Rifugio Stevia and Col dala Pieres Day Hike, Val Gardena (original) (raw)

The day hike to the Rifugio Stevia mountain hut and the Col dala Pieres (also written Col dla Pieres) summit (2747 m) is one of the finest hiking tours in the Italian Dolomites.

While most people visiting Val Gardena make a beeline for the Seceda Ridgeline, only a few know about this exciting alternative in Puez-Odle Nature Park.

This hike delivers mesmerizing views of Sassolungo/Langkofel, Sella Group, and the famous Odle/Geisler peaks from an entirely fresh perspective.

Monte de Stevia, Dolomites

Col dala Pieres Hiking Map

When to Hike to Rifugio Stevia and Col dala Pieres

Col dala Piers hiking trail, Val Gardena, South Tyrol

Early June to mid/late October.

Time your visit with the Col Raiser gondola summer operating times. The Col Raiser gondola is generally open from late May until mid-October.

Without the gondola ascent and descent, this hike would be impossibly long (at least 11 hours).

Getting to the Rifugio Stevia Trailhead: Col Raiser Gondola

Col dala Pieres hike, Dolomites

Car

The hike begins at the Col Raiser gondola mountain station. If you’re traveling by car, drive to the Col Raiser valley station in Santa Cristina, Val Gardena.

There’s a large paid parking lot at the valley station with 217 spaces.

Bus

If you’re traveling by transit, you can reach Col Raiser by bus.

From other destinations in Val Gardena, take bus 350 or bus 471 to the Dosses stop in Santa Cristina.

Check out this Val Gardena bus schedule for transit times.

When the Col Raiser gondola is operating, there’s a free shuttle which runs between Dosses and the valley station. The shuttle runs from from 8:30 am to 12 pm.

Col Raiser Gondola Prices

Purchase a round-trip ticket.

If you’re an Alpine Club Member, show your card, and you’ll receive a 1 EUR discount.

Check current pricing.

Rifugio Stevia and Col dala Pieres Trail Description

Col Raiser Top Station to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte (25 minutes)

Rifugio Firenze, Puez-Odle Nature Park, Dolomites

Starting at the Col Raiser gondola top station, hike 25 minutes to Rifugio Firenze/Regensburger Hütte, a lovely mountain refuge in Puez-Odle Nature Park.

This easy path is ever-so-slightly downhill.

Rifugio Firenze to Forcella Piza/Pizascharte (1 hour)

Col dala Pieres hike, Puez-Odle Nature Park, Dolomites

At Rifugio Firenze, the signpost indicates 2 hours to Rifugio Stevia and 2:30 hours to Col dala Pieres.

Walk across the outdoor terrace of Rifugio Firenze and follow the wide gravel path downhill. As you slowly descend along trail 3, enjoy the views of Langkofel.

Keep your eyes out for trail 17B, a narrow path that cuts left into the forest.

Ascend trail 17B all the way to Forcella Piza (Pizascharte, Furcela Piza), the saddle between Muntejela (2643 m) and Mont De Stevia (2555 m).

Forcella Piza, Col dala Pieres hike, Dolomites

The ascent to Forcella Piza takes an hour. 17B initially leads gently uphill through the forest. When you clear the tree line, the path continues to ascend towards a rock wall (Muntejela and Mont De Stevia).

The final stretch to the mountain pass traverses a scree slope, which is heavily bolstered with timber reinforcements.

Forcella Piza to Rifugio Stevia (20 minutes)

Mont de Stevia hike, Cir Peaks and Sella Group, Dolomites

When you get to the Piza saddle, you can head left right away to start the ascent to the Col dala Pieres summit.

Alternatively, you can turn right in order to detour to Rifugio Stevia (Stevia Hütte / Ütia de Stevia).

Even though you’ll have to backtrack to this very point to continue the hike, we recommend hiking to Rifugio Stevia for lunch, or just a drink.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk down to the mountain refuge. The views of Sassolungo (Langkofel), the Sella Group, and Cir Peaks are just fabulous.

Rifugio Stevia to Col dala Pieres (1:30 hours)

Stevia to Col dala Pieres hiking trail, Dolomites

From the hut, return to the Piza saddle and continue northeast to Col dala Pieres (2747 m), signed 1 hour.

