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Croda Fiscalina Loop via Rifugio Locatelli

Starting from Val Fiscalina, this long loop hike circles Croda Fiscalina, linking four high-altitude mountain huts, including the famous Rifugio Locatelli, which faces Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The route climbs up a steep-walled valley dominated by vertiginous cliffs and spires typical of the Dolomites of Sesto and then crosses over to the Tre Cime side via a series of high-altitude passes.

Though long and physically demanding, the hike is not technically difficult. It is a significantly wilder alternative to the very popular Tre Cime loop, which it briefly joins for a single stage at the Rifugio Locatelli.

Remarks

Parking: large paid parking lot at the valley floor, next to the Hotel Dolomitenhof. It fills up quickly during peak season, so arrive before 8:00 a.m. to find a spot.

Access is restricted: the access road to Val Fiscalina is closed to cars from approximately 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from mid-June to early October. If you arrive late, fall back on the Croda Rossa parking lot in Moso and use the shuttle buses. Buses 446 and 440 run to the trailhead approximately every 15 minutes during the day.

Best time to visit: from early July to late September, when all the mountain huts are open and the trails are free of snow. Possible until mid- or even late October, depending on snow cover — the ideal time for the autumn colors of the larch trees in Val Fiscalina.

Recommended direction: clockwise (described here). The ascent is gradual through the most beautiful part of the valley. The more monotonous section of Val Sassovecchio is dispatched on the way down at the end of the day.

Description and difficulties of the hike

The hike is long and involves significant elevation gain, but the trail is excellent throughout. The ascent is steady and rarely very steep. There are no technical or exposed sections. The trail marking is impeccable, with clear signs at every junction that consistently list the names of the mountain huts.

From the Hotel Dolomitenhof parking lot (1,460 m), you head gently up Val Fiscalina along wide track 102 to Rifugio Fondovalle (1,526 m), a 20-minute journey. Shortly after the refuge, at the fork, take trail No. 103 to the left, heading south. This is the steepest section of the route. The trail climbs in switchbacks through the forest, then eases as it skirts the base of Cima Una. Then, there is a final ascent in switchbacks to the Zsigmondy-Comici Mountain Hut (2,224 m). The hut is situated at the foot of the north face of Croda dei Toni in a spectacular setting.

Switch to trail No. 101, heading west. The ascent continues steadily through an increasingly rocky landscape dotted with World War I remnants up to Passo Fiscalino (2,515 m). From there, the view opens up to the Cadini di Misurina and Monte Cengia. A slightly airy but perfectly secured ledge leads in a few minutes to the Pian di Cengia Mountain Hut (2,528 m). This is the highest hut in the park. Next, you cross Forcella Pian di Cengia, descend a scree slope via a winding trail, and traverse beneath the slopes of Monte Paterno to reach Rifugio Locatelli (Dreizinnenhütte, 2,405 m), which faces the Tre Cime.

The return route follows Trail No. 102, which descends northeast into Val Sassovecchio. After passing small lakes, the descent becomes steeper over rocky terrain, then gradually returns to the floor of Val Fiscalina and Rifugio Fondovalle before rejoining the starting trail.

What you'll love

The spectacular approach valley, framed by spires, vertical walls, and dizzying peaks.
The four huts in succession: Fondovalle, on the edge of the forest; Zsigmondy-Comici, at the foot of Croda dei Toni; Pian di Cengia, nestled in the rock; and Locatelli, facing the Tre Cime.
The arrival at Rifugio Locatelli, offering one of the most beautiful views of the Tre Cime — the icing on the cake of an already spectacular route.
A much wilder alternative to the Tre Cime loop, with moderate traffic throughout the entire loop.