Excursion to Rifugio Torre di Pisa

Rifugio Torre di Pisa may be reached from different starting points. More specifically, in Latemarium there are three: Obereggen, in the Ega Valley, Pampeago and Predazzo in the Fiemme Valley. Depending on where you are planning to depart from, the path will differ, but the sceneries and the emotions will be the same.

Departure from Pampeago and Predazzo

If you depart from one of these two places in the Fiemme Valley, you will pass through the Feudo Pass. From Pampeago, it can be reached with the Latemar chair lift and a 20-minute walk on trail sign no. 504, whereas from Predazzo you will have to use the Stalimen-Gardoné cable car, and the Gardoné-Passo Feudo chair lift.

Once you have reached the Pass, you can take path no. 516 uphill along a grassy slope which is initially steep and then gradually becomes softer, and which offers a suggestive view of the Pampeago valley and its pastures. If you look up to the sky, you will also be able to admire the Rifugio Torre di Pisa, perched on a rocky cliff. Do not be alarmed. It looks far, but the pleasant excursion will not make you feel fatigued.

A typical element of the first part of this path are Omeneti, which are pile-ups of stones on the sides of the trail which were initially small trail signs and which have now turned into stone sculptures where everyone can leave their mark.

The first halfway point is the crossing with path no. 22. You can enjoy a short break here. Then you can continue uphill, leaving path no. 22 and taking a path which is initially characterized by cobblestones but then becomes graveled. This path will allow you to increase your altitude until you reach a sweet grassy depression, which is the second halfway point where you will be able to admire the scenery and to see your destination uphill, much closer. You will notice the town of Predazzo in the valley floor.

A wide bend to the left will take you to a scree, where the last part of your path will start. You will climb up a rocky, not really dangerous, trail and wooden steps, and then rocky steps will take you to the Rifugio with one last effort.

Your efforts will pay off with the amazing 360° scenery from the almost 2,700 meters of altitude: the Lagorai Chain and the granite massif of Cima d’Asta. On your left you will see the Pale di San Martino with their typical shape. If you proceed to the left, you will see the Civetta, the Pelmo, and the Antelao. Then you will see: Marmolada, Tofana di Mezzo, Piz Boè. If you look to the west, you will see Ortler and Cevedale, followed by the Brenta Dolomites.

You cannot miss the special element of our excursion – the mythical Torre di Pisa: from the helicopter landing dock, just a few meters from the lodge, you will see a close-up of the rocky formations of the Latemar Basin, with the legendary leaning tower, about 40 m. tall, whose name was inspired by its similarity to its namesake in Tuscany.

You can stop at Rifugio Torre di Pisa and then go back following the same path.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Difference in heights: 630 M from Pampeago – 480 M from Passo Feudo
  • Highest point: 2681 meters
  • Level: MEDIUM (E)

Departure from Obereggen

From the Oberholz chair lift landing, you can take path no. 18. You need to walk up a grassy, and subsequently detrital, slope. You will then walk along a wrought iron cross, followed by a series of wooden steps. If you walk on, you will find a very short trail of simple rocky plates which are completely safe thanks to the presence of a handrail cave. Shortly afterwards, you will reach the first halfway spot, which is an earthy space at the foot of the rocky walls of Latemar.

You will climb up a slope of crumbled rocks until you reach the edge of a detrital circle filled with boulders. A couple of times, you will reach a small mountain pass to access the most interesting part of the excursion. As a matter of fact, you will enter a small rocky valley, almost a labyrinth surrounded by peaks and pinnacles and scattered with huge detrital boulders, typical of the Dolomites.

Shortly afterwards, the path bends to the left and goes uphill until it reaches the main ridge. Right in front of you, you will see the small incision of the Camosci mountain pass, which you can access through a tiny and recessed channel. Once you have reached the mountain pass, you will have a view of the majestic Latemar amphitheater.

If you move down the basin and follow path no. 516, you will reach Rifugio Torre di Pisa in about half an hour, through one last short uphill trail. You will admire other typical rocky formations of Latemar, including the mythical Torre di Pisa and, from the helicopter landing dock, you will enjoy a breath-taking 360° panorama from the over 2,700 meters of altitude: the Lagorai Chain and the great granite massif of Cima d’Asta. To the left, you will see Pale di San Martino, with their typical shape. If you proceed to the left, you will see Civetta, Pelmo, and Antelao. Then you will see: Marmolada, Tofana di Mezzo, Piz Boè. If you look to the west, you can see Ortler and Cevedale, followed by the Brenta Dolomites.

After a break at the Rifugio, you will go back following the same path.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Difference in heights: 630 M
  • Highest point: 2681 meters
  • Level: MEDIUM (E)