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 a great spot to rest your legs and enjoy a lunch break with views of the Antelao massif and Cima Scotter.

From Rifugio Galassi, a two-hour descent takes you to your accommodation for the night: Rifugio Capanna degli Alpini. Arrive early, leave your backpack, and take a short 10-minute walk to Cascata delle Pile, a stunning waterfall that adds a perfect touch of adventure to conclude your first stage.

This section of the trek is all about the panoramic views over the valley, so let’s cross our fingers for clear skies! Today’s trek starts with a downhill stretch along the Torrente Oten, river that has carved its way through the Val d’Oten for centuries. After crossing the stream, the climb begins.

The ascent leads to Rifugio Chiggiato, located in the Marmarole Centrali. Here you can take a break, dig into some local dishes, and enjoy their terrace with views of the Marmarole and Antelao. Trust us, you’ll want to take your time in this spot.

From there, it’s a two-hour hike to Rifugio Baion, your accommodation for the night. This section is less steep but includes a rocky stretch along the southern wall of the Marmarole, with ropes to help you navigate safely. It’s an adventurous end to the day, but well 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.