This autumn hike with 360-degree panoramic views leads to the Passo di Lavazè and the summit of Mt. Pala di Santa
Image gallery: Passo di Lavazè and Pala di Santa circular hike
On this beautiful autumn day, we decide on a hike to the Passo di Lavazè. We park our car at the Bucaneve inn at the junction towards the Passo Oclini. The area belongs to the municipality of Varena. First, we follow trail no. 574 towards Mt. Pala di Santa. It is a 2,488-metre-high mountain in the Fiemme Dolomites. The path begins as a wide forest track that ascends gently.
Ahead of us, the view of the pass opens up, still lying in the shade. After an hour of walking at a pleasant pace, we reach a small saddle called Le Tombole, already at an altitude of over 2,000 metres. At this junction, we continue to follow trail no. 574 (Pala di Santa). The ascent now becomes steeper and a little more challenging. The trail first passes through the forest, then in the distance, we spot the summit cross, our destination. The stony path leads us uphill in switchbacks to the summit, which we reach after another hour and a half.
Once at the top, we take a rest and enjoy the panorama: In front of us are the Antelao, Pelmo, and Civetta mountains, the Pale di San Martino, the Lagorai and Brenta groups, the Ortles, and the Latemar and Catinaccio groups with the Sciliar, which are already in South Tyrol.
For the descent, we keep to the right from the summit cross and follow the tracks towards the ski lifts until we come to a small, unmarked turning on the left. This takes us downhill along a cleared track, used as a ski slope in winter, until we meet trail no. 9. This leads us with gentle ups and downs back to the Passo di Lavazè and finally to the car park, our starting point.
Note: In winter, the Passo di Lavazè, together with the Passo Oclini, forms a popular skiing area. It is also an excellent destination for cross-country skiers, with 80 kilometres of trails that extend into South Tyrol, where the famous Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site can be found.
Experienced: October 2021
Authors: Elena & Luca
Last update: 2025
Panoramic view from the summit of Mt. Pala di Santa (3134 Kb) -
- Starting point:
- parking space at the Bucaneve inn (1,784 m a.s.l.)
-
- Overall time:
- 04:30 h
-
- Total route length:
- 12,5 km
-
- Altitude:
- from 1.784 m to 2.488 m
-
- Altitude difference:
- +1398 m | -1398 m
-
- Signposts:
- 574 (Pala di Santa), 9
-
- Destination:
- summit of Mt. Pala di Santa (2,488 m a.s.l.)
-
- Resting points:
- Bucaneve inn at the starting and end point
-
- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- Download GPX track:
- Passo di Lavazè and Pala di Santa circular hike
-
- More information:
- Be aware of possible snowfall in autumn! The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks.
ThomasMonsorno-04280.jpg)
