Into the heart of the Rosengarten | Catinaccio massif – Vajolon
The hike to the Vajolonpass | Passo Vajolon is one of the most scenic tours in the Rosengarten | Catinaccio area. It runs in close proximity to the mighty rock walls of the Rotwand | Roda di Vael and offers a varied landscape along the way - from alpine meadows and dwarf pine slopes to rugged high mountain terrain during the ascent. What makes this tour particularly special is the immediate closeness to the dramatic rock formations of the Rosengarten | Catinaccio, especially the striking Rotwand | Roda di Vael, whose imposing appearance is especially awe-inspiring up close. The Vajolonpass | Passo Vajolon itself is nestled between steep rock faces and offers a spectacular view back over the Eggental valley and across to the Latemar massif.
The hike begins at the Karerpass | Passo di Costalunga (1752 m). Just opposite the sports shop, path [1A] starts, initially following a narrow paved road that soon becomes a forest path. At the trail junction, follow path [552], which leads via a short, steep ascent to the Paolina hut. From there, the path continues along narrow paths, past small streams and rocky alpine meadows, until it joins path [9]. This route leads to the Vajolonpass | Passo Vajolonvia a steep couloir, equipped with stairs, a ladder, wooden planks, and steel cables to assist the ascent. At the Vajolonpass | Passo Vajolon (2560 m), you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Fassa valley below. The descent follows paths [551] and later [541] down to the Rotwand | Roda di Vael hut (2283 m) and the adjacent Pederiva hut. From there, path [548] leads through meadows and forest down to the Karerpass | Passo di Costalunga.
Alternative: Instead of hiking up to the Paolina hut, you can take the chairlift from the Paolina car park and join the route from there. For the return, you can descend from the Rotwand | Roda di Vael hut via the Christomannos monument and take the chairlift back down to the Paolina car park.
Refreshment stops:
- Paolina hut - Opening hours and closing day: https://eggental.com/en/info/paolina-hut_5228
- Rotwand | Roda di Vael hut - Opening hours and closing day: https://eggental.com/en/info/rifugio-roda-di-vael_5242
- Pederiva hut - Opening hours and closing day: https://eggental.com/en/info/baita-m-pederiva-pederiva-htte_5246
- Antermont restaurant at the Karerpass | Passo di Costalunga – Opening hours and closing day: https://eggental.com/en/info/bar-restaurant-pizzeria-antermont_5236
Notice:
Walkers must be well-equipped and have no fear of heights.
Getting to the starting point of the tour by public transport is easy and convenient.
By public bus line:
- 180 from Bozen | Bolzano, Birchabruck | Ponte Nova
- 180 or 184 from Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Karersee | Carezza
- 184 from Weissenstein | Pietralba, Petersberg | Monte San Pietro, Deutschnofen | Nova Ponente, Stenk (or 181 and change 180)
- 184 from Obereggen, Eggen | Ega (or 184 and change 180)
- 187 from Steinegg | Collepietra, Gummer | San Valentino (or 182 and change 180)
- 180 from Val di Fassa
Bus stop: Karerpass | Passo Costalunga; online timetable search at www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/
Getting to the starting point of the tour by public transport is easy and convenient.
By public bus line:
- 180 from Bozen | Bolzano, Birchabruck | Ponte Nova
- 180 or 184 from Welschnofen | Nova Levante, Karersee | Carezza
- 184 from Weissenstein | Pietralba, Petersberg | Monte San Pietro, Deutschnofen | Nova Ponente, Stenk (or 181 and change 180)
- 184 from Obereggen, Eggen | Ega (or 184 and change 180)
- 187 from Steinegg | Collepietra, Gummer | San Valentino (or 182 and change 180)
- 180 from Val di Fassa
Bus stop: Karerpass | Passo Costalunga; online timetable search at www.suedtirolmobil.info/en/
By car:
Destination: Karersee | Carezza
Parking: parking lot Karerpass | Passo Costalunga
Holders of the Mountain Pass can use 17 lifts in the heart of the Rosengarten, Latemar and Schlern/Sciliar any three or five days within a period of seven consecutive days.