contact@bookatrekking.com +31 (0)85 01613 54

Intermediate Alta Via della Marmotta - Accommodation Before and After

Duration

Total 5 days

Average 5 h 52m
Distance

Total 37.1 km / 23.1 mi

Average 12.4 km / 7.7 mi
Ascent

Total +2300 m / +7546 ft

Average +767 m / +2515 ft
Descent

Total -2450 m / -8038 ft

Average -817 m / -2679 ft

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ

> Accommodation before and after the trek included – arrive relaxed, leave fulfilled
> Quieter trails through dramatic Dolomite landscapes
> Rocky, exposed passages with fixed cables for an extra challenge

Escape the busy trails and discover the quiet side of the Dolomites on the Alta Via della Marmotta. This 5-day route takes you through untamed landscapes, where thundering waterfalls, hidden lakes, and empty mountain passes create a sense of solitude you won’t find on the more crowded Alta Vias. With your first and last nights included in the charming alpine towns of San Vito di Cadore and Auronzo, all you need to do is lace up your boots and hit the trail.

Ideal for hikers with previous mountain experience who are looking for an authentic challenge, this trek moves from forested paths to rocky, exposed terrain, offering epic views and ever-changing landscapes. Along the way to Rifugio Baion, you'll encounter around four to five short, rocky and exposed sections equipped with fixed cables. These passages range from easy to intermediate in difficulty and do not require special technical equipment, but sure-footedness and a good head for heights are essential. You'll also pass highlights like the dramatic Marmarole peaks, the serene Santa Caterina Lake, and the roaring Cascata delle Pile. Evenings are spent in cozy rifugios where warm welcomes and filling mountain meals round off each day.

To make things even easier, the trek includes overnight stays before and after the hike. Start in the laid-back mountain town of San Vito di Cadore and end in Auronzo with a proper bed and hot shower. No rushing, just a complete, well-rounded Dolomites adventure.

Itinerary

Day

1

Arrival in San Vito di Cadore

Today, you’ll arrive in the village of San Vito di Cadore, where your accommodation awaits. Surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomites, this alpine retreat offers a peaceful atmosphere. Just 20 minutes by bus from Cortina d’Ampezzo, it’s a great starting point for your Alta Via della Marmotta journey. Savor a local dish for dinner, rest well, and gear up for the adventure ahead!

Albergo Antelao (San Vito di Cadore)

Info

Day

2

San Vito di Cadore - Rifugio Pietro Galassi

Duration: 04:30 h

Distance: 7.5 km / 4.66 mi

Ascent: 1110 m / 3642 ft

Descent: 100 m / 328 ft

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. Rifugio San Marco is a lovely stop for lunch and a chance to enjoy the mountain scenery if you're willing to make a detour. If you'd like to include this stop, follow Route Option 2, which takes you past Rifugio San Marco. 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.

Rifugio Pietro Galassi

Info

Day

3

Rifugio Pietro Galassi - Rifugio Baion (with fixed cables)

Duration: 07:00 h

Distance: 15.9 km / 9.88 mi

Ascent: 890 m / 2920 ft

Descent: 1080 m / 3543 ft

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 Rifugio Chiggiato, the trail continues at a higher altitude along the southern wall of the Marmarole. Along the way, you'll encounter around four to five short, rocky and exposed sections equipped with fixed cables to help you navigate the trickier passages. These sections range from easy to intermediate in difficulty and do not require any special equipment, but you should be comfortable on rocky terrain and have a good head for heights. Extra caution is advised in rainy or wet conditions, as both the rocks and cables can become slippery. These cabled passages add a touch of adventure to the final stretch before reaching Rifugio Baion, your home for the night.

Rifugio Baion

Info

Day

4

Rifugio Baion to Auronzo di Cadore

Duration: 06:05 h

Distance: 13.7 km / 8.51 mi

Ascent: 300 m / 984 ft

Descent: 1270 m / 4167 ft

This is it, your final stretch on the Alta Via della Marmotta! It’s mostly downhill today, so take it easy on your knees and enjoy the ride. Along the trail, Rifugio Ciaréido offers a good spot for a snack or water refill before continuing north toward Rifugio Monte Agudo.

After passing Pian de la Mandra, you’ll arrive at Rifugio Monte Agudo, your last hut on the route. From here, you can continue down to Auronzo on foot or give your legs a rest by taking the chairlift. You can also board the chairlift a little further down at Malon Basso, just below the rifugio. The chairlift operates from mid-June to mid-September, so check the schedule here if you're hiking early or late in the season.

Another fun way to finish the trek is by taking the Monte Agudo Slide down the mountain. You can find more information, including opening times and prices, on the Monte Agudo website.

If you choose to continue on foot, the trail winds through valleys and forests and then follows the shoreline of Santa Caterina Lake. Take a moment to enjoy the view across the water. From there, it’s a short walk into Auronzo di Cadore, where your adventure comes to an end.

Important: We will do our utmost to book your accommodation in Auronzo di Cadore. However, due to the area's popularity and limited availability, it may be necessary to arrange lodging in one of the nearby towns instead. In that case, you'll need to make your way from Auronzo di Cadore to your hotel for the night.

Albergo Diana (Auronzo di Cadore)

Info

Day

5

Departure day

The final day is here. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, check out of your accommodation, and continue on with the next chapter of your journey.

See entire itinerary Hide entire itinerary

Contact our Trekking Expert

Jelle Tekstra

Included

Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Alta Via della Marmotta. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Accommodation

During your Alta Via della Marmotta, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. We normally book dormitories, but private rooms are available upon request and cost €75 extra per room per night. If no private rooms are available, we will automatically book a bed in a dormitory.
Accommodation before and after the tour

Accommodation before and after the trek is included. Breakfast is (if possible) part of your stay.
Half board in huts (where possible)

Accommodation in the huts includes dinner and breakfast, unless otherwise indicated in the exclusive list. This allows you to travel lighter and not have to worry about an extra meal. Please note, however, that lunch is not included, but can be purchased at the huts. Beverages may also be charged separately at some huts.
Breakfast in hotels (where possible)

Accommodation in the hotels includes breakfast whenever possible. We will arrange this for you as much as possible in advance. Please note that lunch and dinner are not included, but can be ordered at the accommodation or in the village.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.
Transfers

Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas, ferries, etc.
Lunch

Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. Many huts offer packed lunches, which can usually be requested the night before. Alternatively, you can stop for lunch at mountain huts along the way.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Personal expenses

Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.
Drinks at Rifugio Pietro Galassi

If Rifugio Pietro Galassi is part of your itinerary and you are spending the night there, please note that drinks are not included in half board and must be paid for separately on site.