San Giovanni di Fassa. The trail to Rifugio Vajolet.
A WALK IN THE ROSENGARTEN
Grab Your Friends and Let's Go!
The Romance of the Rosengarten
The Rosengarten region of the Dolomites is one of the most extensive and, in the opinion of many, the most fascinating. The glowing pink and red light of the setting sun illuminates the sharp pointed peaks and vast faces of the stone monoliths bathing everything in the vibrant colors of the sunset. High mountain lodges are nestled into massive rock formations and almost disappear into the backdrop of the surrounding peaks that rise far above. The colors, the magnificent peaks, the meandering trails, the cozy lodges, and the delicious food, drink, and camaraderie of fellow hikers creates an atmosphere that will make it difficult to part ways with the Rosengarten.
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Adding to the evocative nature of the region is its significant morphological geodiversity. Almost everywhere you step are fossils deposited 240 million years ago during the Triassic Period. The endless series of peaks and sharp needles ascending from the Torri Del Vajolet trace the movement of an island toward the sea. Evidence of tectonic and volcanic activity, in addition to carbonate sediment, make this area one of the most important in the world for the study of geology during the Triassic age.
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The Rosengarten is also a beautiful region for Via Ferrata. This hike can be customized to include optional days for Via Ferrata for an additional cost.
Day 1
Bolzano - Cyprianerhof Dolomites Resort
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Today we gather in Bolzano where we will meet our private shuttle to the Hotel Cyprianerhof in the village of San Cipriano, St Zyprian in German. You will find that in the Dolomites both German and Italian are spoken in addition to Ladin, now an official language in many regions of the Dolomites. The food is also a mixture of Italian and German. Try the dumplings and the Kaiserschmarrn, they are delicious!
Private rooms with private bath (dbl occupancy)
Dinner
Day 2
Cyprianerhof Dolomites Resort - Rifugio Roda di Vael
Today the adventure begins. After breakfast our trek starts directly from the Hotel Cyprianerhof. We begin by hiking to the middle station of the Laurin ski lift. The name of the lift evokes the legend of King Laurin and includes three stages to reach the top. We'll take the last two stages; from the top we depart on the trail to tonight's lodging at Rifugio Roda di Vael, a cozy, rustic lodge nestled under impressive peaks of the Dolomites. The views over the Valley from the top of the lift, the peaks of the Dolomites in the distance, and the rose-colored monoliths of the Rosengarten are a spectacular introduction to everything this region of the Dolomites has to offer.
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Rifugio Roda di Vael (dbl rooms with showers where available) Breakfast/Dinner
3400 feet up, 1640 feet down, 9 miles, approx. 7 hours
BBBBRR (B=Easy, R=Moderate, S=Difficult)
Day 3
Rifugio Roda di Vael - Rifugio Vajolet -Rifugio Passo Santner
We'll enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast and then set out on our trek to Rifugio Passo Santner. The trail meanders among rocky outcroppings, beautiful stone monoliths, high peaks and spires, and the green of the meadows that dot the Rosengarten. Along the way we will stop at Rifugio Vajolet for lunch.
After lunch, a good rest, and hopefully some Kaiserschmarrn we begin our hike up a very steep rocky trail using attached cables to secure our climb. After a climb of about 1600 feet we reach Rifugio Passo Santner, our stop for the night. Directly in front of the Rifugio is an amazing view of the Valley below and in the opposite direction, the Vajolet Towers; if we are lucky, we may see climbers on the Towers. The views, the food, the drinks, the strenuous hike to the top, and fellow hikers from many different places will make our afternoon one to remember.
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Rifugio Passo Santner (dbl rooms with showers where available)
2800 ft up, 1500 ft down, 4.5 miles, approx 5.0 hours
RRRSSB
Day 4
Rifugio Passo Santner - Rifugio Passo Principe Grassleitenpasse Hut - Rifugio Antermoia
After a good night's rest and a delicious breakfast, we begin the trek to Rifugio Antermoia, our stop for the night. Today's trail begins by leading downward and past the famous Torri del Vajolet; if we're lucky we may see climbers scaling its vertical walls.
