Rifugio Su'n Paradis

The Su'n Paradis refuge is a restaurant on the ski slopes in the Civetta ski area. It earned its name thanks to the beauty of the surrounding landscape: Su'n Paradis (pronounced as it is written in italian, not as if it were English) means "up in paradise" in the Zoldano dialect. From here, the mass of Civetta is truly impressive; it seems as if you could touch it! You can admire all its towers and passes, make out the normal route, and on summer nights you can see the light of the Torrani refuge shining a few metres below the summit.

This snowshoe hike, as I will describe below, is my favourite route for night-time snowshoe hikes with dinner in a mountain hut, which I organise together with the hut managers. It is not the only trail leading to the hut, but for me it is the most beautiful. It is also the one that allows you to avoid the ski slopes as much as possible.

This snowshoe hike is neither long nor difficult, making it suitable for beginners. It is a little steep in the final stretch, but it is almost always well-trodden and there is no risk of avalanches. Perfect for a quiet day out and lunch on the beautiful terrace of the mountain hut!

Length: 8 km

Elevation gain: 500 m

Difficulty: easy

Estimated time: 4/5 hours

Minimum altitude: Pecol, 1400 m

Maximum altitude: Su'n Paradis mountain hut, 1862 m

Support points: Casot mountain hut, Su'n Paradis mountain hut, Bepi mountain hut

Itinerary

We start from Pecol, in Val di Zoldo, from the large car park at the ski slopes. If you come here on a weekend when the weather is good, you may find the car park already full at 8.30 a.m.! The car park is currently (2026) free of charge, and if the lifts are open, you will find public toilets and a bar.

To avoid walking along the first section of the slope, you need to return to the centre of the village where you arrived: from the car park, walk down the hill to the bridge, then turn left, passing by the La Stube restaurant, walk past the church of Pecol and turn left to cross another bridge. After a short climb, you will find yourself at another car park right in front of the ski slope. You could also park here, but it is often full because it is used by those who work on the ski slopes. Now you have to cross the slope: be very careful, always give way to skiers, and cross quickly. Cross between the house in the middle of the slope and the chairlift until you reach the woods.Walk up the slope for about twenty metres, then you will find a forest road that continues through the trees, with signs for the Civetta al Casot mountain hut. Continue along this beautiful road through the woods until you reach a fork. Here you can choose the route you prefer, both will take you to Casot: the one on the left is shorter and steeper, the one on the right is longer and gentler. I usually go up the long one and down the short one, so I go right (path 587). Continue climbing gently through the woods, with occasional views of Civetta in front of us and Pelmo behind us. At the aqueduct house, lean out to look at the right-hand side of the road: you will see a beautiful waterfall cascading into a pool.

You will arrive at Casot about an hour after setting off, just in time for a coffee break! Continue along the edge of the piste. Just below the chairlift there is a large area that has not been cleared, where you can walk safely. Follow the gentler section of the slope until you reach the base of the steeper part, where the slope divides into Grava right Grava left. Here, on your right, you will find a small path that leaves the slope and enters the woods (path 586). Be careful on this section: although it is forbidden, many skiers use this path as an off-piste route. While this means we have to pay close attention to those coming down, it also works in our favour because it means the path is always clearly marked, with no risk of getting lost in the woods! The first section of the trail is still gentle, then the last steep climb begins. Don't give up, you're almost there, it's time to use your heel lifts! After about 10 minutes of steep climbing, you will reach a point where the trail continues straight ahead, while the skiers' tracks come from the left.Ignore the path (which continues to Forcella Grava) and follow the tracks. You will soon reach a clearing with a magnificent view of Civetta and a small shepherd's shelter leaning against a boulder.

Follow the tracks until you return to the ski slope. For the last part of the climb, follow the snowmobile tracks, which will take you directly to the terrace of the Su'n Paradis mountain hut via a wide bend. It's time for a delicious lunch!

