Tour of the Southern Pala Mountains

This challenging itinerary is ideal for expert hikers looking for a full day experience, entirely immersed in the spectacular atmosphere offered by the peaks of the Pala Group. The route starts from the mid altitude of the high valley of Canali and passes through three main huts of the Pala Group, connecting together some of the main itineraries of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI).

The route starts from the location of Sabbionade / Madonna della Neve / Ritonda, in the high valley of Canali. It is fairly easy to get to the starting location by own means, with the availability of a parking lot by the buildings of Cant del Gal / Ritonda, where the Pradidali stream – impetuously flowing in the Pradidali Valley – flows into the Canali stream.

The first part of the route climbs along the path of the Signpost No. 709 towards Rifugio Pradidali. After walking in the forest and reaching the crossroads in the location of Portèla / Pedemonte (1,640 m asl), the trail proceeds along keeping the Signpost No. 709 which faces a steep stretch on rocky terrain. Particularly touristic and always well signposted, this path leads directly to the hut of Rifugio Pradidali (2,278 m asl).

From Rifugio Pradidali, the route proceeds on the left, heading NW, along the Signpost No. 715 towards the gap called Passo di Ball (2,443 m asl), already visible from the hut. After crossing a large basin of Dolomite rock, in a few minutes you will reach Passo di Ball; from here, after a short equipped stretch that is neither particularly exposed nor demanding, the route proceeds downhill towards the Val di Ròda. Then, the Signpost No. 715 continues flat up until reaching the location of Còl de le Féde, where a crossroads with the Signpost No. 702 – coming from San Martino di Castrozza – stands. From the crossroads the trail takes to the right path (Signpost No. 702) towards Rifugio Rosetta. After a rather long stretch with numerous hairpin bends, you reach the gap named Passo Val di Ròda (2,572 m asl) and, right after, the nearby hut of Rifugio Rosetta (2,578 m asl).

From Rifugio Rosetta, the itinerary continues with various ups and downs along what is one of the most classic crossings of the Pala Group Plateau (from W to E). The trail heads towards the E, following the Signpost No. 707; after a couple of km you will find a crossroads; here you keep to the left, always following the marks of the Signpost No. 707 towards Passo Canali / Rifugio Treviso – Canali, while walking along the beautiful lunar landscape of Riviera di Manna, a source of inspiration for Dino Buzzati’s famous book “Desert of the Tartars”. The path is well signposted and offers a beautiful view over the glacier of Fradusta (on the right side); after the long crossing you reach the crossroads by the saddle of Forcella di Miél (2,528 m asl), which overlooks the Costón del Mièl, where the path of the Signpost No. 705 climbs up from Val d’Angheraz. From here, the route continues on the right (always following the Signpost No. 707) until it reaches the gap of Passo Canali (2,469 m asl), located on the head of the Canali Valley, from where the last (long) downhill stretch that descends on the left side of the valley begins. The descent leads to the hut of Rifugio Treviso – Canali (1,630 m asl), from where the trail continues heading towards the bottom of the valley, along an initial stretch on a path that joins a gravel road which becomes paved after a while, leading directly to the starting point.

Paths

• From the location of Sabbionade / Ritonda, climb along the path of the Signpost No. 709 towards Rifugio Pradidali, passing by the intersection in the location of Portèla / Pedemonte (1,640 m asl) [2h 15],
• From the hut of Rifugio Pradidali (2,278 m asl), proceed on the left, towards the NW, towards the gap of Passo di Ball, on the Signpost No. 715 [2h 35],
• From Passo di Ball (2,443 m asl), proceed following the Signpost No. 715 towards Val di Ròda until getting by Còl de le Féde, then follow the Signpost No. 702 towards Rifugio Rosetta [4h 15],
• From the hut of Rifugio Rosetta (2,578 m asl), continue towards E, along the Signpost No. 707 towards Passo Canali / Rifugio Treviso – Canali, passing on the fork called Forcella di Miél (2,528 m asl) and the gap of Passo Canali (2,469 m asl) [7h 45],
• From the hut of Rifugio Treviso – Canali (1,630 m asl), descend towards the valley, arriving directly at the starting point [9h 00]. ✓