Pelmo Tour Day 2, Dolomites
Rifugia Venezia to Rif. Staulanza, Rif. Monte Pelmo, Pecol or Rif. Coldai
Glorious layered mountain views and wildflowers are the order of the day
Today the wildflower meadows are especially spectacular as you skirt Pelmo’s eastern to southwestern flanks, and a small spur brings you to a rock slab where millions of years ago running dinosaurs left an astonishingly clear set of prints. Again, distant vistas across mountains create an ever-changing backdrop to this marvellous hike, and our relaxed itinerary provides wildflower enthusiasts with plenty of time for photography if hiking in spring.
The day is almost all downhill, depending on where you are leaving the circuit. You can return to Rif. Staulanza via Path 472 to complete the circuit before walking down to Pecol along Road 251 (or to Rif. Monte Pelmo or Rif. Pala Favera if you plan to hike Civetta next). You can also branch off along Path 474 without fully completing the circuit to Rif. Staulanza to shorten the distance to Rif. Coldai or Pecol, but be sure to walk the short distance along Path 472 to the dinosaur footprints before backtracking to Path 474.
Each Rifugio has its own character but you are guaranteed a good dinner and breakfast… and coffee like Geoff’s heart-starter ristretto! - at all of them! It is Italy, after all!
Bunk beds at Rifugio Venezia (Image Credit: Rif. Venezia)
Lush alpine forest and meadows
Alpine bellflower (Campanula cochleariifolia)
Here and there, the track skirts towering rock faces
Wildflowers are everywhere; it is one of the most rich areas we’ve seen. Here, the Greater Butterfly Orchid, Platanthera chlorantha
Alpine rock-rose (Helianthemum alpinum)
Blue gentian (G. verna)
Blue columbine (Aquilegia alpina)
Pelmo still looms overhead. The southern face is spectacular.
Brook Thistle (Cirsium rivulare)
And yet another gentian, G. germanica
A little further down, cotton grass (Eriophorum latifolium), and you won’t be surprised to hear that it was once used in lamps for wicking and lighting. To see a field of these in the wind fills the heart.
A short detour brings you to these astonishing dinosaur footprints. Not just one species but several ran across a muddy flat which then silted over. Aeons later, they’ve been lifted and exposed for us to marvel at this story of ancient life.
And a final treat, this magnificent pale pink Martagon Lily (Lilium martagon).
It has been an amazing circuit and, even near its end, more marvellous views remain. For those who plan to go straight on to the Civetta Hike, you’ll continue to Rifugias Monte Pelmo/Pala Favera or further on to Rif. Coldai, while those who are ready to explore other regions of the Dolomites will catch the bus to these areas from Rif. Staulanza or from Pecol.
Alone, the Pelmo Tour is an outstanding circuit but, when combined with Civetta (see here for how), covers some of the most spectacular country in the entire Dolomites in just a few days for slower hikers. Highly recommended!
