Forni’s Glacier Valley offers for tourists countless naturalistic, historic and geological hikes and trails for walks or MTB.
The routes run along the Val Cedéc and the Valle dei Forni ( located in the center of the Ortles – Cevedale group). The valley is crossed by the Frodolo river, fueled by the glacier, and is rich with spectacular forrests and pastures filled with flowers.
All the hikes start from the bottom of the valley and go at altitude towards the huts, with the 13 magnificient summits that overlook the whole valley.
You can spot various local fauna and flora along the trails.
HOW TO GET TO FORNI VALLEY :
From Santa Caterina take the paved toll road (5km) from March until October/November. Daily ticket fee: 5€
There you will find large parking lots, from where the main trails start, all marked and easy to follow.
Active in summer the taxi-jeep service : More details here
HUTS AND RESTAURANTS IN FORNI AND CEDEC VALLEYS:
- RIFUGIO STELLA ALPINA
Hut-Restaurant along the Forni street. Approximately 3km from Santa Caterina. Can be reached by foot (1hour) or by car.
tel. 371 4343425 – 331 6676177 - RIFUGIO FORNI
Loc. Forni 4Km from S. Caterina, near the parking ( racheable by car from March until October).
tel. 0342 935365 - RIFUGIO BRANCA
can be reached by foot, by MTB or by the jeep-taxi services.
tel. 0342 935501 - RIFUGIO PIZZINI
can be reached by foot, by MTB or by the jeep-taxi services
tel. 0342 935513 - RIFUGIO CASATI
can be reached by foot, by MTB or by the jeep-taxi services until Rifugio Pizzini.
tel. 0342 1856578
Here are some excursion ideas:
1. Santa Caterina – Forni trail map
An alternative to the paved road. Easy walk starting from the parking near the river and going uphill along the rivers left side.
2. Rifugio Forni – Rifugio Branca : on the lower glaciological path
3. Rifugio Forni – Rifugio Branca : on the higher glaciological path
Closest trail to the glacier along a very adventurous path, crossing alpine rivers and rope bridges.
4. Rifugio Forni – Rifugio Pizzini trail map
This is a naturalistic and historic hike. Along the way you’ll be able to see findings and evidence dating back to the 1st World War: trails, trenches and old military cabin remains.
5. Santa Caterina- Val Cerena – Valle dei Forni – Ables – Santa Caterina : santa caterina – val cerena -forni ; sentiero Forni – Ables – Santa Caterina
Ring trail starting from Santa Caterina towards the Forni Valley and returning back in town along two very naturalistic and panoramic routes.
6. Rifugio Forni – Rifugio Casati – The 3 cannons : conquer the glacier along the 1st World War trails
A classic excursion for the lovers of mountaineering on rock and snow. The hike takes about 3 hours and has about 1000m of altitude difference .
And for those that want to expirience the mountains for a longer full immersion period, there are multi-day routes along the Ortles-Cevedale mountain group . More details down below:
Confinale Lap : Confinale Lap Map
