The hike up to Rifugio Velo della Madonna is a beautiful and rewarding route, with a significant elevation gain that remains accessible to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The trail offers wonderful views of the Lagorai Group and crosses a variety of natural environments.
The starting point is on one of the hairpin bends along the road from Fiera di Primiero to San Martino di Castrozza. From here, you take the road leading up towards Malga Zivertaghe and then to the parking area. Please note: the road is quite narrow, and the final 600 metres are on a gravel surface.
From the parking area, a clear sign marks the beginning of trail 713 to the refuge. After an initial section through the woods, the path emerges into a grassy clearing, where it meets the forest road coming up from San Martino. Follow this road for a few dozen metres, passing the service cableway station of the refuge, before immediately rejoining the well-marked trail.
From here, the climb becomes steeper. The path winds up through the forest, ascending the lower part of Valle della Vecchia, before opening out into a wide valley of scree and rocky debris. At this point, the refuge appears for the first time, perched high above on a rocky spur: the destination is clearly visible, but there is still a long way to go.
The route continues up the valley towards the right, then climbs a gravelly slope through a series of hairpin bends until it meets the higher trail coming from San Martino di Castrozza. From here, the ascent continues to the base of the final rock wall. On the right-hand side, a series of fixed ropes helps with a rocky section on smooth ground — care is needed, especially when the terrain is wet.
After this passage, the trail enters the wide upper valley. A few more hairpin bends lead through the final elevation gain, until you reach the magnificent grassy plateau where Rifugio Velo della Madonna stands in a spectacular setting.
Hike completed by Federico and Beatrice on 22 June 2025.