PAOLINA REF.-RODA DE VAEL REF.-CIAMPEDIE REF.

From Costalunga Pass (1758m), that you can reach by the route coming from Vigo di Fassa, go up through a modern chair lift untill the Refuge Paolina  (2130m), just at the feet of the huge Roda de Vael (2723m). Then take the path n°539 that climbs up on the right of the refuge through some steep sharp turns. Then the way becomes wider and rather flat; in around five minutes you'll reach the wonderful bronzed eagle dedicated to T. Christomannos. After a brief breake to take some photos with the statue, go on along the same path, that joins with the path n°549 coming from Fronza alle Coronelle Refuge. The way rimains flat with a lot of turns until the little valley where the Refuge Roda de Vael  (2283m) and the little Refuge Marino Pederiva  lies. From here you can enjoy a wonderful sight on the Roda de Vael, buit also the landscape on the Fassa Valley and the Sella Groupe deserves  a great appreciation. Then go on along the path n°545 that just behind the Refuge Pederiva looses rapidly altitude through a steep descent. Even if it's not very long, you'll take around 15-30 minutes to walk it down, because of the unsteady sones on the path (be carefull!!). After this stretch, the way becomes flat e crosses a meadow. At the fork to Vigo di Fassa take the path on the left that after some minutes enters the wood. The road is now a little narrow and continues to climb down. The roots of the trees make the walk more difficult and in a very short stretch a spare rope helpls you to cross an overhanging rock (for the ones who don't suffer from vertigo it is not necessary). After a quarter of hour the paths climbs up a little hill and becomes wider and wider; at the top of the hill, you'll reach the transitable route that during the winter is the ski-piste that leads to Vigo di Fassa. In a few minutes you'll reach the Refuge Nigritella  (1990m) and the Refuge Ciampedie (1998m), from where the sight on the Catinaccio (and not only) is wonderfull. Through the modern cableway you can reach Vigo di Fassa. 

Photos