The Torri del Vajolet are slender, near-vertical spires rising at the core of the Catinaccio group, and for anyone who loves the mountains they are far more than a fine view. This is where the great names of classical mountaineering climbed — from Tita Piaz to Georg Winkler — leaving routes that alpinists still repeat today like chapters of history. At their base stand Rifugio Vajolet, built as early as 1897 by the Leipzig section of the German-Austrian Alpine Club and extended several times since, and the neighbouring Rifugio Re Alberto I, looking out over the Gartl cirque directly beneath the towers.
The most popular approach starts from the Gardeccia area, reached from Vigo di Fassa by gondola to Ciampedie and then a short stretch on foot or by shuttle. From there a well-marked path climbs to the Vajolet and Preuss refuges, and those who want to push higher can continue to Re Alberto I at over 2,600 metres, on a more demanding scree trail. It is a walk for fit legs, but it requires no technical skill — that is only needed by those who actually want to put their hands on the towers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you reach Rifugio Vajolet?
Take the gondola from Vigo di Fassa to Ciampedie, make your way to Gardeccia, and from there a trail leads to the Vajolet and Preuss refuges in just over an hour of uphill walking.
Do you need to be a mountaineer to reach the refuges?
No. For Rifugio Vajolet and Rifugio Preuss, good hiking fitness is enough; the stretch to Re Alberto I is steeper but remains a trail. Climbing the Torri del Vajolet themselves is reserved for experienced alpinists.