Magical Primiero San Martino di Castrozza
Italy
They tower majestically above soft meadows, dense forests, and tranquil villages: the mesmerising Dolomite peaks of the Pale di San Martino that enfold Primiero San Martino di Castrozza like a protective shell. And your stay in this magical world will be as impressive as the sight of the rugged rocks.
Worthwhile.
Holidays in Primiero San Martino di Castrozza.
“It’s beautiful enough to make one cry.” Those are the words used by “Fräulein Else” in the novel of the same name by Arthur Schnitzler to enthuse over San Martino di Castrozza. And with the imposing peaks of the Pale di San Martino that reach high into the sky and the idyllic villages with their narrow lanes known as “Canisèle”, the beauty of this unique area has enchanted illustrious guests like Arthur Schnitzler, Richard Strauss, Sigmund Freud, Dino Buzzati, or King Leopold of Belgium, and continues to do so today. Well-travelled Alpinist and author Gunther Langes claimed that, if you don’t know San Martino di Castrozza, you don’t know the Dolomites. There’s no wonder, as people simply can’t take their eyes off the striking mountains with their rich names Cimon della Pala, Vezzana, Rosetta, Sass Maor, Val di Roda, Madonna, and Colbricon. And that includes the locals, who give their all to preserve the protected magical world of the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park in all its beauty. For this dedication to environmental protection and the use of clean energy from renewable sources, San Martino di Castrozza was declared a 100% renewable area by Legambiente. Find enchanting moments. Discover Primiero San Martino di Castrozza.
Carefree.
Your journey to Primiero San Martino di Castrozza.
Kilometre by kilometre, the mountains grow higher, the rock faces more impressive, and the landscape more beautiful. Hop aboard and let yourself be whisked away to the magically beautiful world of the Dolomites.
By train
By plane
By shuttle service
Worth knowing.
A holiday without your car in San Martino di Castrozza.
Are you longing to slow down? Then give your car a rest and come to Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, where an extensive mobility concept awaits you.
- You can easily reach your accommodation from the train station or the nearest bus stop. Your hosts will be happy to help you – just get in touch.
- During the winter season, the ski bus takes you directly to the ski slopes. Guests staying with member businesses of ApT can use the service free of charge.
- You can rent the best mountain bikes and e-bikes from several specialist stores. You can charge your e-bike with locally generated electricity for free at the 30 charging stations located at strategic points and along the cycle paths.
- Discover the snow-blanketed landscape and villages of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza during a ride on a “Troika”, the traditional horse-drawn sleigh.
- The Trentino Guest Card lets you use all public transport throughout Trentino and local mobility services – such as summer shuttles to Val Canali and Val Venegia – free of charge and also gives you discounted admission to museums, castles, and other attractions.
- In summer, you can reach the loveliest destinations in Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park on the shuttle bus. Discover the wonder-rich mountain valleys of Val Canali and Val Venegia and the unspoilt Valle del Vanoi.
- Our taxi service takes you to your desired destination. The fleet also boasts an all-electric, eight-seater bus. Your bikes can also be transported.
- The centre of colourful village Fiera di Primiero is closed to traffic. That means you can shop, stroll, and sample local specialities in perfect peace here. Always in sight: the legendarily beautiful Dolomites.
- Buying the Dolomiti Summer Card gives you unlimited rides to the heights on the summer lifts. You’ll also enjoy special discounts for a holiday that you’ll never forget. The card is valid for three or five days.
- You can enjoy an eco-friendly ride to the heart of the Dolomites in both summer and winter: The lifts run on renewable energy from 13 local hydroelectric power plants.
- If you’re travelling by electric or hybrid car, you can park free of charge throughout the local area. Simply ask for the special card.
- There’s an extensive network of charging stations for electric cars that are supplied with clean energy. The Trentino Guest Card lets you charge your electric car at one of the many charging stations for 9 euros. Many accommodation providers and participants in the “Le Dolomiti ti riCARicono” initiative provide additional charging facilities.
Worth booking. Accommodation in Primiero San Martino di Castrozza.
Worth experiencing. Primiero San Martino di Castrozza.
Sprawling Alpine meadows, peaceful, dense forests, and bizarre rock formations that change appearance depending on the light – Primiero San Martino di Castrozza is a magical world full of rare treasures that treat you to wonder-rich moments every day. Embark on a journey of discovery and collect a wealth of unforgettable experiences on your holiday without your car.
The mountains and their clean-cut lines melt into the brilliant sky. Energised by the pure, fresh mountain air that flows into your lungs and the magical view of the mountains, you take step by step into the heart of the hiking paradise of Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park. Wander in the footsteps of marmots that serenade you with their trills, cross dizzying suspension bridges, leave the civilised world behind you and discover the solitary mountain farms of San Giovanni or the ruins of Malga Pradidali, head into unspoilt valleys like Val Canali or Val Venegia, or hike from hut to hut on the enchanting Dolomiti Palaronda Trek. The sunrises and sunsets are sure to leave afterimages in your heart. Other highlights: Walk barefoot on the soft forest floor or conquer one of the via ferratas that let you feel the Dolomites under your fingers. It’s best to be accompanied by one of the experienced mountain guides, who are known as the eagles of Primiero and San Martino di Castrozza.
