Compact

Sella Ronda Trek

Sella Ronda Trek: a 5-day loop around the Sella massif over the Vallon, the Puez plateau, Passo Gardena and Forcella Sassolungo, no via ferrata: the Dolomites' compact classic.

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Distance
60 km
Days
5
Ascent
3,783 m
Max altitude
2,685 m

The Sella Ronda is famous as a ski circuit, but the summer walking version is one of the best short Dolomites loops. Five days around the Sella massif, with the Marmolada glacier to the south, a night up on the Puez-Odle plateau to the north and the Sassolungo at your shoulder on the last days.

It fits a short week: days of 4.5 to 7 hours, four huts in four different valleys, and a cable car at every pass if the weather turns. The line stays on marked trails with no via ferrata; two short stretches are rocky T3 ground.

Highlights

  • The Vallon cirque under Piz Boè, with the Marmolada glacier across the valley
  • The Puez-Odle plateau and a night at Rifugio Puez, 2,475 m
  • Passo Gardena and the Sella towers on the way past Rifugio Frara
  • The Città dei Sassi boulder field at the foot of the Sella's north wall
  • Forcella Sassolungo at 2,685 m and a night at Ütia Toni Demetz
  • Sass Pordoi and Forcella Sassolungo cable cars as weather bail-outs

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1: Passo Pordoi → Rifugio Franz Kostner al Vallon

    5–6 h
    9.9 km807 m506 m

    Along the Sella's east flank above Arabba (Col de Burz, Plan Boè), then up into the Vallon cirque; a rocky T3 finish.

  2. Day 2: Rifugio Kostner → Rifugio Puez

    6–7 h
    12.8 km922 m985 m

    Down off the Vallon to Colfosco, the low point at about 1,600 m, then up trail 4 onto the Puez-Odle plateau.

  3. Day 3: Rifugio Puez → Rifugio Carlo Valentini (Passo Sella)

    6.5–7.5 h
    18 km742 m1024 m

    The long day: along the Alta Via 2 over the plateau to Passo Gardena past Rifugio Frara, then under the Sella's north wall and through the Città dei Sassi to Passo Sella.

  4. Day 4: Rifugio Carlo Valentini → Ütia Toni Demetz (Forcella Sassolungo)

    4.5–5.5 h
    8.8 km784 m302 m

    A short day: past Rifugio Vicenza and up trail 525 to the forcella at 2,685 m.

  5. Day 5: Ütia Toni Demetz → Passo Pordoi

    5–6 h
    10.4 km528 m976 m

    Down to Passo Sella and along the Sella's south side back to Pordoi.

More days than you have? There are 2-5 day loops in the same area.Find a shorter route

Walking this route next season?

Booking for next summer opens in winter. Leave your email and we will send the opening dates for this route's huts.

Rifugi on this route

  • Rifugio Franz Kostner al Vallon
  • Rifugio Puez
  • Rifugio Carlo Valentini
  • Ütia Toni Demetz

Logistics

Getting there
Drive or bus to Passo Pordoi: summer buses from Canazei in Val di Fassa and from Arabba. Canazei has buses from Bolzano (1 h 30).
Getting back
Same point as start (the trek is a loop).
Permits
No permit required.
Booking
Book by March for July and August. Ütia Toni Demetz is small and Rifugio Puez fills early; weekday nights are easier than weekends.

Season & difficulty

Best season
Late June to late September
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Passo Pordoi (bus from Canazei or Arabba)
End
Same as start (loop)

What to pack

  • B-rated approach boots
  • 25–30 L pack
  • Sleeping-bag liner
  • Waterproof shell
  • Head-torch
  • Cash

FAQ

How long is the Sella Ronda Trek?

About 60 km with 3,800 m of ascent, walked in 5 days. The loop sleeps at Rifugio Kostner al Vallon, Rifugio Puez, Rifugio Carlo Valentini and Ütia Toni Demetz.

Is the Sella Ronda Trek hard?

Moderate. No via ferrata, well-marked trails, daily ascents of 530 to 920 m. The third day is the long one at about 7 hours. Suitable for fit first-time hut-to-hut walkers.

Can I shorten the Sella loop with cable cars?

Yes: Sass Pordoi, the Vallon chairlift from Corvara, Dantercepies at Passo Gardena and the Forcella Sassolungo cabin lift from Passo Sella all touch the route. Useful if the weather turns or you want to skip a climb.

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