Hike around the Sassolungo Group

Approach

Passo Sella. Free parking.

Route Description

With the exception of Sassopiatto, all the peaks of the Sassolungo group can be reached only by climbing (usually around III/IV degree of the UIAA scale): if the climbing is easy or difficult depends on the single person's skill.
Nevertheless there is a way of walking around all the group in a circular way. This is a very nice walk with no particular difficulties. I did it with my family (the first time I did it I had my daughter on my shoulders). I describe it in a quick way. If you want to have more precise info pls refer to the book from I. Rabanser describing the whole group.
You start from Passo Sella, you follw the Federico Augusto path and you go towards Rif. Valentini (15 min), then you continue reaching the Rif. Federico Augusto (about 45 min from Rif Valentini). From there you continue until you reach the Rif. Pertini(about 45 min from Rif Federico Augusto). From there you continue until you reach the Rif. SassoPiatto(about 45/60 min.from Rif. Pertini) From there you can descend in ValGardena or you can continue the tour heading towards Rif. Vicenza (about 60 min from Rif. SassoPiatto) . Then you can proceed reaching the Rif. Comici al Sassolungo(plan about 45 min from Rif Vicenza). From there you continue and you will be back at the Passo Sella (about 30/45 min from Rif. Comici) crossing an area crowed with blocks (Citta dei Sassi).
This path is very well marked and will take you few hours to complete (if I remember well 5/6 hrs, comprised the picnic stop) and does not have heavy height differences (less than 300 meters). The times reported are indicative and depend, of course, on your physical fit and your speed.

There are several possible variations of the tour (that clearly change the estimates that I have given before in terms of height difference and time). E.g. once you are at the Rif. Sassopiatto you can go over the Sassopiatto peak. From the Rif. Sassopiatto you can descend towards Alpe di Siusi. Once you are at the Rif. Vicenza you can decide to cross the Sassolungo group heading towards the Rif. Demetz, from where you can descend to the Passo Sella.

Essential Gear

Nothing particular. I recommend not to wear sneakers!! You are always in a mountain and the weather can change.

Miscellaneous Info

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