The world’s most beautiful mountains, over 350 kilometres of varied trails, you and your bike. That’s all you need for a holiday on two wheels that sees all your wishes come true. Primiero San Martino di Castrozza is a bona fide paradise for mountain bikers who want to experience freedom in the saddle with or without assistance. Countless trails and wild ramps span out over the rolling blanket of green Alpine meadows and along the imposing rock walls of the Dolomites, leading to still mountain lakes and through forests of fir, larch, and rhododendrons. Towering above it all is the awe-worthy Pale di San Martino, gargantuan and breathtaking. The mere sight of it is worth all the effort.
Our favourite tours: the cycle path that connects the valley floor with San Martino di Castrozza, the circular tour to Val Venegia and Rolle pass, or the route that leads from San Martino to Lake Calaita in Valle del Vanoi, with Mt Cimon della Pala reflected in its surface. Not sure if your legs can handle it? Then choose an e-bike: A network of more than 30 free charging stations along the cycle paths and at strategic points ensures that you don’t run out of energy. If you’re more of a thrill-seeker, the bike parks are the place for you. Downhill and enduro enthusiasts will find everything their hearts desire in the San Martino Bike Arena and the brand-new Colbricon Bike Park. Pump-track fans can perform their acrobatic jumps and tricks in the dedicated areas.
The soft rays of winter sunshine fall on the perfectly groomed slopes of San Martino di Castrozza – Passo Rolle ski area and bathe the rock formations of the Pale di San Martino in an incredible light. Take a deep breath. Let it go. And glide off down the slopes that weave their way between the mountain peaks and pastures and offer moments of unimaginable magic. Thanks to its fantastic variety of runs of various difficulty levels and three ski schools, the ski area with its 60 kilometres of slopes is ideal for both seasoned skiers and families with children. You can ski with a clear conscience here, as the lifts are run on renewable energy produced by 13 local hydroelectric power plants. You can top up your energy levels at the many huts by the slopes, which pamper you with traditional dishes.
When winter takes hold with a flurry of snowflakes and lays a thick, white blanket over the land, an abundance of winter adventures await you. Strap on your snowshoes and plod your way through the fairy-tale world of ice and snow on Pala plateau. Hop on your toboggan or discover the area on a romantic sleigh ride. Walk through stunning Paneveggio forest, which is known the world over for the resonant wood of its spruces. Stradivarius himself gathered the wood for his precious violins here. Leave the ground behind with a flight instructor and float over the Dolomites on a paraglider. Climb aboard a snowcat after sunset and embark on a Pistenbully tour or head backstage in this ski area that’s renowned for its recycling-oriented and mindful use of resources. Whichever experience you choose, you’re sure to wholeheartedly enjoy your holiday without your car in Italy.
Worth knowing.
Sustainable initiatives.
Preserving the wonderful environment in all its glory for their children and children’s children has always been close to the hearts of the inhabitants of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza. Aware that they live with and from nature, they’ve launched a series of initiatives that are unique in the Alps. Thanks to the two biomass and 13 hydroelectric power plants, the municipality is energy self-sufficient. The energy produced is even 10 times greater than local needs. From the ski lifts to the charging stations for electric cars and e-bikes – the local infrastructure is completely run on locally generated energy. This consideration for the environment can also be seen in the small but meaningful gestures of the residents: San Martino di Castrozza’s youth group has created the Xchange boxes, wooden pillars where people can dispose of rubbish found along the trails. They were placed in the middle of the village and have a glass wall to make the residents and guests of the holiday destination aware of the problem of littering in the mountains.
Traditions and customs.
Worth seeing.
In Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, the residents not only work to preserve nature, but culture, too. Every August, the residents continue the tradition of “Far filò” in Tonadico, the oldest village in the area. Filò was the night vigil in the heated “Stua” (parlours), during which the women would spin linen or hemp and the men would tell each other traditional stories while carving. Today, the old stables and barns are transformed into old-fashioned stores. There and at the stands by the roadside, the residents show you age-old handicrafts and serve you various culinary delicacies. Another event that takes place in August is the “Palio della Sloiza” in the village of Transacqua, a race with the “Sloiza” sledge that the farmers used to use to transport hay, wood, straw, and fertiliser. Another highlight: the “Gran Festa del Desmontegar”, a four-day festival celebrated when the livestock return from their summer pastures. It involves various themed events, including the hotly anticipated “Desmontagada” on Sunday, the procession in which the farming families parade through the village streets wearing traditional costumes and with their festively decorated animals. The bright, colourful parade – the longest throughout the Alps – marks the end of these four days of celebration, which are dedicated to the traditions, farming, and milk products of Primiero.