Col de Locia (2,069 m) is less a destination in its own right than a doorway. It is the pass that leads from Capanna Alpina, above Armentarola in the municipality of Badia, towards the Fanes plateau in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. Trail no. 11 runs over it, and in winter the same track is used by ski tourers heading for Fanes and by snowshoers. From Capanna Alpina (1,726 m) it is about 340 m of ascent and just under 2 km.

The climb starts gently, on a track through dwarf pines to Plan de Furcia, with the walls of Piz dles Conturines and Cima Scotoni ahead. Then it steepens: the path passes the gorge of the Sarè stream and climbs in tight hairpins protected by wooden fencing. The stretch is short but steep and often icy, and winter route reports advise beginners and children against it. Allow about an hour for the ascent. Even on a route this short you need a transceiver, shovel and probe, and you should read the avalanche bulletin before setting off.

From the pass the view opens onto the Sella group and the Marmolada. From here you can go back the way you came or carry on with skins: beyond the pass the track crosses Le Gran Plan, a long, almost level plain, towards Ju dal'Ega (Passo Tadega), Malga Gran Fanes and Passo Limo, below which stand Rifugio Fanes and Rifugio Lavarella. Mountain guides also use this route to skin up to Rifugio Fanes, the base for multi-day tours on the plateau.

How Ski Touring to Col de Locia: skinning up from Capanna Alpina, Alta Badia fits with the other ski areas, lifts and seasons included: Skiing in the Dolomites: Ski Areas, Dolomiti Superski and the Sellaronda.

How to get there — Capanna Alpina (1.726 m)

You start from Capanna Alpina (1,726 m), in the municipality of Badia, a starting point for outings into the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. From San Cassiano take the road towards Passo Valparola: just after Armentarola a signposted turn-off leads to Capanna Alpina and its car park, which is free in winter (in summer you pay). Alternatively, leave the car at the Sarè car park (1,660 m) on the main road, where there is also a bus stop: from there it is about a 20-minute walk to Capanna Alpina. In winter carry winter tyres or chains. From the car park, pick up trail no. 11, signposted for Col de Locia.

The trailhead is in the Alta Badia area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.

Stage by stage

1. From Capanna Alpina to Plan de Furcia

From the car park follow trail no. 11. The first stretch is a gently rising track through dwarf pines to the flat ground of Plan de Furcia.

2. The hairpins below Col de Locia

The gradient picks up: you pass the gorge of the Sarè stream and climb tight hairpins protected by wooden fencing. This is the hardest stretch, short but steep and often icy. Go steadily and decide on the spot whether to take your skis off.

3. At the pass: head back or carry on to Fanes

About an hour from the start you reach Col de Locia, with views of the Sella group and the Marmolada. From here you return the same way, back down the hairpins, or carry on with skins across the Le Gran Plan plain towards Malga Gran Fanes and the Fanes and Lavarella huts.

When to go & weather

This is a midwinter route, once snow covers the trail from Capanna Alpina upwards. Mountain guides run ski tours on Fanes from January to April. The spot to watch is the hairpins below the pass, which are often icy, especially after a thaw. Avalanche danger changes from one day to the next, so decide on the day's bulletin, not on the calendar. Pick a settled spell and set off in the morning, all the more if you plan to carry on towards Fanes.

Recommended gear

  • Touring skis with bindings and skins, plus ski crampons for hard snow
  • Crampons in your pack, in case the hairpins below the pass are icy
  • Transceiver, shovel and probe on you, and the practice to use them for real
  • Helmet and goggles or glasses for the descent
  • Breathable layers, a spare pair of gloves and a windproof shell
  • A hot flask, something to eat and a small emergency kit

Useful tips

  • Read the South Tyrol avalanche bulletin the night before, check it again in the morning, and match the outing to the day's danger level
  • Before you set off, do a transceiver transmit-and-search test with the whole group
  • Take the hairpins below the pass slowly and decide on the spot whether to take your skis off: the ground is steep and often icy
  • If the Capanna Alpina car park is full, start from Sarè: it adds about a 20-minute walk
  • If you want to cross Fanes and come down to Pederü, towards San Vigilio di Marebbe, sort out the car shuttle beforehand
  • If you are aiming for Rifugio Fanes or Rifugio Lavarella, check their winter opening dates first
  • If your grounding in snow and avalanches is still thin, go with a mountain guide

Frequently asked questions

What do you need for ski touring at Col de Locia?

Skis, skins and ski crampons, plus a transceiver, shovel and probe that you really know how to use. For the hairpins below the pass, which are often icy, consider bringing crampons too. Always read the avalanche bulletin before setting off. If in doubt, go with a mountain guide.

Is Col de Locia a good first ski tour?

The climb is short, but the hairpin section below the pass is steep and often icy, and winter route reports advise beginners against it. It only works if you already have some grounding: you need to be able to skin up on hard snow and handle the self-rescue kit. For a true first time, go with a mountain guide.

How long does it take to skin up to Col de Locia?

From Capanna Alpina allow about an hour for the roughly 340 metres of ascent. The return follows the same route, and the icy hairpins need to be taken slowly. If you carry on towards Fanes, snowshoe route reports give about two and a half hours from Capanna Alpina to Malga Gran Fanes.

Can you do Col de Locia on snowshoes?

Yes, it is the same route. For the steep stretch below the pass you need snowshoes with good crampons. From the pass you can carry on across the Le Gran Plan plain towards Fanes.

Where do I find the avalanche bulletin for this area?

Col de Locia is in South Tyrol (Alto Adige), in the municipality of Badia, so the reference is the South Tyrol avalanche bulletin, updated daily in winter. Always cross-check it with the weather forecast to work out what the day is really like.