Breath-taking views just for families!

Mountains are great destinations for professional hikers, but also a not-to-be-missed opportunity for families who want to experience the thrill of views from an altitude of 2,000 to 2,500 m asl (6560-8,200ft).

San Martino di Castrozza gives you the chance to get close to the mountain top by means of convenient lift systems which take you up to Alpe Tognola at 2,100 m in a 12-person gondola lift of the same name and the amazing plateau of the Pale di San Martino, as far up as 2,500 m, with the Colverde gondola lift and the Rosetta cable car.

Once at the top, adults and children can enjoy the wonderful view, as well as find an excellent place to eat, tackle an easy family hiking trail and take advantage of the special baby park.

Would you like to make the most of this area? Public transport, free entrances, discounts and lifts: check out the Dolomiti Summer Card! Discover more about the three areas!

ALPE TOGNOLA

HOW TO GET THERE: THE TOGNOLA GONDOLA LIFT
You board the Tognola gondola lift just a short distance from the centre of San Martino di Castrozza. It takes you in no time at all up from 1,450 m to 2,100 m.
MINI-TREKKING TO THE BALCONY ONTO THE UNESCO DOLOMITES
Great with baby backpack carriersIn the summer of 2016, the new scenic balcony was opened on Alpe Tognola by the Paneveggio National Park - Pale di San Martino as part of the initiatives identified by the preliminary study to create information points on the Bene Naturale (Natural Assets) in hotspot areas in the Dolomites. The view from the balcony is breath-taking and encompasses the porphyry Lagorai range as far as the Feltrine peaks, taking in the magnificent mountain group of Pale di San Martino. The site can be easily reached on foot from the top of the Tognola gondola lift in about fifteen minutes, along the recently restored Panzer trail in about 3 hours, departing from San Martino di Castrozza.
WHERE TO EAT WITH CHILDREN
During the summer, the Rifugio Tognola is the departure point for all excursions on foot or by mountain bike on the Alpe Tognola, with trails and tracks for all the family based on distance and difficulty. You also get an amazing view of the surrounding mountain peaks and the Pale di San Martino from panoramic terrace of the mountain hut (rifugio), while savouring one of the delicious local dishes. There are menus available specifically for children, to satisfy the tastes of young food lovers.

ALTIPIANO DELLE PALE

HOW TO GET THERE: THE COLVERDE-ROSETTA LIFTS
From the centre of San Martino di Castrozza, it is just a short walk to the Colverde-Rosetta lifts which take you from the town up to an altitude of 2,500 metres. The first means of transport is the eight-person Colverde gondola lift which, in just fifteen minutes, takes you up to the amazing panoramic terrace of the mountain hut of the same name at an altitude of 2,000 metres. From here, a second lift, the Rosetta cable car, in less than five minutes, takes you to the top of the Altipiano of the Pale di San Martino at an altitude of 2,500 metres.
MINI-TREKKING TO THE MALGA PALA (the malga is closed for the summer season 2024)
Great with baby backpack carriersFrom the top of the Colverde gondola lift at a altitude of 2,000 metres, you can reach the Malga Pala after a short fifteen-minute walk along an easy path which starts from the ski slope to the right. Adults and children alike will be greeted by the legendary Malga owner, grandpa Giorgio, who, with his family, runs this rustic and welcoming farmhouse at the feet of the Pale di San Martino, surrounded by cows grazing with their calves, goats and small farmhouse animals. You can taste the authentic flavours of the mountains here. Don’t pass up the chance to tuck into a plate of polenta, toselo (delicious pan-fried fresh cheese) and luganega (the local sausage) whilst enjoying the unique view and Giorgio’s authentic hospitality!
MINITREKKING DELLE PALE
Great with baby backpack carriersFrom the top of the Rosetta cable car, you are greeted by the spectacular view of the Altopiano delle Pale: an immense rocky plateau which stretches as far as the eye can see, plunging you into a lunar-type landscape. A little further up from the arrival point of the cable car is a short, easy path which takes you to the first rifugio up on the plateau, namely the Rifugio Pedrotti alla Rosetta (2,581 m) where you can experience the true spirit and hospitality of the mountain huts and savour the hearty food on offer. If you feel like taking a longer walk, to the right of the cable car, you can set out on the path that leads to the summit of Rosetta at a height of 2,700 m and experience the thrill of being a mini-mountain climber!
WHERE TO EAT WITH CHILDREN
The Baita Colverde at 2,000 m with a large panoramic terrace offers the best of typical fare with local specialities and traditional cooking, suitable for both adults and children, as well as delicious snacks. A fifteen-minute walk from above the Colverde gondola lift station takes you to the Malga Pala (closed in summer 2024), a delightful mountain farmhouse at the feet of the Pale di San Martino where the owner, grandpa Giorgio and his family greet you and offer you simple, tasty dishes, typical mountain fare. At the exit of the Rosetta cable car, a café and restaurant of the same name, at a height of 2,500 m also has an amazing terrace with a view of the plateau and the Dolomites. A little further up from the arrival point of the cable car is a short, easy path which takes you to the first rifugio up on the plateau, namely the Rifugio Pedrotti alla Rosetta where you can experience the true spirit and hospitality of the mountain huts and savour the hearty food on offer, such as a delicious strudel or other tempting home-made desserts.

PASSO ROLLE, CIMA TOGNAZZA

FIRST WORLD WAR HIKE ON THE SUMMIT OF THE CAVALLAZZA
Great with baby backpack carriersFor more experienced family mountain hikers, a trail not to be missed is the one that leads from the top of the Paradiso chairlift to discover the summit of the Piccola Cavallazza (2,305 m) and the Cavallazza (2,322 m) peaks. This spectacular route of great historical interest gives you the chance to learn about places involved in the First World War where traces of the trenches and military outposts can still be seen. The trail, which is not particularly steep, is, therefore, suitable for children of school age, while smaller children should be carried in backpacks. From the top of the Cavallazza, you can descend along the steep path which leads to the small lakes of Colbricon (1,922 m) where you can then take the easy mule path which leads back to the start of the Paradiso chairlift.
WHERE TO EAT WITH CHILDREN
Not far from the mule track, which leads to the Paradiso chairlift, is the Malga Rolle, a typical farmhouse holiday home managed by the Caseificio di Primiero (dairy) where you can taste the delicacies of traditional valley-style cooking and purchase the delicious cheeses made by the dairy.For anyone going on to the Colbricon lakes, the Rifugio Laghi di Colbricon offers classic mountain fare immersed in the wonderful natural setting of these places.

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