primiero slow tour

10.67 km · 3.83 h · 667m
First stage of the Primiero Slow Tour, which climbs from the valley floor of Primiero to Passo Cereda, crossing Val Canali, one of the most beautiful and scenic valleys in the Dolomites

The route starts in Fiera di Primiero, from the large car park next to the offices of the San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle, Primiero and Vanoi Tourism Board. Following the Canali stream as far as the village of Tonadico, the route crosses the stream and heads towards the Madonna della Luce area. From here, along a recently restored path, the trail reaches the foot of the historic and striking Castel Pietra, a symbol of Tyrolean rule over the Primiero valley. Skirting the castle ruins, the route continues along the path towards the Cesurette area. After a few minutes, crossing the provincial road once again, the route leads to Lake Welsperg, a picturesque body of water reflecting the peaks of the southern section of the Pale di San Martino. The itinerary then follows the Sentiero delle Muse Fedaie, an educational trail created by the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park, which has one of its offices located in the nearby Villa Welsperg. Near the villa, the route joins a forest track that climbs the right-hand slope of the mountain, immersed in lush spruce and larch woodland. The trail continues to the wide meadow area of Colzancani and then follows path 738 “Piero Agostini” until it emerges onto the SP347 road leading to Passo Cereda. From here, a further 10 minutes on foot brings you to Passo Cereda, the final destination of this first stage. 

9.64 km · 4.58 h · 594m
The second stage of the Primiero Slow Tour, which leads from Rifugio Cereda at Passo Cereda to Rifugio Caltena, skirting the Pale Alte and Monte Padella

The route begins at Passo Cereda, heading towards Malga Fossetta along path 729. Once at the Malga, open with refreshments during the summer months, the trail continues around Col Spiz on path 723 until joining a forest road leading to Domadoi. Shortly before the meadows of Domadoi, the route intersects path 744, which climbs into the woodland on the left. Following this path, the trail ascends to a junction. Here, there are two options: taking the left-hand path (waymark 744), the trail leads to the Croce del Monte Padella at 1,850 m, before descending the opposite side of the mountain (still on path 744) to Rifugio Caltena. This option is more demanding but also more scenic, as the Monte Padella summit offers a 360-degree panorama ranging from the Pale di San Martino to the Lagorai range, the Vette Feltrine and the nearby Cimonega group. Alternatively, from Malga Fossetta, continuing along path 729 leads up to Passo del Palughet before a descent on the opposite side to Baita Cogolate. From here, the route follows a forest road through the entire Val Giasinozza, reaching a junction with signposts for Rifugio Caltena, just a further 10-minute walk away. This itinerary is longer than the option via the Monte Padella peak, but technically easier.

10.42 km · 3.33 h · 284m
The third stage of the Primiero Slow Tour, which leads from Rifugio Caltena to Rifugio Fonteghi, passing through the meadows of San Giovanni and the suspension bridge over the Rio Neva

The route starts from Rifugio Caltena, following the paved road downhill through the meadows below (waymark 726) until reaching a junction in the Poit area. Here, after descending briefly to the right, a sign on the left points towards “Cordogno-San Giovanni”. Following the path (waymark 728A), the trail climbs through woodland to reach the mountain ridge, then continues south-west for about one kilometre. This section is particularly panoramic, offering views of the Vette Feltrine, and is equipped with information panels and wooden benches. In the final section, the path descends to meet a forest road in the Falasorni area. Turning left onto the road, the route continues to the meadows of San Giovanni, a place dear to the residents of Mezzano, where there is also a particularly beautiful and panoramic chapel overlooking the Vette Feltrine group. From San Giovanni, the trail continues towards Poit, following waymark 726 to reach the meadows of Iner before descending through woodland to the Val de Riva area. At the end of the descent, the suspension bridge over the Rio Giasinozza comes into view (30 metres high and 70 metres long), built in 2018. After crossing the bridge, a final 20-minute ascent leads to Rifugio Fonteghi, the finishing point of this third stage.

11.72 km · 4.67 h · 332m
The fourth stage of the Primiero Slow Tour, which leads from Rifugio Fonteghi to Rifugio Vederna, passing along the Sentiero degli Abeti Giganti and forest road 733

From Rifugio Fonteghi, take path 735, which climbs to the left, crosses the Piadochin and reaches the forest road serving the meadows of Valpiana di Sotto (waymark 733). The route continues to a junction marking the start of the Sentiero degli Abeti Giganti, a themed circular trail created by the municipality of Mezzano to showcase the majestic red and silver firs found in the area, among the tallest in Trentino. Following the path to the left, the route reaches the area known as “Pozza dell’Ors” before continuing to Malga Val de Stua di Sopra, a former alpine pasture used for summer grazing, set in a panoramic position at the foot of the Vette Feltrine. From the Malga, the trail joins the forest road leading to a recently created variant that descends to the left and reconnects with path 733, to be followed westwards. This route, not particularly demanding but fairly long, leads to Rifugio Vederna in around two hours of walking, following waymark 733 throughout. In the final section, after passing Col Camoz, views that were previously enclosed by forest open out onto the wide pastures of Pian Grant, where Rifugio Vederna and the nearby Madonna della Neve chapel are clearly visible.

15.9 km · 5.17 h · 940m
The fifth and final stage of the Primiero Slow Tour, which runs from Rifugio Vederna to Fiera di Primiero, passing the panoramic Croce del Monte Vederna and, after descending to Imer, climbing back towards Fiera via the Primiero cycle-pedestrian path and the Madonna del Sass trail.

From Rifugio Vederna, the route follows the forest road marked 741 uphill to the panoramic Croce del Monte Vederna (1,584 m), offering spectacular views over the entire Primiero valley floor, the Folga-Grugola mountain group and the Pale di San Martino. The route retraces the forest road back to Rifugio Vederna, then continues downhill along the forest road marked 736. In the "San Paolo" area, the route leaves the forest road and follows path 736 through Val Caora, descending steeply to Val Noana. From here, it continues alongside the paved road (thus avoiding the three tunnels) until reaching the start of the path in the "Gavion" area (near the Gavion bridge on the right). After around 30 minutes along this path, the route reaches the industrial area of Imer, where it joins the Primiero cycle-pedestrian path, heading towards Mezzano. After reaching Oltra, the route leaves the cycle-pedestrian path and continues along the Madonna del Sass route (waymark Quota 860). Remaining at mid-slope, slightly above the cycle path, it crosses the lush meadows of Osne and the hamlet of "Mondi" before descending gently to Fiera di Primiero, the final destination of the Primiero Slow Tour.