For the descent, go behind the refuge; just below the chairlift there is a path that goes downhill. Warning: if there are tracks left by skiers continuing under the chairlift, DO NOT follow them, or you will find yourself at the top of a high rock jump (yes, skiers jump it!). This section is not easy to spot unless someone has already passed through. If you are unsure, turn back and descend for a short distance along the edge of the piste. I also advise against it when there is a lot of fresh snow. A couple of steep hairpin bends quickly take us downhill until we reach a forest road used by snowmobiles, which leads to Pian del Crep via a pleasant flat stretch. Before reaching the Da Bepi restaurant, take the path that descends into the woods. You need to stay between the Casot and Lendina tracks. Here too, it is not easy to find the path, especially if it is not well trodden, so I recommend having the GPX track. In summer, it is used as a downhill cycle path and is marked with plastic tape tied to the trees. This is a very beautiful stretch, which takes us back to Casot with tight hairpin bends in the woods. From here, we can choose to take the path we did not take on the way there, until we return to the village.

Can I do it in other seasons?

This trail can be enjoyed in any season. When the slopes are closed, there is no longer the problem of skiers, but as a result, the mountain huts will also be closed.

In summer, the mountain huts are generally open from mid-June to mid-September (when the cable car is open). It is also possible to ascend and descend comfortably via the ski slope. In spring, this trail is generally safe to walk. The slope in front of the Su'n Paradis mountain hut is covered with snowdrops in May!

It is also an excellent choice in autumn: the trail between Pecol and Casot is one of the most beautiful places in the Dolomites to admire the foliage. The golden colours of the larch trees will take your breath away.

Variants

In winter there are a few alternative possibilities.

If the downhill path through the woods is too snowy or difficult to find, you can continue to the Bepi refreshment point and head to the start of the ski lift for the small slope. Just behind the start of the lift, there is a forest road that descends (rarely used). However, this road forces you to cross the Lendina slope, so I do not recommend it unless the slope is closed.

A completely different path, which can be used both uphill and downhill, is as follows: from the car park of the ski lifts, turn left, i.e. in the opposite direction to the previous description. At the end of the car park, you will find a dirt road. Follow it for a few hundred metres, then turn right at the fork (signs for Cristelin hut). The road climbs with many hairpin bends to the Cristelin hut and from there to Pian del Crep. From here, you can continue to Paradis on the path described above for the descent.

This route can also be travelled in the opposite direction.

Other ways to reach the refuge are from the La Palma restaurant or from the village of Chiesa. However, as these starting points are too far from Pecol, I will not describe them in this guide.

Map and route

If you want a paper map, I recommend Tabacco map 025, Dolomiti di Zoldo. However, I suggest a good mobile app with GPX tracking.

Paradis.gpx

Download GPX • 76KB

With the guide

Why take this guided tour if you already have all the information? First of all, if you are not familiar with snowy environments, if you do not know how to assess avalanche risk, if you do not know the area and if you have never worn snowshoes, I do not recommend venturing out into the snow alone. The mountains in winter are dangerous and a mistake can be fatal. During the winter season, there are many mountain rescues, knowledge of the environment and respect for one's limits are increasingly neglected, so even thinking 'I'll follow the others' does not keep you safe. A guide, on the other hand, is an expert on the area and will guide you safely on this or other routes according to the conditions at the time and your level of preparation. If they consider this route dangerous, they will suggest an alternative one, so you don't waste your day!

In addition, the guide will accompany you beyond simply admiring the landscape: they will show you, teach you and explain what surrounds us. What mountain is that? What animals live in the forest? Why are the Dolomites special? The guide will answer your questions and help you discover the history and unique features of the place. This way, your day in the Dolomites will not just be a walk in the snow but a real experience that you will remember forever.

The guide will help you choose the right equipment and can hire you snowshoes and poles, as well as advise you on where to hire hiking boots and clothing. For certain locations, I offer a transport service from your hotel. This means you don't have to worry about driving, the route or equipment, and you can enjoy the day without any worries!

To book this or other excursions with me, visit the TAILOR-MADE EXCURSIONS page.

Disclaimer

This post was written based on my personal experience in the mountains.

You can use the information provided and the GPX track at your own risk; I accept no responsibility. Remember that the mountains are unforgiving.

Before setting off on your own, study the route carefully, check the weather and snow conditions, and make sure you have the appropriate equipment and clothing. If you are not an expert, do not go alone, but contact a guide.