WALKING ROUTES: Val Badia

On Santa Croce/Heiligkreuzkofel: impressive tour on Fanes top

Starting-point: Pederu/Pederü (1545 mt.)
At a glance: Pederu/Pederü – Rifugio Fanes/Faneshütten - Santa Croce/Heiligkreuzkofel - return
Highest point: Santa Croce/Heiligkreuzkofel (2908 mt.)
Difference in altitude: 1363 m (868 m from Fanes)
Difficulty: four climbing-boots hike

Useful advice: this is a long but easy hike, which can be faced along two days spending the night at Malga Fanes Piccola/Klein Fanes. It offers an unforgettable experience in the fantastic Dolomites world of Fanes (“Fanes, Sennes e Braies” natural park). The hike is suitable also for young boys used to long walks. The path covers the easiest side of the top and offers an incredible 360-degrees view. Only in the last stretch before the top some passages can be difficult. Equipment: mountain wears, boots, snacks and drinks.

Itinerary description: we go by car to S. Vigilio/St. Vigil (1201 mt.) and to Pederu Hotel (1545 mt.). Now we can proceed either on a wide road or on a signalled and gravelled path across the steep fields and the rocky valley till the basin of Piccolo Fanes/Klein Fanes with its managed huts (Rifugio Fanes Hütte, 2060 mt.; Rifugio La Varella/Lavarella/VarellahUtte, 2040 mt.) located roughly 2 hours far from Pederu/Pederü. From Rifugio La Varella/Lavarella/Varellahütte we go up south-westwards on footpath number 12, then we go over the slopes in the west arriving at a basin (2370 mt.).
Later we go westwards to Forcella Santa Croce/Heiligkreuzkofel (2608 mt.) covering footpath number 7 and crossing the rocky slopes on a medium-steep ascent. Following this footpath we turn right along the western slopes and then we continue north-westwards along a not very steep ascent till the last stretch of the top.
Many hairpin bends take us to the top’s cross, located about 3 hours and ½ far from the Malga Fanes Piccola/Klein Fanes. Descent: along footpath number 7 we reach Malga Fanes Piccola/Klein Fanes, then we continue to go down on the same footpath till Pederu/Pederü (it takes 3 hours and ½).

Maps: Freytag & Berndt, sheet S 3 (Val Pusteria/Pustertal - Brunico/Bruneck - Tre Cime); Kompass, sheet 57 (Brunico/Bruneck - Dobbiaco).