Val di Fassa: what to see, do and where to stay

Val di Fassa follows the Avisio torrent through northern Trentino, flanked by some of the most beloved massifs in the Dolomites: the Catinaccio with its Gothic spires, the Sassolungo, the Sella, and at the far end the towering bulk of the Marmolada. Seven municipalities succeed each other between 1,200 and 1,500 metres of altitude, from Moena — the so-called fairy of the Dolomites — to Canazei and Campitello at the foot of the great passes. It is a valley with a welcoming, familiar character, where severe mountain scenery coexists with soft meadows and lively village centres.

Val di Fassa is the only valley in Trentino where Ladin is still in everyday use, protected by schools, the Istituto Culturale Ladino, and the Museum Ladin de Fascia in Vigo. It is on these very peaks that the legend of King Laurin and his rose garden is set: the story goes that the king, vanquished in battle, placed a curse on his roses so that they could never be seen again — neither by day nor by night — forgetting the one hour of twilight. That is why the Catinaccio turns deep red as the sun goes down, the phenomenon known as enrosadira.

In winter, the wide ski circuits of the Catinaccio are skied and the Sellaronda is entered from Canazei and Campitello; in summer the valley becomes a base for via ferratas, trekking, and ascents toward the Torri del Vajolet and the Marmolada. There is also a long tradition of spa culture linked to the mineral springs at Pozza, and a packed calendar of traditional festivals. The Fassans, proud of their cultural autonomy, have built their valley's reputation on tourism without allowing it to erase their identity.

When to go & weather — Val di Fassa

In winter, from December to April, skiers ride the wide circuits of the Catinaccio and access the Sellaronda from Canazei and Campitello. In summer, from June to September, it is the season for via ferratas, trekking, and ascents toward the Marmolada and the Torri del Vajolet. The enrosadira — the crimson glow on the Catinaccio at sunset — is most spectacular on clear summer evenings. September brings cool air, still-green meadows, and traditional Ladin events such as the transhumance re-enactments.

How to get there — Val di Fassa

From the north, descend from Val Gardena and Alta Badia via the Passo Sella, the Pordoi, or the Costalunga pass; from the south, come up from Cavalese along the Val di Fiemme. Drivers on the A22 motorway exit at Ora-Egna or Bolzano Sud and follow the Val d'Ega toward the Costalunga pass, beside Lago di Carezza. The nearest rail station is Ora, linked to the valley by scheduled buses; in season, coaches and shuttles also serve Moena, Campitello, and Canazei. The valley has seven municipalities spread between 1,200 and 1,500 metres of altitude, from Moena to Canazei.