Is the Sassolungo Hike Worth It?

The Dolomites in Northern Italy afford some of the most breathtaking hiking in the world. This summer, my family set off on a seven-day hiking trip through the Dolomites, basing ourselves in three different places: Alleghe, Salva di Val Gardena, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. It was the most hiking my two teenagers have ever done and was one of our most memorable family trips to date. Here is a review of our fourth hike of the trip – a hike around the Sassolungo Loop near Val di Gardena Selva. 

Staying in Selva di Val Gardena

After three delightful days in Alleghe, we traveled an hour and fifteen minutes northeast to Selva di Val Gardena, a beautiful resort town at the foot of the Dolomites where we stayed two nights. It was much different than tiny Alleghe where there were few tourists. Instead, Selva di Val Gardena was bustling with tourists and its wide streets were lined with fancy, upscale restaurants and shops. The hiking trails around it were also quite crowded.  But, we all agreed that it was nice to mix it up.

The drive from Alleghe to Selva di Val Gardena was stunning yet the many hairpin turns made my stomach and head hurt as I am quite prone to motion sickness. It is worth a stop at the top of Sela Pass for incredible views of the surrounding Dolomites.  We arrived in town just in time for dinner and rest before another big hike the following morning.

Hiking the Sassolungo Group Loop

The most popular hike in the area is the Sassolungo Group Loop, a 10.2-mile (16.4 km) loop trail that leads around the Sassolungo and the Sassopiatto rock formations. It is considered a challenging hike and takes roughly 6 hours depending on stops.

We began our hike at the Passo Sella, where we left our car at the car park and headed up into the low-laying clouds and fog blanketing the Sassopiatto. We climbed up the gravel road, hoping it was not going to rain, and set off clockwise towards the first of four rifguios.

The trail was extremely muddy after all of the June rain, and we were all relieved to have on good hiking boots and a pair of walking sticks. The mud made the first hour of the hike a bit more challenging but it also seemed to slow down and ward off the crowds.

 

Hiking Between the Rifugios

We reached the first rifugio, the Federico Augusto, in less than 30 minutes, going steady up to 2298m/7539 feet. After an hour we hit the second rifugio, the Sandro Pertini Refuge (2300m/7546 feet).

As we continued hiking, the thick crowds at the start of the hike dissipated and only the hardy souls trekked on. It was still muddy, and the clouds had yet to lift. But the views continued to dazzle us regardless of the somewhat poor conditions.

As the hike continues, it becomes even prettier passing by a farm, loads of wildflowers and lazing cows.

We reached the third rifugio, Sassopiatto an hour and a half later, and then the hike became a little rough as you hit the large open section of scree.

Lunch with a view at Rifugio Emilio Comici

We were all getting famished by this point, a common theme of the trip due to our miscalculating what rifugio to stop at for lunch. Finally, at a bit past two, we reached the last rifugio Emilio Comici where we indudged in a fabulous lunch and marveled at the stunning views.

We had hiked for over five and a half hours and thankfully only had a short half and hour walk left. The clouds had also lifted a bit affording breathtaking views of our surroundings. It was yet another hike to remember!

 

Check Out the Sassolungo Hike Reel

Check out this Instagram reel of the hike around Sassolungo!

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How Difficult Is the Sassolungo Hike?

Best Time to Visit Sassolungo

If you go: The Sassolungo Group Loop near Val di Gardena Selva

AllTrails) recommends going counterclockwise; however we chose to go clockwise starting at the Passo Sella parking lot. We started clockwise and first hits (passes 4 rifugios and a farm). The hike took us approximately six hours with stops along the way (not including our stop for lunch).

