Trekking the Fanes: Daily Hike to Rifugio Fanes in the Dolomites

Cortina d'Ampezzo•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

6–7 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness—comfort with sustained uphill hiking and uneven terrain for multiple hours is required

Overview

Spend a full day traversing the Fanes high pastures with a guide who once worked as a park ranger. This 14 km, ~600 m day hike combines Dolomite geology, Ladin stories, marmot viewing, and a possible craft-beer tasting at Rifugio Fanes.

Trekking the Fanes: Daily Hike to Rifugio Fanes in the Dolomites

Wildlife

Walking Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You begin at the park infopoint with a ridge of grey rock above you and the sound of water threading down from the high pastures. The guide—an ex-park ranger whose tread reads like a map—leads the group onto a narrow trail that first climbs, then opens into the Fanes’ broad meadows. Within minutes the world changes: grassy slopes, sudden turquoise pools, and rivers that appear as if they were coaxed out of the stone.

Adventure Photos

Trekking the Fanes: Daily Hike to Rifugio Fanes in the Dolomites photo 1

Adventure Tips

Start early to beat afternoon weather

Begin at first light—the trail is less crowded, and storms in the Dolomites are more likely after midday.

Bring layers and a windproof shell

Temperatures can drop rapidly above 2,000 m; a lightweight insulated layer and rain shell will keep you comfortable during breaks.

Hydrate and carry extra water

Water sources exist but treat them as supplemental—carry 1.5–2 L per person for the day.

Wear sturdy boots and consider poles

Rocky switchbacks and short descents reward supportive footwear; trekking poles reduce strain on knees on the return.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Alpine marmot
Chamois

History

The Fanes area holds Ladin cultural heritage and local legends about the ancient kingdom of Fanes; shepherding and mountain pastures have shaped land use for centuries.