Alta Badia

Snowshoe hike from San Cassiano to the Fanes plateau

Vaikea

The Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on account of its distinctive natural features.
The unique, legendary atmosphere of Fanes and the stunning scenery all make this hike, which starts in San Cassiano an unforgettable experience.

*By car

• Coming from Innsbruck: take the A 13 and the A 22 toll motorway and exit at Bressanone/Brixen, following the signs to Brunico/Bruneck along the Val Pusteria/Pustertal road as far as San Lorenzo/St.Lorenzen. Follow the signs to Val Badia/Gadertal 
• Coming from Verona-Bolzano: take the A 22, exit at Bressanone/Brixen and continue as above

*By train

The nearest train stations are:

• Brunico - 37 Km
• Bolzano (via Passo Gardena) - 72 Km (via Brunico) – 100 Km
• Connection train station – Alta Badia by the local bus SAD: www.sad.it

*By air

• Innsbruck - 130 km
• Munich – 330 km
• Venice Treviso / Venice Marco Polo – 180 / 200 km
• Verona – 213 km
• Milan Bergamo / Milan Malpensa - 310 /400 km
• Information airport transfer: www.suedtirolbus.it - www.cortinaexpress.it

From San Cassiano/Saré (bus stop) walk to the area of Capanna Alpina (1,729 m), from where you take trail no. 11 eastwards, first on the flat and then climbing steeply up to the Col de Loćia (2,069 m). You continue up the valley through pine forests to a wide open plain, the Gran Plan, from where, after an easy climb, you reach the Tadega Pass. Where the trail forks off for Lavarella and Conturines, continue walking in the same direction as before. After another short flat section, you reach the Alpine pasture land of Fanes with the Malga Gran Fanes (2,110 m) (walking time: approx. 2 hours). There follows a gentle climb up to the Lech de Limo lake (2,159 m), which is also the highest point of the hike. From here, a short, steep section takes you down to the Rifugio Fanes and Rifugio Lavarela huts (walking time: approx. 2 hours 40 minutes). Nestling between the two huts is the idyllic Lech Vërt lake, which mirrors the "Parliament of Marmots" opposite.

The "Parliament of Marmots" refers to formations of dolomite rocks that create a magnificent natural arena. According to the legends of Alpe di Fanes, members of the ancient Fanes people live in caves in the rock.

To return, you can either follow the same route or go down on trail no. 7 to the Ütia Pederü hut (1,544 m) and from there to the bus stop (walking time: approx. 3 hours 10 minutes).