Sass da Ciampac and the Crespëina High Plateau Day Hike, Puez Dolomites

Sass da Ciampac is the highest peak in the Cir Group in the Italian Dolomites. The Cir Group forms part of the Puez mountain range and is situated firmly in the Puez-Odle Nature Park of South Tyrol, Italy. 

The hike to Sass da Ciampac is a moderate one, beginning at Passo Gardena (Grödnerjoch in German, Jëuf de Frea in Ladin), the mountain pass connecting the valleys of Val Gardena and Val Badia.

Along the way to Sass da Ciampac, you’ll cross the Cir Peaks, drop into Val de Chedul, and make a counter-ascent to Forcella de Crespeina, the gateway to the Crespëina High Plateau. 

This is a great introduction to the Puez mountains. We loved this hike, but it’s a busy one. Start early to avoid the crowds.

If you start early, you could combine this hike with Gran Cir summit.

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Sass da Ciampac Hiking Map

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How to Get to Passo Gardena

Car 

Passo Gardena is accessible from Val Gardena or Val Badia along the paved serpentine SS243 road. 

During the high summer season (July, August), there’s a lot of congestion along this road. You’ll be sharing the road with motorcycles, e-bikes (damn technology!), cyclists (they seem to be multiplying each year!), and regional buses. Driving up here can be frustrating during the middle of the day. So, try to visit early.

Parking at Passo Gardena

There are several paid parking lots at the pass. 

The parking lot adjacent to Rifugio Frara on the Sella side is gated and requires payment as early as 7 am. After your hike, you can pay using cash, or cards, at the parking machine.

The paid parking lot on the Cir side requires a single fee of 6 EUR anytime between 8 am and 6 pm. Someone oversees this parking lot. You’ll pay them directly (cash only) and put the receipt in your dashboard. 

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Bus

If you’re traveling without a car, you can access Passo Gardena by bus. Use the Südtirolmobil website to plan your trip. Alternatively, you can stay directly at the pass at Hotel Cir. 

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Cableway

If you’re based in Selva, there’s no need to drive up to Passo Gardena. Hop on the Dantercepies cable car. The mountain station delivers you directly to trail 12A. Follow Trail 12A until you see the Gran Cir trail sign, steering you left. 

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Crespëina High Plateau Trail Description

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Passo Gardena to Jimmy Hütte (15 minutes)

From Passo Gardena, follow trail 2 to Jimmy Hütte. 

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Jimmy Hütte to Passo Cir/Forcella Cier/Danter les Pizes (40 minutes)

When you arrive at Jimmy hut, continue up the narrow pathway for a few meters (past the kid’s playground). From here, locate the info board (flowers/birds/etc…) and follow the trail leading uphill, northeast. This is trail 2. 

The wide track leading left is 12A, which leads to the Dantercepies cableway mountain station and the turnoff to the Gran Cir via ferrata. 

Trail 2 zigzags up a rocky slope for about 30 minutes. As you gain elevation, the views of the Sella Group and Sassolungo get better and better. 

The trail crests and you’ll follow an easy path through a jungle of rock pinnacles. As you walk between these bizarrely-shaped rocks, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a natural sculpture park. Total LOTR vibes!

Quickly thereafter, the trail climbs up to Passo Cir (2476 m).

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Passo Cir/Forcella Cier/Danter les Pizes to Forcella de Crespeina (25 minutes)

From the pass, locate the sheep gate. From the gate, you’ll follow the path to the head of Val de Chedul valley. You’ll initially descend beneath the Cir Peaks and then make a counter-ascent to Forcella de Crespeina. 

You’ll see Sciliar/Schlern and the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm Plateau on your left. 

The final ascent to the pass is bolstered with some wooden beams. 

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Forcella de Crespeina to Sas Ciampac (20 minutes)

At the pass, trail 2A veers right towards the summit of Sas da Ciampac. With the exception of one short, steep section, which requires some scrambling, the ascent is easy and unproblematic. 