Rifugio Antermoia is set on beautiful Lago di Antermoia and surrounded by the massive peaks and spires that define the Rosengarten. On the way we will stop at Rifugio Passo Principe Grasleitenpasse Hut perhaps for lunch on the large wooden deck of the rifugio. This is a favorite hut of climbers starting off on one of the many Via Ferrata and climbing routes nearby.
After lunch, our hike continues over Passo Antermoia, with views of the Kesselkogel, to our refuge for the night. Lago di Antermoia looks inviting so don't forget your swimsuit.
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Rifugio Antermoia (dbl rooms with showers where available) Rifugio Antermoia nel Cuore del Catinaccio Rosengarten - Rifugio Antermoia
1800 ft up, 2500 ft down, 5 miles, 5 hours
BBRRRR
Day 5
Rifugio Antermoia – Malga Miraval – Rifugio Plattkogel – Rifugio Tierser Alpl (Alpe di Tires in Italian)
Today, after breakfast and one last glimpse of the lake, we begin our trek to Rifugio Tierser Alpe, a hut with a fun backstory and a founder who defied the odds. We'll pass through areas with fantastic wildlife, including chamois, marmots, perhaps a roe deer or two, and maybe we'll catch a glimpse of the rare mouflon, a reddish-brown wild sheep with horns that curve up and end in a complete revolution. Along the way we will descend to Malga Miraval where the path angles upward to Rifugio Plattkogel. Here we can rest and refresh for the afternoon leg of today's hike, a meandering path over a broad ridge to our next stop for two nights. As we near our destination the red clad roof of Rifugio Tierser Alpl comes into view. By now we know the large front deck means packs off, snacks for everyone, cold beer, Radler, and Aperol Spritz await after a long day's hike.
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Alpe di Tires The refuge in the Dolomites in South Tyrol (tierseralpl.com) Double rooms with showers where available.
2600 feet up, 2800 ft down, 9.5 miles, approx. 7 hours
BBRBBB
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Day 6
Rifugio Tierser Alpl – Seiser Alm – Schlernhut– Rifugio Tierser Alpl
Today's hike is an out and back loop; we'll return to the lovely Alpe di Tires hut after this beautiful hike. The hike begins with a descent to Seiser Alm and ascent to the Schlernhut. Seiser Alm is a plateau and the largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe. The green meadows, view to the Valley, the rocky spires of the Rosengarten and if we're lucky, puffy white clouds in a blue sky, almost overload the senses. This is truly a spectacular hike. The halfway point is lunch in the beautiful wood beamed dining room of the Bolzano Alpine Club's Rifugio Monte Pez or Schlernhut in German. After lunch we loop back to the Rifugio Alpe di Tires.
Alpe di Tires The refuge in the Dolomites in South Tyrol (tierseralpl.com)
3400 ft up, 3400 ft down, 10 miles, approx. 7 hours.
RRBBRR
Day 7
Rifugio Tierser Alpl – Bärenloch – St Zyprian
After our last breakfast together at the relaxing Rifugio Alpe di Tires, we reluctantly gather our packs and begin the hike down to St. Zyprian (aka: San Cipriano). Today's trek is steep so hiking poles might be a good idea, but the trail is beautiful. We transition from the rocky paths of the high trails in the Rosengarten to a tree lined trail that meanders down to the village of St Cyprian. You'll wish the week could start all over again.
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4400 ft down, 5.25 miles, approx. 4 hours. Breakfast
We should reach San Cipriano by early afternoon. There are no planned accommodations for this evening, reservations can be secured by request at an additional cost. Bolzano is about a 40 minute drive and accessible by bus, car, or taxi. Rome2Rio details the available options. TerraTreks can arrange for group shuttle service back to Bolzano (included in the price). Shuttle service other than the group service is at an additional cost.
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Optional Via Ferrata
The Rosengarten trek can be customized to include one or more Via Ferrata routes at an additional cost. Climbers must be in strong physical condition and have no fear of heights. Some additional gear may be required (harness is provided).
Cyprianerhof
From our meeting point in Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites, we travel by private van to San Cipriano and the luxurious Cyprianerhof. Enjoy gourmet meals, saunas, a cold plunge pool, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, a full spa and beautifully decorated rooms with spectacular views of the peaks surrounding the resort. From the valley we can see a few of the trails we will take the following morning.
