Faràngole Loop

This long and fascinating route draws a loop in the western part of the Dolomite group of the Pale di San Martino – or Pala Group -, around the range extending from the plateau of Rosetta up to the peak of Monte Mulaz and the pass named Passo Valles, between the valleys of Val Venegia and Valón de le Comèlle. Certainly, the most interesting part of the itinerary is when the itinerary crosses the so called Faràngole (along the track of Alta Via delle Dolomiti No. 2), which from Rifugio Pedrotti runs along the western side of Valón de le Comèlle, at high altitude, until it reaches the gap of Passo delle Faràngole, surrounded by remarkable and intact Dolomite landscape, usually visited only by mountaineers. The itinerary passes through two Dolomite huts, Rifugio Rosetta – or Rifugio Pedrotti – and Rifugio Mulaz – or Rifugio Giuseppe Volpi -, thus allowing the itinerary to be easily tackled even in two days.

The hike starts from the hut of Malga Fosse di Sopra (1,936 m asl), located near Passo Rolle, at the bottom of the southern walls of the grassy Punta Rolle. The first part of the route, which will lead to Rifugio Pedrotti, in the middle of the Pale di San Martino plateau, follows the beautiful path of the Signpost No. 712 “Sentiero dei Finanzieri” towards Rifugio Pedrotti / Rosetta. After climbing the Crode Rosse slope, next to the imposing southern wall of Cimon della Pala, the path joins the Signpost No. 701 which leads directly to Rifugio Pedrotti while going up the western slope of Cima Rosetta.

Once on the Pale di San Martino plateau, from Rifugio Pedrotti (2,358 m asl), the track proceeds along the Signpost No. 703 towards Passo delle Faràngole / Rifugio Mulaz, in a first downhill stretch that leads to the basin called Pian dei Cantóni, where Valón de le Comèlle begins. From Pian dei Cantóni, the trail of the Signpost No. 703 rises slightly in altitude, in order to proceed along the fascinating contour stretch of the “Sentiero delle Faràngole”. At times exposed but never technically demanding, the trail of Sentiero delle Farangole is normally rich with water springs, with small streams flowing from the basins that overlook the wide valley of Vallón de le Comèlle. When you reach the crossroads for Bivacco Brunner / Cima Vezzana, by Val Strut, keep the Signpost No. 703 towards Passo delle Faràngole / Rifugio Mulaz. You go up progressively on the bottom of the gully of Val Granda, arriving at the basin called Banca delle Fede, where the last equipped section of the path leading to the gap of Passo delle Faràngole begins. The amphitheater offered by Banca delle Fede is simply stunning, with a close-up view of a series of majestic peaks, including Cima dei Bureloni (3,120 m asl) to the southwest – reachable from the plateau on path marked with “B” -, Campanile (tr. isolated peak) and Cima di Val Grande (3.038 m asl) to the east and Campanile and Cima di Focobòn (3.054 m asl) to the north.

The last ascent leading to Passo delle Faràngole (2,808 m asl) alternates an initial stretch on a slippery gully with a final equipped section. Once on the gap, the sight opens wide to the west over the entire Val Venegia and Passo Rolle. The descent from the gap to the hut of Rifugio Mulaz is not particularly demanding; however, developing on the north-west side of the peak of Cima di Focobòn, it is often a bit humid and it is not uncommon to come across some sections with snow.

After an almost mandatory break at Rifugio Mulaz (2,571 m asl), the itinerary proceeds towards the gap of Passo Mulaz (2,619 m asl) following the Signpost No. 710. Once the gap is crossed, the path kindly descends to Val Venegia. Shortly before reaching the hut of Malga Venegiota, the track proceeds towards Baita Segantini / Passo Rolle, along the variant offered by Signpost No. 710A which allows you not to drop too low in altitude.

The last uphill stretch of this challenging itinerary tackles the climb that from the foot of the (former) Travignolo Glacier leads to the hut of Baita Segantini; if faced when rested, the climb would not be particularly hard; however, after a long day, it can be incredibly tiring. Once arrived at Baita Segantini with its iconic and super tourist basin overlooking the peak of Cimon della Pala, the route proceeds slightly uphill along the gravel road that leads to the pylons of Punta Rolle, located close to the top of the mount of Punta Rolle. From Punta Rolle, from which Malga Fosse is visible at the bottom, it will be sufficient to carefully descend along the steep grassy southern slope of the mountain, concluding a last stretch that is both fascinating and technical and offers, at the same time, a breathtaking view of the western Primiero and the Pale di San Martino from high up.

Paths

• From the hut of Malga Fosse di Sopra (1,936 m asl), follow the path of the Signpost No. 712 “Sentiero dei Finanzieri”, then the Signpost No. 701, towards Rifugio Pedrotti / Rosetta [2h 00],
• From the hut of Rifugio Pedrotti (2,358 m asl), proceed along the Signpost No. 703 “Sentiero delle Farangole” towards Passo delle Faràngole / Rifugio Mulaz [6h 00],
• From the hut of Rifugio Mulaz (2,571 m asl), follow the Signpost No. 710, then Signpost 710A towards Passo Rolle / Baita Segantini [7h 50],
• From the hut of Baita Segantini (2,170 m asl), follow the gravel road that leads to the pylons of the mount of Punta Rolle [8h 10],
• From Punta Rolle, descend the southern slopes until you get by Malga Fosse di Sopra [8h 30]. ✓