Val d'Oten and Cascata delle Pile

Val d’Oten, above Calalzo di Cadore, is a long valley (of fluvioglacial origin) that separates the Antelao massif from the Marmarole range. Through it you reach the Capanna degli Alpini (1395 m a.s.l.), with an easy hike, fairly long but with little elevation gain. It is a walk very exposed to the sun, often surrounded by mountain pines (“baranci”); if there were some clouds, they would be a welcome relief. Along the way, if you turn right onto trail 260, you can climb towards Rifugio Chiggiato on the Marmarole. If you continue past Capanna degli Alpini, along trail 250, you reach Rifugio Galassi in 5.5 hours (for experts) via the Forcella del Ghiacciaio dell’Antelao.

Capanna degli Alpini is in a pleasant area, surrounded by meadows and woods, often a camping destination for boy scouts. Excellent refreshment point. Near the Capanna (about 15 minutes to get there), don’t miss visiting the sparkling Cascata delle Pile (wearing a helmet is recommended), which, with a drop of about 25 meters, is set in a very impressive gorge: an exciting experience.

You reach the start of this hike by driving up from Calalzo (following the signs) to Praciadelan, from where you can continue on foot.