Initially, trail 17 follows the contours of the ridge on a level path.

Though the terrain gets rockier, the ascent to the summit is moderate.

In every direction, peaks and ridgelines create a multi-layered masterpiece. The jagged Odle (Geisler) peaks are ever conspicuous.

Col dala Pieres to Forcella Forces de Sieles (45 minutes)

Col dala Pieres summit, Dolomites

From the summit of Col dala Pieres, the trail continues north along the mountain ridge.

This level trail will eventually dip over the ridge in the direction of Forcella Forces de Sieles (2505 m).

Col dala Pieres hiking trail, Val Gardena, Dolomites

This section is quite steep and parts of the route are secured with cables.

Col dala Pieres to Forcella Forces de Sieles secured route, Dolomites

This is the hardest part of the hike and it requires surefootedness and comfort in crumbling limestone terrain.

Forcella Forces de Sieles to Rifugio Firenze (1 hour)

Geisler Peaks, Dolomites

Descend the crumbling Forces de Sieles gully, merging with the Piz Duleda trail.

When you get to level ground, continue along trail 2 in the direction of the Geisler peaks. The long stretch to Rifugio Firenze is spellbinding. The Odle (Geisler) peaks steal the show with their brilliant dagger-like formation.

Rifugio Firenze to Col Raiser Top Station (20 minutes)

Take the exact route back to the Col Raiser gondola, being mindful of the time.

The Col Raiser operating times change throughout the season. But, it’s usually somewhere between 4:15 pm and 4:45 pm.

Where to Stay in Val Gardena

Selva

Selva di Val Gardena, Val Gardena, Dolomites

Hotel Rodella

Budget | Hotel Garni Morene is a clean and comfortable family-run guesthouse, set in an idyllic location outside the town center of Selva. Stay here for the unbeatable price, mountain views, and hospitality. Breakfast included.

Budget | Garni Sunela B&B is an immaculate bed and breakfast with spacious rooms, a spa, bar, parking garage, and a phenomenal breakfast, including fresh eggs from the resident chickens. Check-in is only until 7 pm.

Midrange | Garni Hotel Bel Vert is a B&B in Selva, located on the Biancavieve Slope, outside the town center. Rooms are beautiful and spacious. There’s even a small spa. 3 nights minimum stay.

Midrange-Luxury | Hotel Freina is a welcoming family-run hotel in Selva with an excellent on-site restaurant (serving vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options), wonderful spa, and free garage parking.

Luxury | Linder Cycling Hotel stands out with its bold architecture, stylish urban accents, and laid-back atmosphere. Beyond the captivating design, Linder Cycling Hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a rooftop terrace, indoor pool, bar and the à la carte Luis Eatery restaurant.

Luxury | Hotel Tyrol is a traditional alpine hotel centrally located in Selva. The hotel’s restaurant offers creative interpretations of Ladin tradition with a Tuscan twist. Stay here for the cozy ambience, the wellness area (saunas, indoor and outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, salt cave with chromotherapy), and comfortable rooms. Outdoor parking is free and garage parking is an extra charge.

Midrange – Luxury | Hotel Rodella occupies an idyllic location on a hill overlooking Selva di Val Gardena and surrounded by meadows. The hotel’s elevation affords unbeatable views of Val Gardena and the surrounding mountains. We loved watching the sunset from the hotel: it feels like you have VIP tickets to the Sella and Langkofel burning Dolomites show. Hotel Rodella is also a convenient 10-minute walk to the Col Raiser Gondola valleys station, which makes Puez-Odle Nature Park destinations like Rifugio Firenze, Seceda, Col dala Pieres extremely accessible. Rooms are bright and comfortable. And, the newly-renovated wellness area is stunning.

5-star Luxury | Hotel Granbaita Dolomites is an ode to alpine elegance. This stately hotel pampers guests with its lavish rooms, extensive spa area (7 saunas, indoor-outdoor pool, fitness room, spa), and decadent tasting menus. Book half board.

Look for accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena.

