Marmarole, with some fixed ropes to help you along. It’s an adventurous way to wrap up the day, but totally worth the effort.

This is it—your final stretch on the Alta Via della Marmotta! It’s mostly downhill today, so go easy on those knees and enjoy the ride.

About an hour in, you’ll reach either Rifugio Chiggiato or Rifugio Ciaréido, both located at the base of the Marmarole Mountains above Calalzo di Cadore. The huts are just 15 minutes apart, and are your last stop for a snack or water refill before the final descent.

From there, the trail winds through valleys and forests, eventually leading you to the emerald waters of Santa Caterina Lake. Pause on the bridge to take in the view, you made it! After that, it’s a short walk to Auronzo di Cadore, where your adventure comes to an end.