Riviera di Manna

Riviera di Manna: Rifugio Rosetta - Riviera di Manna - Passo Fradusta

If we would have been asked to pick specific location within the plateau of the Pale di San Martino thinking about the place that inspired the writer Dino Buzzati, also renamed as "the Italian Kafka", for his book "The Tartar Steppe", the choice would almost certainly fall on Riviera di Manna. In fact, the Riviera di Manna lies in a deserted, unpopular yet very central part of the plateau, in an extremely suggestive land made up of deserted moors and lunar landscapes. Thus, the features offered by Riviera di Manna can surely recall the landscapes described in the famous Buzzati’s novel.

This high-altitude route, suitable for everyone and without particularly technical stretches, starts from the hut of Rifugio Rosetta (2,578 m asl), easily reachable either on foot or by cable car from the village of San Martino di Castrozza. The trail - which develops entirely on the plateau -, full of ups and downs, does not have excessive ramps and the climbs are well distributed along the entire itinerary; however, it requires a certain physical effort which should not be underestimated.

From Rifugio Rosetta, the route begins heading eastwards, following the path of the Signpost No. 707 / 709 towards Passo Canali / Passo Pradidali. After a couple of kilometers there is a first crossroads; from here, always keeping to the east, the trail proceeds on the path to the left (Signpost No. 707) towards Passo Canali, which crosses the undulating land called Riviera di Manna. The path of the Signpost No. 707 gradually climbs the Riviera di Manna until reaching the crossroads with the Signpost No. 711B. It’s worth mentioning that, shortly before reaching the crossroads, turning north for about 300 meters, it is possible to reach the mountain lake called Lago di Manna (2,591 m asl), located in a small karst basin and often dried up during the summer season.

From the crossroads, the track proceeds by taking the Signpost No. 711B towards Passo Fradusta; the route winds through the heart of the plateau, crossing from north to south the unique and wild stony desert - between the Riviera di Manna, the Fradusta Pass and the gap of Passo delle Léde - of the moraine expanse deposited by the Glacier of Fradusta. After passing the crossing on Signpost No. 711B, it is possible, with a small detour, to reach the three beautiful lakes called Laghetti Riviera di Manna (2,629 m asl, 2,630 m asl, 2,634 m asl), fed by water deriving from the melting snow; the small lakes are extremely suggestive, because the surrounding peaks are reflected on the crystal clear water, creating beautiful shades. Depending on the season, the small lakes’ surface and appearance might vary.

From the gap of Passo Fradusta (2,680 m asl), located north-west of the peak of Fradusta (2,939 m asl) and the Glacier of Fradusta, the return to Rifugio Rosetta proceeds for an initial stretch along the Signpost No. 708, which leads to the gap of Passo Pradidali Basso (2,658 m above sea level), then along the Signpost No. 709, connecting the huts of Rifugio Pradidali with the one of Rosetta.