The via ferrata Setus takes us from Passo Gardena to the Pisciadù lake, the Boè hut and to the Passo Pordoi
Image gallery: Alpine tour through the Sella Group
The 3,152-m high Sella Group in the heart of the Dolomites is also known for being "the mountain of the Ladins". From Passo Gardena at 2,121 m a.s.l. we take path no. 666 towards southeast where the Val Setus, an avalanche chute, ascends between the rock walls of the Sella Group. The upper part of the route through the Val Setus is a secured but very steep and difficult via ferrata leading to the managed Pisciadù hut at 2,587 m a.s.l. We pass Lake Pisciadù and ascend along path no. 666 southwards through the Val Tita.
The iron footholds help us to tackle the rocks before the flat mountain ridge at 2,960 m a.s.l. A hilly section takes us to the Antersass and after 4 hours of walking we arrive at the managed Boè hut at 2,873 m a.s.l., one of the highest mountain huts in the Dolomites.
The rocks of the Sella Group below the Piz Boè enclose the Val Lasties like a ring. Path no. 627 leading to the Pordoi Pass (Maria hut) and to the Sasso Pordoi runs across this area. On the Sass Pordoi at 2,950 m a.s.l. lies the mountain station of the cable car taking us back to the Passo Pordoi at 2,240 m a.s.l. We return to the Passo Gardena, our starting point, by bus.
Note: this tour across the landscapes of the Sella Group at almost 3,000 m a.s.l. can be made only by experienced and sure-footed hikers. Undertake this hike only in case of good weather and check the timetables of the bus from Passo Pordoi to the Val Gardena beforehand.
Author: AT
Date of the hike: 11 August 2015
Last updated in: 2026
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- Starting point:
- Passo Gardena
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- Overall time:
- 04:45 h
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- Total route length:
- 12,1 km
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- Altitude:
- from 2.136 m to 2.981 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +1223 m | -386 m
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- Route:
- Passo Gardena - Setus Via Ferrata - Pisciadù mountain hut - Lake Pisciadù - Val Tita - Antersass - Boè mountain hut - Pordoi wind gap - Mt Sass Pordoi - Passo Pordoi
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- Signposts:
- 666, Alta Via of the Dolomites AV2, 627
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- Destination:
- Sass Pordoi
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- Resting points:
- Rifugio Pisciadù mountain hut, Rifugio Boè mountain hut, Rifugio Forcella Pordoi mountain hut, Rifugio Maria mountain hut
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Alpine tour through the Sella Group
We highly recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this tour.
