The Serrai di Sottoguda is a narrow, spectacular gorge at the foot of the Marmolada that turns in winter into one of the most famous ice-climbing playgrounds in the Alps.
Ice climbing here is for experienced, well-equipped alpinists. The canyon itself, though, stays open to all as a scenic winter walk.
How to get there — Sottoguda (1.250 m)
The access point is the village of Sottoguda, at 1,250 m, a hamlet of Rocca Pietore at the foot of the Marmolada, from which you enter the narrow Serrai canyon. Arrive by car up the Agordino on the road towards Malga Ciapela and Passo Fedaia, with car parks at the entrance to the village. Sottoguda is also served by the Agordino scheduled buses and is a few minutes from the Marmolada cable car. Cars are not allowed inside the gorge and the old tourist train is no longer running, so you walk through it on foot. For ice climbing you still approach the falls on foot along the gorge, following the Pettorina stream.
The trailhead is in the Arabba e Marmolada area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. Entering the gorge
Walk through the narrows between ice-encrusted walls.
2. The frozen cascades
Reach the great frozen falls that draw ice climbers from across Europe.
When to go & weather
The ice-climbing season runs December to February, when the deep cold welds the waterfalls inside the canyon. The best conditions come in the coldest spells, but always check them, because the hold of the ice changes quickly with the temperature. Cold, settled days are the safest, while thaws and warm spells make the ice flows unstable and dangerous. If you do not climb, you can still walk through the gorge. Between walls hundreds of metres high and frozen waterfalls, it is one of the most spectacular winter walks in the Dolomites.
Recommended gear
- Waterfall ice axes and technical crampons for those climbing on the ice
- Harness, helmet and a set of ice screws
- Ropes, quickdraws and gear for building belays
- Rigid boots, compatible with crampons
- Technical winter clothing, spare gloves and a thermal layer
- Microspikes and poles for those simply walking through the canyon
Useful tips
- Ice climbing is for experienced, well-equipped alpinists only. On the ice you do not improvise
- Always check the state of the waterfalls before climbing. They change within a few hours
- Avoid thaw days or those with a sharp rise in temperature, when the ice flows turn fragile
- If you do not climb, do the walk anyway. The frozen canyon is walkable and beautiful
- For a first taste of ice, rely on an alpine guide from the Marmolada area
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Serrai di Sottoguda without climbing?
Yes. You walk the canyon on foot as a stroll, in winter too, and it is worth it. Climbing the ice falls, on the other hand, is only for experienced, well-equipped mountaineers.
How long is the Serrai di Sottoguda canyon?
The gorge is about two and a half kilometres long between Sottoguda and Malga Ciapela, with walls that in places top a hundred metres and narrow to a few metres across. The walk is almost flat, and there and back it takes a couple of hours at an easy pace.
Do you need experience to climb the ice falls at Sottoguda?
Yes, absolutely. Ice climbing is for experienced mountaineers kitted out with ice axes, crampons, ice screws and a good reading of winter conditions. Some famous falls, like the Cattedrale, draw ice climbers from all over Italy, but they are no place for beginners.
Can you visit the Serrai di Sottoguda with children?
As a winter walk, yes, the canyon is fine for families, as long as they are well wrapped up against the cold and wearing footwear suited to the icy surface. Do note that the gorge was badly damaged by storm Vaia in 2018 and reopened to walkers only in summer 2025, and the old shuttle train is no longer running. Climbing the falls, on the other hand, stays off-limits to anyone who is not experienced.