The route up to Passo Mulaz is the quietest hike on the list of my favorite day hikes in the Italian Dolomites.
You don’t see many pictures of it online and it’s not yet, what you would call today – instafamous, but with the recent popularity surge, I won’t be surprised if, in the next few years, this hike becomes a lot busier.
It’s a tough hike that requires a lot of elevation change, but what you’ll get in return are exceptional views of the spires of Passo Farangole in the Pale di San Martino group.
Even though trails are always very well marked in the Dolomites, there are very few occasions when a map comes in handy. It is always better to come prepared. For this hike, you will need the Tabacco map nr 22.
Passo Del Mulaz – A Day Hike In The Italian Dolomites
- Distance: 14.8 km / 8.7 mi
- Walking Time: 6-7 h
- Hike difficulty: challenging
- Elevation gain: 900 m / 2950 ft
- When to go: July – October
- Map Required: Tabacco 022 (Pale di San Martino)
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If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
Getting to the Trailhead
The route starts at Passo Rolle. It is a popular spot in winter for skiers and a busy roadside spot in the summer en route to the nearest town – San Martino Di Castrozza. If coming by car you can park it at Malga Juribello parking lot.
Hike To Passo Del Mulaz – Trail Description
The first small stage of this long hike begins with the well-trodden path to the scenic Baita G Segantini, one of the iconic photography spots in the Dolomites.
It’s more of a road than a hiking path to be honest (see photo above) but you won’t care much, the views are so phenomenal you could be walking on a bed of nails and it wouldn’t bother you.
The route then drops into the Campignol Della Vezzana valley annoyingly losing all 200m of elevation you’ve just gained.
Luckily it’s a well-maintained windy trail. You’ll also notice that there are considerably far fewer people after you leave Baita G Segantini.
The views of the tiny Travignolo Glacier on your right become better as you wind northwestward along the road into the valley. After around 30/45 minutes from Baita G. Segantini the real grind begins.
Turning right onto path nr 710 passing underneath large cliffs the route quickly steepens and several switchbacks take you into the heart of the Pale di San Martino. It’s an uphill struggle for over an hour before the trail somewhat plateaus.
Unfortunately, the plateau doesn’t last long and the trail continues uphill again until the last push to the Mulaz pass, the objective of this hike. This is the first stage of the much longer Giro del Pale di San Martino, which if you have a few days to spend, I really recommend.
If you’re really keen on hiking, don’t fancy staying anywhere overnight, and still have loads of energy left, you can continue uphill to the summit of Monte Mulaz. It adds an extra 2 hours to your day and another 300 meters of elevation.
The views from the past however are more than any human being will ever need. The cute little monolith on Passo Farangole in the distance is a personal favorite of mine.
If you’re like me and love exploring the mountain refuges, the closest one Rifugio Volpi Al Mulaz, one of my favourite dolomiti huts, is only 15 minutes downhill from the pass.
It’s a great place for an overnight stay and serves flaming Creme brûlées for desert. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes when the waiter brought them out. Such a luxury in such a remote mountain hut.
If you are not staying overnight then the route down is the same as the one up. It’s a knee buster on a combination of hard rock and loose scree and if you struggle going downhill like a lot of avid hikers do, then it can be tough.
Make sure you allocate plenty of time for the descent, take plenty of water because there’s no shade and try your best to avoid creating small rock avalanches as there may be hikers below you.
There is a possibility of turning this day hike into a multiday traverse of the Pale di San Martino group. I highly recommend it if you’ve got more time and would like to experience the great mountain hut culture in the Dolomites!
If you have any questions about this hike, post them in the comments below! I always answer!
For more inspiration visit my Italian Dolomites guide, where you will find articles about photography locations, via ferratas and hikes.
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Hi!
I am looking for a nice 2 day hike around this area and we were planning to stay overnight in Mulaz hut! The hike to get there (as you describe in this post) sounds amazing!
For now we are looking for a hike to get back, would it be possible to take another route back? Or do we have to walk the same path? Would you maybe have some recommendations?
Anyway, very nice blog and amazing pictures!!! 🙂
Cheers, Bente
Hi Bente. Thanks for visiting. Yes you can do the Pale Di San Martino Traverse (or at least a part of it). from Rifugio Mulaz you can hike to Rifugio Rosetta then on the same day from rosetta hike to the top of the Col Verde gondola and take it down to San Martino Di Castrozza. I hope that helps!
Hi Marta
Thank you for the great description or the hike to the rifugio mulaz. Would like to ask two questions:
Does it take 6-7 hours up and down (in and out) or just one way?
Are there any technical difficult spots or is it just “difficult’ in terms of strenuous
Thank you very much
Matthias
Hi Matthias. No worries. It would be up and down, but not including breaks so you definitely have to plan a whole day. You can also walk it from Val Venegia. I recommend that you check out my post about it. It might be a slightly easier alternative. Same amount of time. If you follow it the same way in and out from Passo Rolle, then there are no difficult spots. If you decide to follow it from Val Venegia and in a circuit around Monte Mulaz then there is a chain-protected section that is around 100 meters long. I hope that helps!
Hi Marta,
I want to thank you for such a well written and informative blog, not to mention the wonderful photos. I fell in love with the Dolomites, like you, about 4 years ago, and now exploring them as much as I can. Your blog is inspiring with lots of practical help.
Many thanks, and wish you all the very best with your adventures, and writing.
Jim
Hi Jim! Thanks so much for your lovely feedback! I am glad to hear they are people who are just as much in love with the Dolomites as I am! 🙂 Keep it going!