The Fanes plateau is one of the most captivating spots in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, dotted with small lakes and steeped in the legends of the Kingdom of the Fanes.

From the valley floor at Pederü you climb to Rifugi Lavarella and Fanes, the perfect base for exploring the lakes and high plateaux around them.

Fanes Plateau to Rifugio Lavarella: into the Kingdom of the Fanes is one of the routes we gathered by grade and by area: Trekking in the Dolomites: the best trails and how to plan your hike.

How to get there — Pederü (1.548 m)

You start from Rifugio Pederü (1,548 m), at the head of Val dai Tamersc above San Vigilio di Marebbe. The road up to it is a toll road and ends in the large car park in front of the hut of the same name. From here the steep military road climbs to the plateau. You walk it: the jeep transfer that Rifugio Fanes runs in summer is only for guests staying the night at the hut. In high season the car park fills up fast, so a morning arrival saves you nasty surprises.

The trailhead is in the San Vigilio di Marebbe e Fanes area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.

Stage by stage

1. Ascent from Pederü

Climb the steep military road up to the plateau. If you are sleeping at Rifugio Fanes, the hut runs a jeep up in summer.

2. The huts and lakes of Fanes

Reach Rifugi Lavarella and Fanes, with optional loops among the small alpine lakes.

When to go & weather

June to October is best, once the plateau is clear of snow, the Lavarella and Fanes huts are open and the little lakes such as the Lé de Limo are at their best. June brings the greenest pastures, while late September tints the grass with warm tones and thins the crowds. Summer is the busiest period, helped along by Alta Via 1 hikers passing through. As this is a long trek in the heart of the park, set off early to have enough time and dodge the afternoon thunderstorms. At altitude, even in summer, the air stays cool.

Recommended gear

  • Trekking boots with a good sole, because the full loop tops 15 km
  • Telescopic poles, which help on the steep first climb from Val dai Tamersc
  • A rucksack with plenty of water and lunch, or a budget to stop at a hut
  • Layered clothing and a waterproof shell. The weather turns quickly on the plateau
  • Hat, glasses and sun cream for the long, shadeless open stretches
  • A map or GPS track, useful because the plateau is vast and the trails interweave

Useful tips

  • If you are staying at Rifugio Fanes, ask about the jeep from Pederü and save your energy for the plateau rather than the military climb
  • Give time to the loop of the Fanes lakes and the Lé de Limo. They are the scenic heart of the trip and keep the Ladin legends of the Kingdom of the Fanes
  • The Lavarella, at 2,050 metres in the middle of the plateau, has its own brewery. A stop here is almost a ritual
  • Fill your bottles right at the start, because the real water points are concentrated at altitude
  • Respect the rules of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park and keep to the waymarked trails

Huts and rest points

  • Rifugio Lavarella (2050 m) — Sull'altopiano di Fanes, con dentro il birrificio più alto d'Europa. Details →

Frequently asked questions

Can you shorten the climb up to Fanes?

Only if you are sleeping at Rifugio Fanes: in summer the hut takes its overnight guests up from Pederü by jeep, as its website says. Everyone else walks up.

Can you stay overnight at the refuges on the Fanes plateau?

Yes. The Lavarella and Fanes refuges offer paid overnight stays and make a perfect base for splitting the walk over several days or for tackling the stages of the Alta Via 1. In high season book, and well ahead.

Is there a shuttle from Pederü to the Fanes huts?

Rifugio Fanes says on its website that in summer it runs a jeep transfer for guests staying the night. We have not found a service open to everyone on an official source: if you are not staying over, plan to walk up, and ask the hut for details when you book.

Is the Fanes plateau suitable for a walk with dogs?

Yes, if your dog is used to long walks. Bear in mind the length of the route and the rules of the nature park. Bring enough water for the dog too, as springs are scarce on the way up.