Five places to visit early in the morning, when the peaks change colour and the mountains wake up

Experiencing dawn in the mountains is a simple yet powerful experience: bright lights, fresh air, quiet trails. In the early hours of the day, the Dolomites reveal their authentic side, with vivid colours and open views.

Staying at the Hotel Cristallo in Canazei, you have access to strategic points from which to enjoy this moment in complete tranquillity. Some can be reached in a few minutes, others require a slightly more careful departure, but all offer a view that is worth waking up early for.

Here is a selection of 5 ideal places to see the sunrise in Val di Fassa, with useful information to help you organise your outing.

Col Rodella: 360° panoramic view over Campitello

If you are looking for a spot with a wide and varied view, Col Rodella is an excellent choice. From here, the panorama encompasses Sassolungo in front, the Sella Group on the left and Catinaccio behind, offering a unique view of the Dolomites.

Access is easy: you can take the cable car from Campitello or reach Col Rodella on foot from Passo Sella, with a hike of about an hour.

For those who want to experience the actual sunrise, it is important to note that the cable car opens at around 8 a.m., so you will need to reach the sunrise spot on foot before it opens. This way, you can watch the light gradually illuminate the mountains, starting with Sassolungo, passing over the Sella ridges, and finally lighting up the valley towards Moena.

The best place to enjoy the show is just outside the cable car station, where a large meadow invites you to sit and wait for the sun to rise.

Col dei Rossi: the accessible viewpoint to admire the first rays of light

If you want to see the sunrise without having to take a long walk or wake up in the middle of the night, head to Col dei Rossi, above Canazei. You can reach the summit directly by taking the Canazei – Pecol cable car – Col dei Rossi cable car, which opens around 8:30 a.m. in summer. This time is after sunrise, so when you arrive by cable car, the light is already low and the peaks are only partially illuminated.

For those who want to experience the full sunrise, however, it is necessary to reach Col dei Rossi on foot before the cable car opens, starting from Canazei or Pecol in the early hours of the morning. This way, you can witness the true sunrise and the transformations of light on the mountains.

At 2,382 metres, whether by cable car or on foot, you are faced with an open panorama, with a direct view of the Marmolada, the Sella Group and the Sassolungo. The first rays of light illuminate the ice above, and shortly afterwards descend along the dark walls, creating sharp contrasts.

You can choose to stop near the arrival station, where the silence is still complete, or walk for a few minutes to the Belvedere Refuge, where you can often have breakfast in the middle of the morning.

Viel del Pan: walking at dawn along the ridge with views of Marmolada and Lake Fedaia

If you want to watch the sun rise before the lifts open, you can start from Passo Pordoi and take the Viel dal Pan trail, one of the most scenic in the entire Val di Fassa. You walk along a gentle ridge, always with a view of Marmolada and Lake Fedaia, which slowly appear as the sky clears.

The light arrives early, first hitting the glacier and then the outline of the surrounding peaks. There is no need to climb or tackle challenging gradients: the trail is long but relatively flat. In just over an hour, you can reach one of the many natural viewpoints, such as the high section above the Viel dal Pan mountain hut.

We recommend setting off with a head torch, especially if you want to be there when the sun rises above the horizon. From then on, every step offers a new view.

Ciampac: panoramic viewpoint above Alba di Canazei

For a different, more intimate and peaceful experience, head to Ciampac, above Alba di Canazei. The cable car takes you up to an altitude of 2,150 metres in just a few minutes, but it only opens at 8:30 a.m. in summer, so even here it is not quite dawn, but a time when the sun is still low, the shadows are long and the landscape retains its cool, contrasting colours.

The Ciampac glacial cirque is wide and peaceful, perfect for stopping and observing the peaks of Sassolungo and the Sella Group as they are gradually illuminated. Here, the light arrives late because the sun has to pass over the ridges, but the effect is striking, with rays suddenly appearing and illuminating meadows, scree slopes and rock faces.

There are several clearings where you can sit and wait in silence. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the contrasts between the vegetation and the rocks, and on some mornings you can even see local wildlife, such as marmots. Mid-morning, you can stop for breakfast at one of the mountain huts in the area.

Passo Fedaia: sunrise over Lake Fedaia with a direct view of the Marmolada

If you are looking for a spot that is accessible by car or bus and want to see the sunrise reflected on a mirror of water, Passo Fedaia, at the foot of Marmolada, is a great choice. It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Canazei, and even before 6 a.m. on clear days, the sun begins to rise behind the Padon Group, shining directly on the glacier.

When the wind is calm, the Marmolada is reflected in Lake Fedaia, creating perfect images that change minute by minute. You can walk along the dam or climb slightly up the paths in the area to find a higher vantage point. Here too, the silence is almost total until late morning.

As it can be reached without lifts, it is perfect if you want to set off at dawn and experience the mountains independently. Temperatures are low even in summer, so it is best to dress in layers. After dawn, you can continue on to the Padon or Castiglioni refuges for breakfast and continue your day at high altitude.

Practical tips for organising your sunrise in Val di Fassa

In August, sunrise is between 5:25 and 5:45 a.m.: keep this time in mind to accurately calculate the times and distances of the route. Even in the height of summer, temperatures at high altitudes remain cool. It is useful to bring a light jacket and, if you want to sit outside, a blanket. If you plan to arrive before the mountain huts open, prepare a packed breakfast and bring enough water with you.

If you are staying at the Hotel Cristallo in Canazei, you can easily organise your morning outings thanks to the hotel's central location and services dedicated to mountain lovers. Before setting off, check the latest weather forecast on visitvaldifassa.it or check the conditions in real time via the webcams available, so as to avoid surprises such as low clouds or sudden storms.