As you hike above the Crespëina High Plateau, you’ll see Lake Crespëina and the Puez mountains. On the other side, your eyes will be drawn to the instantly-recognizable Mount Pelmo and Mount Civetta. 

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Sas Ciampac to the Crespëina High Plateau Trail 2A/2 intersection (1 hour) 

From Sass Ciampac, continue along the ridge on 2A, descending slowly to the Crespëina High Plateau. 

This descent is more difficult than the ascent, because of the slippery and unstable terrain (loose rock). 

Hiking poles are very helpful.

As you descend, views extend to Sassongher, the mountain that towers above Corvara, and the Fanes Group. Soon, you’ll also be able to spot Col dala Pieres, the Odle/Geisler Peaks, and Piz Duleda. 

The trail approaches the red-colored gap between Sas Ciampac and Sas Ciampei. From here, the trail dips down towards the plateau (as opposed to staying on the ridge). It’s obvious, but there is a foot trail that continues along the ridge, which you should ignore. 

From the gap, you’ll continue descending for 1 km to the plateau. The trail levels out eventually and it’s an easy walk to the signed trail 2A/2 intersection

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Optional Detour to Rifugio Puez (30 minutes one-way)

When trail 2A joins trail 2, you can either head back to Forcella de Crespeina on trail 2, or continue to Rifugio Puez for lunch. It’s a 2.8 km hike to the hut. 

You’ll hike up through a crevice, bolstered by wooden beams, to the Forcella de Ciampei/Forcella de Cimpac (2366 m) pass. From here, trail 2 passes over the head of Vallunga/Langental, a U-shaped glacial valley which is an impressive sight from above. 

Rifugio Puez (2475 m) sits at the foot of Col de Puez. It’s a very popular hut, because it’s situated along the long-distance Alta Via 2 trail. 

Note: from the hut, you can descend to Vallunga/Langental (trail 14) and walk to Selva di Val Gardena. If you’re staying in Selva di Val Gardena, we recommend it! Read our Val de Chedul-Vallunga Valley trail guide for a description of the descent from Puez Hut to Vallunga.

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Rifugio Puez – Crespëina High Plateau  – Forcella de Crespeina (50 Minutes on Trail 2)

After lunch at Rifugio Puez, we returned along the same trail, following trail 2 all the way to Forcella de Crespeina and ultimately back to Passo Gardena. 

From the 2A/2 intersection, continue on trail 2 across the karst plateau. You’ll see Lake Crespëina from a closer vantage point, before ascending up to Forcella de Crespeina. 

In the summer pasture months, sheep graze on the plateau as well. 

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Forcella de Crespeina to Passo Gardena (1:10 hours)

Follow the familiar trail back to Passo Gardena. 

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Where to Stay in Alta Badia

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Passo Gardena 

Passo Gardena  (Grödnerjoch in German, Jëuf de Frea in Ladin) is the high mountain pass between the Sella Group and the Cir Group in South Tyrol. The pass connects Val Gardena with Val Badia. Many fantastic hikes start directly at the pass including: Cima Pisciadù, Gran Cir, and Sass da Ciampac.

Midrange | Hotel Cir is situated directly at Passo Gardena. If you’re eager to hike early (before the crowds descend), or photograph sunrise and sunset, this is the best place to stay. Rooms are simple, but clean. The hotel offers a range of rooms including single, dormitory, and double rooms. Breakfast and dinner are available. 

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Colfosco 

Colfosco (Calfosch in Ladin) is the highest village in Alta Badia, situated at an elevation of 1645 meters, between Corvara and Passo Gardena. It lies at the foot of the Sella Group and Sassongher on the edge of Puez-Odle Nature Park. With mesmerizing views of the Sella Group, Colfosco is an excellent base for actively exploring Alta Badia. Its close proximity to Passo Gardena and Passo Sella, makes it easy to explore Val Gardena and Val di Fassa as well.

Budget-Midrange | Pension Mirandola is a family-run guesthouse with spotless rooms and an on-site restaurant (half board available). Stay here for the warm hospitality, affordability, and location. 

