Photo Diversity on Sentiero Delle Scalette Hike – Canyons, Valleys, and Antermoia Lake in a long day hike!

Every hike has its own unique story and narrative. Just like that, the Sentiero Delle Scalette trails bring wild and romantic gorges, brittle high valleys, and a breathtakingly situated mountain lake – and they combine it into a fairytale with a happy ending. The Larséc group lies somewhat in the shadow of the famous Catinaccio (Rosengarten) massif, and this 18-kilometer backpacking route is waiting for its main character – you.

Scenic beauty and tranquility away from the tourist trails are a real treat of this demanding circuit. However, this insider tip is earned with many beads of sweat. Sentiere delle Scalette, Antermoia, Lausa Pass and Utia are the melodious highlights of this little-used circular route. The photographic diversity quietly steals the show from many a well-known Dolomite landmark. 

On mostly natural rock steps, it is not particularly difficult, but still partly secured up a steep, deeply cut rock gully, before you are spit out at the barren high plateau. 

The way back leads 1500 steep deep meters through the lush, narrow and wildly romantic Utia valley. This circular hike through the Larséc group is as beautiful and varied as it is strenuous.

Route description – this is how your Sentiero delle Scalette trail to Antermoia Lake looks like on a map

Take the cable cars Vajolet 1+2 uphill. From the top station, take the easy forest trail towards the Gardeccia hut/Grassleiten pass. At the Gardeccia hut, go downhill for a few meters on the road and immediately turn left onto path no. 583 Sentiero delle Scalette. 

From here the path is easy until the Antermoia hut. First you cross a mountain pine slope before it splits into the large rocky gully. The first rope-secured passages show the way. The saddle now continues to rise to about 45° steepness, the most difficult parts of the easy via ferrata are well secured. 

The route leads to the Passo delle Scalette (2348m) in a stimulating rock climb. Behind the pass you pass Lago Secco (Dry Lake) and through the Lausa valley to Passo di Lausa (Lausa saddle 2700m). 

Over undulating and rocky terrain, the trail descends, sometimes steeply, to the Antermoia hut (2497m). From the hut, slightly downhill, take the wide trail to the west until you reach the Passo di Dona. At a fork in the road, continue steeply downhill to the right into the Dona Valley (no. 580). At the first small hut (Camerloi) turn right steeply downhill along the pristine mountain stream Udai into the valley of the same name. 

The descent is steep and narrow for many hundreds of meters of altitude, always along the river. Finally, at a forest road junction, keep right towards Muncion (Monzon)/Ronch (No. 579). 

Once you reach the small village of Ronch, at the road junction, take the inconspicuous meadow path directly downhill. This leads logically and always downhill to Pera di Fassa. Here follow the Tita Piaz road to the right, pass under the gondola track and continue until you reach the main road. Finally, a few meters back along the main road and to the starting point. 

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – the Passo di Lausa views and the Antermoia lake

The steep rock face into which the Sentiero di Scalette cuts is already a beautiful sight during the hike from the gondola. We recommend the deep view from above in the via ferrata with ultra-wide angle lens. 

The Passo di Lausa views at the same altitude into the surrounding rock massifs of the Catinaccio with views of the Sassolungo/Sella massif and the Marmolada are highlights of this tour. 

The barren high plateau can be artistically enlivened especially with cloud games. The Antermoia hut with the lake of the same name is also a special muse for photographers.

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

More information about your hike – location, difficulty level, duration and tips

How to get there by public transport: By bus or train to Bolzano. With bus 180 (stop directly in front of the station entrance) direction Fassa Valley until Pera di Fassa. The bus stop is right next to the cable car.

How to get there by car: Brennero freeway to exit Bolzano Nord, SS241 direction Nova Levante/Karerpass. Via Passo Carezza into Val di Fassa, in the valley turn left towards Canazei, until Pera di Fassa. The parking lot is in Pera di Fassa directly at the Vajolet cable car.

Hike difficulty level: medium – difficult

Start/finish: Pera di Fassa – Vajolet lifts mountain station (coordinates: geogr. 46.438792,11.663301)

Duration/distance: 8h/ 18km

Ascent/descent: 1050m/1540m

Highest point/lowest point: 2701m/1320m

Special dangers: Rockfall in via ferrata, easy via ferrata (via ferrata set recommended for beginners and insecure via ferrata goers).

Meals: Gardeccia hut, Antermoia hut.

Other tips: Plan you trip with lifts and busses in advance according to opening times.

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Dolomites – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional trips in the Dolomites now.

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Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. After registering, you will also receive the GPS track, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.