Val Pettorina

Rocca Pietore and the Marmolada, Queen of the Dolomites

The Pettorina Valley (Italian: Val Pettorina) is a valley of the Dolomites UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site located in the High Agordino area (Province of Belluno, Veneto Region). This valley is characterized by the course of the Pettorina River (tributary of the Cordevole) and corresponds to the territoriy of the Municipality of Rocca Pietore.

The Val Pettorina stretches in the narrow and deep valley created by the imposing peaks of the Marmolada Group (2nd of the 9 official Dolomites Systems according to the Dolomites UNESCO Foundation) from the hamlet of Saviner near Caprile (Municipality of Alleghe), where the Pettorina River meets the Cordevole, to the southern wall of Mount Marmolada.

The Val Pettorina (in background beyond the Val Fiorentina) with Mount Marmolada

La Val Pettorina da Cima Sasso Bianco — Val Pettorina from Cima Sasso Bianco

Partenza della Funivia della Marmolada a Malga Ciapela — Valley station of the Marmolada Cable Car in the hamlet of Malga Ciapela

The Serrai di Sottoguda

The Pettorina is a very narrow valley of the Dolomites surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Marmolada group (Sasso Bianco, Cime d’Auta, Monte Migogn, Crepe Rosse and the Marmolada itself, among the others); from the foot of the Marmolada in Malga Ciapela (the valley station of the Marmolada Cable car) to the charming hamlet of Sottoguda (an Italian Yellow Flag village for being one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Italy), guests of the valley can walk though the breathtaking Serrai di Sottoguda, a 2.5 kilometers (1.5 mile) long natural canyon dug by the water of the Pettorina River. The place is so amazing that has been included in the Marmolada Natural Reserve: the access to the canyon is free in winter time whereas in summer it requires a small fee, entirely used for the maintenance and cleaning of the place. Furthermore, in winter the steeps wall of the Serrai di Sottoguda canyon get covered in ice and many ice climbing enthusiasts meet here for some thrilling ice climbing experiences: the annual Ice Climbing Meeting in January is the celebration of this sport. In summer, a nice sightseeing tour of the canyon is at the guests’ disposal thanks to the tourist train for families that goes up and down the canyon for the whole day. Many cultural events and exhibition find place throughout summer in the Serrai canyon.

Val Pettorina | Not just alpine skiing

Val Pettorina is also well-known for being the easiest access to the ski slopes of Mount Marmolada, to the Arabba aki area and consequently to the Sellaronda ski tour thanks to the Marmolada cable car in Malga Ciapela (Dolomiti Superski); this record-breaking ski area boasts the highest peak in the Dolomites (Mount Marmolada, 3343 meters) as well as the longest ski slopes of the Dolomiti Superski (“La Bellunese”, 12 km, 7.5 miles) and the most challenging ski slope of the Dolomiti Superski (“La Fodoma”).

Enthusiasts of Nordic skiing finds in Val Pettorina a marvellous ski circuit in the hamlet of Malga Ciapela, the Marmolada Nordic Ski Area; this place offers a wide range of services and allows the practice of Cross-Country skiing in one of the most striking natural setting of the Dolomites. Furthermore, the nice “La Volpe ti Guarda” snowshoes walk is accessible a few steps far from the Marmolada Nordic Ski Center, and showshoes can be rent on site for a marvelous family experience in the Heart of the Dolomites.

In summer, Mount Marmolada is a popular destination for sports enthusiasts and the village at its foot a beloved tourist resort for guests looking for excellent gastronomy, amazing landscapes and a taste of genuine dolomitic tradition. The excursions to the different peaks of the Marmolada Group (like Piz Zorlet, Sasso Bianco, Monte Migogn, just to name a few of them) are fulfilling and marvelous: mountain enthusiasts will love Val Pettorina, you can bet on it! Furthermore, the small hamlet of Sottoguda is definitely worth a visit: this place has recently been added to the list of the most beautiful villages of Italy [*I Borghi più belli d’Italia].

La Val Ombretta ai piedi della Marmolada — The Val Ombretta at the foot of the Marmolada

Saviner e Caprile da Cima Sasso Bianco — The access to the Val Pettorina

La Grande Guerra in Val Pettorina

Mount Marmolada is also well-known for having been one of the Alpine frontlines of the Great War; in addition to the military posts on Mount Marmolada, guests can also visit the Great War Museum in Punta Serauta (the intermediate station of the Marmolada cable car) and the Delcroix Multimedial Center in Sottoguda (in the same building of the Tourist Office).

Monuments:

– Sottoguda historic hamlet;
– Holy Mary’s grotto on the Marmolada;
– Santa Maria delle Grazie Sanctuary

Museums:

– Marmolada Great War Museum 3000M;
– Delcroix Multimedial Center in Sottoguda;
– Great War Museum on Passo Fedaia
– Marmolada Natural Reserve and Serrai di Sottoguda Canyon

Other attractions:

– Dolomites (Marmolada);
– Punta Rocca panoramic terrace (the highest in the Dolomites)
– Sellaronda;
– Marmolada cable car;
– Serrai Express tourist train;
– Malga Ciapela, Val Ombretta;
– Rifugios;
– Bramezza Turkish village;
– Ice Kart Civetta circuit;
– Sottoguda’s wrought iron shops

Events & traditions:

– Na Sera da Zacan (in July and August);
– La Sbriseda (Vintage ski meeting on the Marmolada);
– Ice Climbing Meeting (January);
– Laste Ciaspamoon (snowshoes walk in Laste, twice a year).