Vertical Rosetta

This itinerary develops along the classic route that climbs up to Cima Rosetta, directly from the center of the village of San Martino di Castrozza. In recent years, the route has also been the theater of the running “vertical” race named Rosetta Verticale (where the best athletes reach the summit in just over 50 ‘…).

The route starts from the center of the village of San Martino di Castrozza (1,470 m asl), but it is also possible to start directly from the large parking lot at the starting point of the Ski Area Colverde. Starting from the center of San Martino di Castrozza, the trail goes up along the steep path that starts on the right, shortly after passing the bridge from which the street of Via Pezgaiart begins. Once reached the basecamp of the Ski Area Colverde, after passing the gondola station on the right, go up for a few hundred meters along the ski slope named Colverde. From the first large bend of the ski slope, which turns towards the S, the itinerary continues on the path (marked by a sign stating “Rosetta Verticale”) which climbs into the forest with a series of narrow hairpin bends, just below the line of the gondola. This part of the trail is perhaps the steepest part of the entire route.

This stretch of the itinerary develops uphill along a well maintained path marked by signs towards Rifugio Colverde (during this stretch it is also possible to make the route slightly longer by following part of the gravel road that develops along the ski slope, thus allowing the ascent to be less painful). While continuing to climb, you pass the crossroads, on the left towards W, which leads to the hut of Malga Pala and, following a final stretch on the ski slope, you finally reach the hut of Rifugio Colverde (1,965 m asl).

Several paths start on the right of the hut – by its SE side -. The route proceeds by taking the path of the Signpost N. 701 towards Rosetta / Rifugio Rosetta “Pedrotti”. The first part of this climb develops in a fairly sparse forest, which allows you to glimpse a fantastic sight of the peaks of the Pala Group (Pale di San Martino). The vegetation gradually thins out further, leaving room for a rocky bottom. Although the Signpost No. 701 is never really technically demanding, it is useful to point out the presence of some slightly exposed passages, always protected by fences aimed at making the climb safer. The path climbs through the wide rocky gully formed by the convergence of the western slopes of Cima Corona (2,768 m asl) and the northern ones of Cima Rosetta. The itinerary then continues in the same direction as the cable car that leads to Cima Rosetta. Along the way, there are only a couple of crossroads; the first with a connecting track to reach the so-called Sentiero dei Finanzieri towards Passo Rolle, the second with the not so visible path that descends from the gap of Passo Bettega. Continuing along the Signpost No. 701, after some scenic stretches under the cable car, you reach the plateau of the Pala Group and, right after, the gap of Passo della Rosetta (2,572 m asl).

From Passo della Rosetta the view opens wide onto the beautiful panorama offered by the plateau of the Pala Group, towards the nearby hut of Rifugio Rosetta “Giovanni Pedrotti”, which the itinerary does not reach. Instead of going towards the hut, the route continues by following the Signpost No. 701A towards Cima Rosetta. After passing by the building where the cable car arrives, the path continues the ascent and reaches, after gaining the remaining 200 m of altitude, the summit of Cima Rosetta (2,743 m asl), a popular destination for visitors during the summer season, for its beautiful view that covers the valley of Cismón and San Martino di Castrozza.

From Cima Rosetta, it is possible to descend to the hut of Rifugio Rosetta (visible from the top) and head back to San Martino di Castrozza by simply following the route backward; alternatively, it is possible to descend by taking the cable car.

Paths

• From the village of San Martino di Castrozza (1,470 m asl), go up along the path that leads to the starting point of the Ski Area Colverde gondola [0h 10],
• From the basecamp of the Ski Area Colverde, go up along the “Colverde” ski slope, then – at the first large bend – continue on the path towards Rifugio Colverde [1h 10],
• From the hut of Rifugio Colverde (1,965 m asl), take the path of the Signpost N. 701 towards Rosetta / Rifugio Rosetta “Pedrotti”, until reaching the gap of Passo della Rosetta [2h 30],
• From Passo della Rosetta (2,572 m asl), proceed to the right, towards SW, along the Signpost No. 701A towards Cima Rosetta, until arriving on the summit of Cima Rosetta (2,743 m asl) [3h 00]. ✓