Sassi Lungo Loop Trek

September 7, 2024 from the itinerary: Start the day with a cable car ride from Campitello to Col Rodella (7152). From here hike under Sassolungo and Sassoepiatto on the famous Friedrich-August-Weg route. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views as you pass wildflowers and grazing cows on this age-old shepherds’ path, which ascends to Rifugio Sassopiatto (7,546). Check out the view north over Val Gardena from Reggio Vicenza (7391) and enjoy refreshments at Rifugio Comici (7,063). This loop hike now turns south through an unearthly landscape of boulders at Citta deli Sassi (city of stones). Arrive back at Rifugio Passo Sella for a cable car ride back to Campitello. Diner is at your leisure tonight.

Planned stats - 6 hours hiking, 10 miles hiking with 2,328 elevation gain and loss

Actual stats - 4:42 hours actually hiking, 10.26 miles, 1775 elevation gain/ 2600 elevation loss

Weather: high 70s and sunny

About the Dolomites from Internet (and copying from Lisa's blog....

The Dolomites are a mountain range lying in the eastern section of the northern Italian Alps. What makes these mountains so special is the fact that they are essentially composed of dolomite rock.

This gives the Dolomites their pale colour, making them so fascinating and mysterious, but also causing enrosadira (alpenglow). In Seville, on 26 June, 2009, the World Heritage Committee inscribed the Dolomites in the World Heritage List, citing the beauty of their unique landscape and geological features.Enrosadira (alpenglow) is the phenomenon whereby the Dolomite peaks, bathed by light at dawn or sunset, take on a red colour. This is visible throughout the year, but it becomes spectacular in summer, when sunset lasts longer.

There was a lovely breakfast buffet all three mornings at the hotel Locanda Degli Artisti.

The weather was glorious. We took a short bus ride to the cable car station where we got our final briefing

before going up to the top

At the top we saw a great view that included the glacier on top of Marmalada Mountain.

We had our first views of the massif around which we were walking today. The first couple miles of the trail was very busy - nice weather and a Saturday - but then it thinned out.

We walked down the hill from the cable car

to the first refugio which was on social media highlighting its doughnuts. We all had regrets we didn't try one, but it was just too early in the morning. Here is Vena, seemingly regurgitating some of them.

Then we started around the massif

We had a stop for a bathroom along the way

and up to Rifugio Sassopiatto (7,546) where we stopped for a coffee

This was the day of influencer poses - "prune lip pucker" named by Kim - it included influencer people...

influencer animals,

influencer animals and people

Buni

and Vena's butt

We saw some edelweiss which is no longer considered to be an endangered plant species, as well as some other pretty flowers

Lunch was a picnic which we carried. I brought a garbage bag from home to sit on and found some shade. This was my first hike in shorts. ever. I didn't use sun cream on my arms/legs, so was rather crispy for rest of trip

We had some rock walking and there were some challenging hikes uphill

We came a long way that day - first photo is where we were going and second picture is where we came from

We stopped again for a rest in a very scenic spot right at the edge of the tree line. Buni ran into some interesting situations there

Coming up finally to a glen with another refugio where we stopped for....coffee

and on to a final refugio.

before walking through the Citta deli Sassi (city of stones) was very beautiful and a nice contrast to the beginning of the walk.

and then picked up the bus for the ride back

Here's a group shot at the end of a long day

Dinner was on our own. We walked to a recommended place about 5 minutes away and I helped order our first trouffle pizza for the posse

We also had salads to feel virtuous

Big disappoiintment when I returned for a bath to find only luke warm water available. Thankfully, the shower water was still piping hot!