A small village at the foot of the Sassolungo, with the cable car up to Col Rodella and a long history of mountain guides.
A short history
Campitello di Fassa, Ciampedel in Ladin, sits at 1,442 metres, just before Canazei, at the foot of the Sassolungo. It is one of the smallest and most compact villages in the valley, with its old core of houses and barns around the church.
Campitello has a strong history tied to the mountains: one of the first mountain-guide societies in the Dolomites was born here in 1873. From this village, generations of guides have set out to lead the earliest mountaineers up the peaks of the Sassolungo and the Catinaccio.
From the centre the cable car climbs to Col Rodella, a balcony over the Sassolungo and the Sella and a gateway to the Sellaronda. In summer it is a handy point for hikes towards the great massifs; in winter it links the village to the valley's ski carousel.
By the late 1800s Campitello was already one of the first tourist and mountaineering centres in the valley, a destination for scholars and the earliest climbing parties. The historic Mulino and Agnello d'Oro hotels hosted the pioneers of Dolomite ascents. The Casa delle Guide, the guides' house, is still alive in the village, revived by the new generations of Fassa mountain guides.
Col Rodella, with its rounded shape known locally as a panettone, is a hill recognisable from every village in the valley. The cable car climbs about a thousand metres in a few minutes and reaches a terrace open onto the Sassolungo, the Sassopiatto and the Sella group.
How to fit Campitello di Fassa into a three, five or seven day trip: The Dolomites in 3, 5 or 7 Days: How to Plan Your Trip.
What to see
- The Vajolet Towers and refuge, in the Catinaccio group, reachable on a day trip.
- The route to the Vajolet Towers, the classic path among refuges and rock spires.
- The cable car to Col Rodella, with its view over the Sassolungo and access to the Sellaronda loop.
How to get to Campitello di Fassa
By car you leave the A22 Brenner motorway at Egna/Ora and drive up Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa: Campitello comes just before Canazei, at the head of the valley. Those coming from South Tyrol can climb from Bolzano or cross the Dolomite passes in summer. The nearest station is Bolzano, linked to the village by the valley's line buses.
When to go
In summer the Col Rodella cable car opens up walks towards the Sassolungo and the Sella, with June to September the best window. In winter the village sits inside the Fassa ski carousel and close to the Sellaronda. In the shoulder seasons the mood is quieter, but it is worth checking which lifts are open.
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Campitello di Fassa?
The Col Rodella cable car with its view over the Sassolungo, the Vajolet Towers in the Catinaccio and the paths towards the great massifs. The village keeps its old Ladin core and a history tied to mountain guides.
Why is Campitello linked to mountain guides?
Because one of the first mountain-guide societies in the Dolomites was born here in 1873, and generations of village guides have led the earliest mountaineers up the Sassolungo and the Catinaccio.
Where does the Col Rodella cable car go?
It rises from the centre of Campitello up to Col Rodella, a panoramic balcony over the Sassolungo and the Sella group. It is also a gateway to the Sellaronda loop and the high-altitude paths.
What to do in Campitello di Fassa?
In summer you take the cable car up Col Rodella for hikes towards the Sassolungo and Sassopiatto, or head for the Vajolet Towers in the Catinaccio. In winter the village joins the Fassa ski carousel and the Sellaronda. It is also a historic base for guided mountaineering.
Why is Campitello di Fassa famous?
It was one of the first tourist and mountaineering centres in the valley, with the historic Mulino and Agnello d'Oro hotels and a long tradition of mountain guides. Today it is known for the Col Rodella cable car and the view over the Sassolungo.
How do you get to Campitello di Fassa?
By car you leave the A22 at Egna/Ora and drive up the valley to just before Canazei. The nearest railway station is Bolzano, from which line buses reach the village.