The wall towering above you, the challenge of the routes, the effort. The sweat, the aching fingers and toes, the strain. The distance shrinking bit by bit, the rests when you feel you can’t go on, the excitement of the last few metres. Climbing is all this and much more: love for the mountains and a challenge with yourself. Nothing is ever taken for granted, and being able to climb in a setting as spectacular as Val di Fassa is a very special bonus.
In addition to the indoor climbing walls in the valley (in Moena there is one in the middle school gym), there are countless routes available, each more beautiful than the last. We have chosen 5 for you.
Two splendid south-facing crags you can climb all year round, except when there is snow. You reach them along the road to the San Pellegrino Pass, at Ronchi. Take the no-entry road heading back towards Moena; after 300 m, a path on the right quickly leads to the gully.
Here there are around twenty short routes of medium-high difficulty, from 6a/b up to 7b. Excellent bolting on clean limestone.
A crag that is a real challenge even for the most experienced. Entering the San Nicolò valley from Pozza di Fassa – one of the most loved valleys, admired for its stunning scenery – just before it opens onto the meadows, a path on the left leads straight to the Masso di Kendo. There are many crags in the area, about 30, all clearly visible. All the routes are demanding, suitable for professionals or experts, starting from 7a, with several overhanging sections and many grade-8 routes, up to 8b.
Moving away from Moena towards easier routes, in Alba di Canazei there is a lovely crag for beginners: the perfect place to tackle your first walls, get to know the rock and face your first difficulties without too much risk or height. Just outside Alba, towards the Marmolada, you will find two splendid blocks of volcanic rock, a few metres from the road and a convenient car park. Good, easy holds and routes graded between 4 and 6 offer anyone a pleasant first experience.
One of the most iconic and interesting places for climbing on the Dolomite passes. Along the road from Canazei to the Sella Pass, park near the Schiavaneis and Monti Pallidi huts and you will reach the routes in a few minutes. Crossing the stream towards the wall, you will find 4 parallel sectors:
An area truly for all tastes.
One of the most beautiful, varied and important open-air climbing areas in Italy, in a breathtaking natural setting, the Città dei Sassi (“City of Stones”) offers a splendid series of crags near the lifts to the Sassolungo. Park at the foot of the gondola and take the path branching off to the right from the car park. In a few minutes you will come across a series of dolomite rock formations, which are actually huge boulders that broke away from the Sassolungo over the centuries. It is a very popular spot, both with tourists (the gently sloping dirt road and incredible scenery are inviting) and with climbers coming from Val Gardena. There are no fewer than 157 single-pitch routes, graded from 3 to 7c+.
