Malga Ciapela

Malga Ciapela lies at an altitude of 1,450 metres at the foot of the Marmolada. The village is both the starting point for the Marmolada – Move to the Top cable car and a destination between high-alpine history, winter sports and various hiking destinations. This makes Malga Ciapela particularly suitable for travellers who want to choose their accommodation based on a specific mountain area and different experiences.

Taking the cable car to Punta Rocca

The Marmolada – Move to the Top cable car starts in Malga Ciapela. Divided into three sections, the cable car leads to Punta Rocca at an altitude of 3,265 metres. From Malga Ciapela, the panoramic terrace at Punta Rocca can be reached by cable car in just a few minutes. The cable car is also accessible to visitors with disabilities.

At an altitude of 3,000 metres, the second floor of the Serauta cable car station houses the Museo Marmolada Grande Guerra 3000 m. The 300-square-metre exhibition focuses on the lives of soldiers and the difficult conditions of warfare in the high mountains. The area also includes the Fortilizio Italiano di Punta Serauta, with its command posts, observation posts, positions, quarters, barracks, trenches and communication trenches.

Ski area and winter activities

The Arabba-Marmolada ski area can be accessed from Malga Ciapela. The area has 62 kilometres of slopes and 27 lifts. One particularly notable run is the La Bellunese ski slope: it starts at Punta Rocca, runs over Passo Fedaia to Malga Ciapela and is 12 kilometres long. Cross-country skiing is also possible in Malga Ciapela as a winter activity. Snowshoe hikes are also possible in the Rocca Pietore area.

Serrai di Sottoguda: nature and history

The Serrai di Sottoguda nature reserve stretches for about two kilometres between Sottoguda and Malga Ciapela at the foot of the Marmolada. The Serrai di Sottoguda is closed to traffic and offers a walk suitable for adults and children. In summer, it is ideal for peaceful family hikes.

At the lower end of the Serrai di Sottoguda are two galleries carved into the rock. They were built during the First World War as storage facilities for ammunition and explosives. The small Chiesa di Sant'Antonio dei Serrai, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, is also located there. Mass is celebrated every year on 13 June.

Hiking destinations around Malga Ciapela

The Valle Ombretta can be reached via a walk of about one and a half hours through forests and high-altitude pastures. It is home to the Geographical Centre of the UNESCO Dolomites; at the same time, the Valle Ombretta is one of the recommended summer destinations from Malga Ciapela. The Valle Franzedàz can be reached on foot from Malga Ciapela in about an hour. This means that, in addition to the high-altitude cable car and ski area, quieter landscapes can also be taken into account when choosing a location.

More destinations in the selection

For further orientation, you can also explore Alleghe, Selva Di Cadore, Vigo di Cadore, Colderù, Borca Di Cadore, Padola, Colmean and Rivamonte Agordino.

For the overarching travel overview: Belluno.