Santa Cristina

Dorfhotel Beludei, Santa Cristina Hotel, Val Gardena

Dorfhotel Beludei

Budget | Hotel Garni Ruscel is a great-value bed and breakfast in Santa Cristina. 4 nights minimum stay in high season.

Budget | Bed & Breakfast Kaserer is a charming B&B with clean, traditional rooms and excellent hospitality. 3 nights minimum stay.

Budget | Garni Le Chalet is a traditional guesthouse in Santa Cristina. Stay here for the cozy atmosphere and affordable room rate. Breakfast is included.

Budget | Smart Hotel Saslong is a no-frills hotel in Santa Cristina featuring modern, minimalist interiors decorated in local wood. Guests have access to a self-service bar, free parking (indoor and outdoor), and on-site restaurant serving local cuisine. This is a perfect place to stay if you’re traveling with friends. Book breakfast!

Midrange | Charme Hotel Uridl is a family-run hotel set in a mountain chalet dating back to the 17th century. Stay here for the cozy and quaint atmosphere and delicious breakfast buffets and dinners.

Top Choice – Luxury | Dorfhotel Beludei is the finest hotel in Santa Cristina and one of the best hotels in the Dolomites. With inspiring mountain views, hiking trails right on the doorstep, and a chef that puts ingenious and creative riffs on regional cuisine, this darling hotel is quite the Dolomites dream. Breakfast, an afternoon snack, and dinner are included in the rate. Read our Dorfhotel Beludei hotel review.

Luxury | Hotel Touring Dolomites is an excellent, family-run hotel with a new spa, rooftop pool, modern rooms, and a fine dining restaurant (half board available). 3-5 nights minimum stay.

Look for accommodation in Santa Cristina.

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More Val Gardena Travel and Hiking Guides

Travel Guides:

Hiking Trails:

Via Ferratas:

Dolomites Trip Planning Essentials

Use our Dolomites Travel Guide to plan an unforgettable trip to Northern Italy.

When to Visit the Dolomites

Winter Season. For skiing and winter activities, the best time to visit is between mid/late December and March.

Summer and Fall Seasons. The best time to road trip and hike in the Dolomites is between mid-June and mid-September. If the weather is stable, the hiking season can easily continue until late October.

Spring Season. We don’t recommend visiting the Dolomites in early spring. Read: May in the Dolomites.

How to Get to the Dolomites

Read How to Get to the Dolomites to find out how to travel to the Dolomites from the closest airports, train stations, and bus terminals.

If you’re traveling without a car, also check out How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car.

Car Rental

The easiest way to travel between hiking destinations in the Italian Dolomites is with your own car. Check out our itineraries for trip inspiration:

We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.

Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.

Check car rental rates here.

Best Places to Stay

Figuring out where to stay in the Dolomites is probably the biggest hurdle to planning a trip to the Dolomites. We’ve created three guides to help you decide where to stay:

We suggest choosing 2-4 bases for your Dolomites trip and spending 2-4 nights in each base.

What to See & Do

During your trip to the Dolomites, you can go via ferrata climbing, culinary hiking, hut to hut hiking, cycling, paragliding, and so much more. We’ve highlighted our favorite experiences in Best Things to Do in the Dolomites.

Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll be surrounded by glorious mountain scenery and incredible natural landmarks.

In Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites, we’ve outlined the most iconic attractions as well as lesser-known destinations across the Dolomites, including Alpe di Siusi, Lago di Braies, and Lago di Sorapis.

Dolomites Packing List

Hiking Gear

Outdoor Photography Gear

Dolomites Hiking Guides

Hiking in the Dolomites is our passion. Year after year, we love discovering new trails and expanding our knowledge of the area. For day hiking, check out Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites. For trekking, take a look at our guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in the Dolomites and Alta Via 1.

For region-specific hiking trails, check out:

Recommended Hiking Guidebook: Cicerone Guide: Shorter Walks in the Dolomites

Recommended Via Ferrata Guidebook: Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites: Vol 1: 75 routes-North, Central and East Ranges.

Moon & Honey Travel is an independent blog created by two passionate hikers. We are able to provide free content to you, because of ads and affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Happy travels and happy trails, Sabrina and Kati