Midrange | Crëp Sella is a sparkling clean B&B with spacious and comfortable rooms.

Luxury Apartments | Lüch de Costa is a stylish aparthotel in Colfosco. In 2017, this historic farmstead was transformed into several high-end apartments. This is a great place to stay if you want the independence of an apartment but the convenience and finer features of a hotel (spa area, indoor pool, outdoor whirlpool, breakfast, daily room cleaning). 

Luxury | Hotel Kolfuschgerhof excels on every level, from its excellent wellness facilities and superb Dolomites views to its fine dining, featuring local and Italian cuisine. Design-wise, the hotel is a winning combination of Tyrolean chalet-style and alpine-modern. Expect extraordinary service and the best spa views of your life. 

Luxury | Romantik Hotel Cappella is a newly-renovated 5-star luxury hotel in Colfosco sporting the finest contemporary interiors and furnishings in the region. Guests relish the two on-site restaurants, modern lounge bar, and life-affirming spa overlooking the Sella Group. The wellness area features a brine sauna, a steam sauna, Finnish sauna, child/family-friendly sauna, indoor-outdoor pool, and fitness room. The hotel’s energetic and polished staff ensure that all your needs are met.

Look for accommodation in Colfosco. 

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Selva

Selva di Val Gardena (Wolkenstein in German), the highest village in Val Gardena (1563 m), is blessed with a dramatic setting at the base of the Sella massif.

Selva is also the closest town to Passo Gardena, which is the mountain pass that connects Val Gardena to Val Badia (Alta Badia region), and Passo Sella, the mountain pass that connects Val Gardena to Val di Fassa. 

From Selva, we also recommend hiking the Vallunga Valley and Val de Chedul Circuit Trail, Piz Duleda Peak, Col dala Pieres Peak, the Sassolungo Circuit Trail, and the Oskar Schuster Via Ferrata.

Budget | Hotel Garni Morene is a clean and comfortable family-run guesthouse, set in an idyllic location outside the town center of Selva. Stay here for the unbeatable price, mountain views, and hospitality. Breakfast included.

Midrange | Garni Hotel Bel Vert is a B&B in Selva, located on the Biancavieve Slope, outside the town center. Rooms are beautiful and spacious. There’s even a small spa. 3 nights minimum stay.

Midrange-Luxury | Hotel Freina is a welcoming family-run hotel in Selva with an excellent on-site restaurant (serving vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options), wonderful spa, and free garage parking. 

Luxury | Hotel Tyrol is a traditional alpine hotel centrally located in Selva. The hotel’s restaurant offers creative interpretations of Ladin tradition with a Tuscan twist. Stay here for the cozy ambience, the wellness area (saunas, indoor and outdoor heated pool, indoor and outdoor whirlpool, salt cave with chromotherapy), and comfortable rooms. Outdoor parking is free and garage parking is an extra charge. 

Luxury | Hotel Sun Valley is a 4-star hotel with a feel-good atmosphere, nice rooms, friendly management and staff, and a great restaurant (half board available). The spa comprises an indoor pool, whirlpool, Tyrolean parlor sauna, Brechel bath with fresh pine branches, and a steam bath, and relaxation areas. 

Luxury | Linder Cycling Hotel stands out with its bold architecture, stylish urban accents, and laid-back atmosphere. Beyond the captivating design, Linder Cycling Hotel boasts excellent facilities, including a rooftop terrace, indoor pool, bar, and the à la carte Luis Eatery restaurant

Find an accommodation in Selva di Val Gardena.

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Rules for Visiting Puez-Odle Nature Park

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Wild camping is prohibited in the park. 

Always stay on marked trails and paths. This helps prevent damage to the meadows and alpine pastures.

Do not pick flowers.

Respect the habitat of animals. Do not make any unnecessary noise.

Do not fly drones.

Do not light fires.

Do not litter. Please take your garbage with you and dispose of it responsibly.

Do not touch, or approach grazing animals.

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