Sentiero Attrezzato del Cacciatore

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato del Cacciatore is a historic route that climbs the eastern wall of Sass Maor, in the central sector of the Pale di San Martino. This is a demanding itinerary with significant elevation gain, whose technical difficulty has been greatly reduced by recent safety upgrades. The route develops mainly along ledges and gullies, offering continuous, physically challenging progression rather than technical complexity.

Approach

Access begins from Prati Fosne, in Val Canali. From Fiera di Primiero (TN), take SS 347 toward Agordo for about 5 km to the hairpin turn with the sign for Val Canali. Drive up the valley, pass the Hotel Casera, keep right, and continue to the parking area. From here, follow trail marker 719 northeast, initially through dense conifer forest. Once out of the woods, the trail continues on a gentle incline as it climbs the broad, sunlit Val Pradidali to the junction at Pedemonte (about 1 hour 30 minutes). Leave the path to Rifugio Pradidali and turn left onto trail marker 742, which climbs steeply over gravel and scree beneath the colossal eastern walls of Sass Maor. The start of the via ferrata is clearly visible near a prominent debris cone (2 hours total from the parking area). This gradual approach allows you to appreciate the changing landscape, from the wooded valley to the severe Dolomite architecture.

Via Ferrata

The route begins by climbing the unstable scree zone with the aid of the fixed cables, rejoining the original line. It rounds a rocky spur and ascends leftward along a partially exposed ledge that runs beneath the overhanging walls of Sass Maor. The path alternates at a pleasant rhythm between horizontal sections on protected ledges and short climbs up very climbable rock, with metal stirrups placed at the steeper points. These new fixtures have greatly reduced the difficulties of the historic route, transforming it into a via ferrata of moderate commitment. You then continue along a long, grassy, exposed ledge, round a buttress, and enter the valley that separates Cimerlo from Sass Maor -- a wide, sunlit gully. After a stretch over unstable ground, you reach the passage that was once the crux of the route: a challenging dihedral, now completely overcome by a long series of metal rungs that have eliminated its original difficulty. Exiting this passage, you cross a mixed valley of scree and grass, following the trail markers, until the strenuous but not difficult final climb leads to the col at 2410 meters (2 hours 30 minutes from the start), the end of the Sentiero Attrezzato del Cacciatore. The route is characterized by a sustained, steady pace, with medium-to-high exposure but always well protected, offering grand views over Val Pradidali.

Descent

From the col, two options diverge. To the left, trail marker 747 leads along a ridge and via some equipped sections to the eastern shoulder of Cimerlo (1 hour from the junction), with the possibility of continuing to the summit. This description covers the right-hand option: follow trail marker 742, climbing to Passo della Stanga (2530 m) and then descending to Rifugio Velo della Madonna (2358 m), reachable in about 30 minutes from the junction (5 hours total). From the rifugio, take the Sentiero Attrezzato Depaoli (trail marker 734). This path, which skirts the western walls of Stanga and Cimerlo, features a few easy equipped sections, including a short equipped gully, some ledges, and an easy chimney, before the cables end. It then continues with a long traverse at mid-height, gradually losing elevation with open views over Val Canali, until it returns to Fosne in about 3 hours from the rifugio, for a total of approximately 8 hours 30 minutes from the start of the hike. The descent is therefore long but technically simple, with a more relaxed, contemplative pace.

Useful Notes

This itinerary is very long and demanding in terms of elevation gain, requiring excellent endurance. The technical difficulties are generally low, demanding mainly caution on the many un-cabled sections, where the ground can be uneven or grassy. The originally most challenging passage is now greatly facilitated. Greater difficulties would only be encountered on the optional ascent and descent variant to Cimerlo, which adds alpine commitment. A classic combination is to pair this with the nearby Ferrata Buzzati for the ascent, using the Sentiero del Cacciatore for the descent, creating a highly rewarding loop. For navigation, a detailed map of the Parco Naturale Paneveggio e Pale di San Martino is recommended. This itinerary offers a panoramic and physically complete experience, traversing some of the most spectacular Dolomite environments.