What to Pack for the Sassolungo Loop

• Six hours above 2,000 m demands a bit more thought than a morning stroll.
• Waterproof hiking boots: The trail surface ranges from gravel to mud to loose scree. Ankle support matters.
• Trekking poles: Mandatory on the scree section and a godsend on the descent.
• Layers: Temperature at the pass can be 10-15°C cooler than in the valley. A fleece and a wind shell take up almost no space.
• Rain jacket: Mountain weather in the Dolomites changes fast. Do not leave it in the car.
• Lunch or snacks: The rifugios serve food, but the timing between them is uneven. We miscalculated badly and arrived at the last rifugio famished at past two in the afternoon. Pack emergency snacks.
• Cash: Rifugios in this region generally prefer cash, especially for small orders like coffee.
• Sunscreen: Above the treeline, UV exposure is intense even on overcast days.

Key Takeaways

• The Sassolungo loop covers 10.2 miles (16.4 km) and takes roughly 6 hours to complete.
• It is rated challenging, the open scree section in the third quarter of the loop is the hardest stretch.
• Start at the Passo Sella car park, situated at around 2,240 m (7,349 ft) elevation; parking fills by 8 AM in peak summer.
• Four rifugios are spaced along the route. Pack cash for coffee and snacks, and do not rely solely on the huts for lunch timing.
• September is the best month to hike the Sassolungo circuit: fewer crowds, golden light, and rifugios still open.
• Waterproof hiking boots and trekking poles are non-negotiable, especially after any rain.
• Both clockwise and counterclockwise directions work well. AllTrails recommends counterclockwise; we went clockwise from Passo Sella and found the progression felt natural.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Time to Visit the Sassolungo and Dolomites for hiking

We arrived in early July right before the Italian school holidays. It was fairly busy but manageable. I had been there in late April/early May and everything was closed from the ski season and there was still snow on the ground high up in the mountains. Best time is early June-early July and then September. Busiest time is mid-July-August. (opens in new tab)

How difficult is the hike around Sassolungo?

The Sassolungo circuit is rated challenging. The loop covers 10.2 miles (16.4 km) with roughly 2,300 feet (700 m) of elevation gain and takes about six hours. The hardest section is a long open scree field in the third quarter of the loop, with loose rock underfoot and no shade. Confident hikers comfortable on uneven terrain will manage it as a day hike; those with knee issues or young children should factor in extra time or consider turning back at the third rifugio.

Should I hike the Sassolungo loop clockwise or counterclockwise?

Both directions work, but they feel different. AllTrails recommends counterclockwise. We went clockwise starting from the Passo Sella car park, hitting the four rifugios in order, and found the progression felt natural. Clockwise puts the steepest scree section before the final rifugio, giving you a downhill finish back to the car park.

What is the most beautiful hike in the Dolomites?

Many hikers rate the Sassolungo Group Loop among the most beautiful hikes in the Dolomites for its dramatic views of the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto massifs, wildflower meadows, and four staffed rifugios along the route. Other frequently cited top hikes include the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit and the Seceda ridge trail above Ortisei.

Is the Sassolungo worth visiting?

Yes. The Sassolungo massif offers some of the most accessible big-mountain scenery in the Dolomites. The circuit loop passes four mountain huts, wildflower meadows, a working farm, and open alpine terrain with views in every direction. Even in less-than-perfect weather, we hiked under low cloud and fog, the landscape continued to dazzle us at every turn.

Where do you start the Sassolungo hike?

The standard starting point is the Passo Sella car park, which sits at roughly 2,240 m (7,349 ft) on the road connecting Selva di Val Gardena and Canazei. If you are staying in Selva, it is about a 10-minute drive up the switchback road to the pass. Parking fills by 8 AM in peak summer, so an early start is worthwhile. Alternatively, the Sassolungo cable car from Selva di Val Gardena can drop you at a higher point on the loop, reducing the elevation gain on the first leg.

What should I pack for the Sassolungo loop hike?

The essentials are waterproof hiking boots (the trail runs from gravel to mud to scree), trekking poles (especially useful on the scree section and the descent), a rain jacket, and layers, as temperatures at the pass can be 10-15°C cooler than in the valley below. Bring cash for the rifugios, which generally prefer it over cards, and pack emergency snacks. The spacing between rifugios is uneven, and we arrived at the final hut famished at well past two in the afternoon having misjudged the timing. Sunscreen matters too, UV exposure above the treeline is intense even on overcast days.