# Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio

> About 245 km from Bolzano via the Eggental and the Passo di Lavazè into the Val di Fiemme, through the violin forests of Paneveggio to the Passo Rolle and…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-083-val-di-fiemme-lagorai/

**At a glance:** 6-day road trip of about 115 km (72 mi) with 12 stops, from Bolzano to Moena. About 1 h 36 min of driving in total. About 245 km from Bolzano via the Eggental and the Passo di Lavazè into the Val di Fiemme, through the violin forests of Paneveggio to the Passo Rolle and on to San Martino di Castrozza, then back via Valles and San Pellegrino to Moena and Cavalese – Dolomite passes and Lagorai granite without the crowds.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 115 km (72 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 36 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 12 |
| Route | Bolzano → Moena |
| Countries | Italy |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*About 245 km from Bolzano via the Eggental and the Passo di Lavazè into the Val di Fiemme, through the violin forests of Paneveggio to the Passo Rolle and on to San Martino di Castrozza, then back via Valles and San Pellegrino to Moena and Cavalese – Dolomite passes and Lagorai granite without the crowds.*

## The spirit of the route

The Val di Fiemme smells of spruce resin. For centuries the Paneveggio forest has supplied the resonance wood from which violin makers in Cremona carved their instruments, and even today the spruces stand dead straight and close together on the slope, as if they had to keep still. From there the road climbs to the Passo Rolle, where the view of the Pale di San Martino is suddenly unobstructed – rock needles that glow in the evening light. In autumn the rutting calls of the stags echo through the woods, in winter a thick layer of snow lies over everything and cross-country tracks run through the valley. From your sliding door you see the Latemar group as a jagged silhouette, and at night you count the stars above the Lagorai ridges, which stand dark and granite-grey in the east. It is the Dolomites without coaches and without constant traffic jams: passes, meadows, cowbells, a cappuccino in the village café.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Bolzano to Cavalese (approx. 65 km)

- **The drive:** From Bolzano on the SS241 through the Eggental to Birchabruck (Ponte Nova), then on the SS620 to the Passo di Lavazè (about 1800 m) and down to Cavalese in the Val di Fiemme. Broadly built, winding, partly with tunnels in the Eggental; total time about 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Eggental: a gorge with waterfalls and a Dolomite view of the Latemar and the Rosengarten.
  - Obereggen: a ski area and high pastures on the Latemar (a detour from Deutschnofen), with walking trails in summer.
  - Passo di Lavazè: a high moor and a cross-country stadium on the pass, with a view of the Lagorai range.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Around Cavalese there are aree di sosta for motorhomes, for instance above the town on the Cermis; on the pass itself the choice is limited. In the valley there are several campsites, such as Camping Valle Verde near Predazzo. Check facilities, opening and winter operation beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Trentino and South Tyrol, camping outside sites is forbidden; a motorhome may only park and stay overnight where parking is allowed, without chairs, awning or levelling props. On the pass car parks at Lavazè, overnight stays are generally not provided for.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In winter the pass is passable from November to April with snow and chains, and it can be closed during snowfall – carry winter tyres or chains. Cavalese is the seat of the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, a centuries-old forest community; the Palazzo museum is worth a visit.

### Stage 2: Cavalese to Predazzo (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From Cavalese on the SS48 through the Val di Fiemme via Tesero and Panchià to Predazzo. A broad valley road, a short driving day; about 30 minutes, which leaves time for the day in Tesero and Predazzo.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Tesero: a village with a nativity-scene culture and the cross-country centre, venue of the Nordic events of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  - Predazzo: the Museo Geologico delle Dolomiti, which explains how the mountains formed, and the Trampolino ski jumps.
  - Alpe Cermis: a cable car from Cavalese with a panorama over the whole valley; in winter the famous finishing ramp of the Tour de Ski.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Predazzo there are an area camper and Camping Valle Verde; there are also small campsites in the valley. Electric hook-up, sanitary facilities and service points vary by site; open in summer and winter, with shorter opening in the shoulder seasons.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the village centre and at the sports venues, overnight parking is banned for motorhomes; camping is not allowed, and the aree di sosta are cheaper than a fine.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The weather in the Val di Fiemme changes quickly – views in the morning, thunderstorms in the afternoon. If you are coming for the Marcialonga race (end of January), you need to book months in advance. The walking trails from Predazzo to the Lagorai lakes are quieter than the Dolomites.

### Stage 3: Predazzo to San Martino di Castrozza (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** From Predazzo on the SS50 of the Passo Rolle through the Paneveggio forest, past the visitor centre and up to the Passo Rolle (1980 m), then down to San Martino di Castrozza. A well-built pass road with hairpins, heavily used at weekends in summer. About 1 hour.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Foresta dei Violini near Paneveggio: a spruce forest from whose wood violin makers such as Stradivari obtained tonewood; the visitor centre of the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park.
  - Passo Rolle: a view of the Cimon della Pala, the “Matterhorn of the Dolomites”, and Baita Segantini at the edge of the pass.
  - San Martino di Castrozza: a church, a cable car to the Rosetta plateau and walking trails through the Pale di San Martino.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Near San Martino and in the Primiero there are a few aree di sosta camper and campsites, for instance near Tonadico; clarify location, facilities and opening beforehand. Electric hook-up, service points and season vary by site; full at weekends in summer, restricted in winter.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park, camping outside the sites is forbidden; on the Passo Rolle and at high-pasture car parks the municipalities check. Overnight stays in car parks are tolerated only in exceptions – better to use an area di sosta.
- **Insider tip for campers:** In autumn (mid-September to October) you can hear the roaring of the stags in Paneveggio – an experience, but please keep your distance and do not go into the forest at night with a light. At the visitor centre you can get maps for walks, for instance to the Val Venegia.

### Stage 4: San Martino di Castrozza to Falcade (via Passo Valles) (approx. 55 km)

- **The drive:** From San Martino back over the Passo Rolle to Paneveggio, then on the SS346 over the Passo Valles (2032 m) down to Falcade in Veneto. The route is narrower and more winding than Rolle, with hairpins and short bottlenecks; about 1.5 hours. Closed or chains in winter.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Passo Valles: a high plateau with high pastures and walking trails to the huts of the Pale di San Martino.
  - Falcade: a village in the Biois valley with a cable car to Le Buse and a church with frescoes.
  - The Cime d’Auta and the mountains of the Marmolada group can be seen from here in clear weather.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Falcade and the Biois valley there are campsites and aree di sosta, with varying facilities; stay overnight in car parks only where the signage expressly allows it. Clarify opening beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Veneto the same Italian legal position applies as in Trentino: parking yes, camping no. On the Passo Valles itself overnight stays are not allowed; heed the signage.
- **Insider tip for campers:** On the Passo Valles the road is narrow in places; pass oncoming traffic slowly and preferably drive early in the morning while it is quiet. If you are planning a detour into the Lagorai range: the Passo Manghen (2047 m) between the Val di Fiemme and the Valsugana is narrow and steep and not suitable for large motorhomes.

### Stage 5: Falcade to Moena (approx. 35 km)

- **The drive:** From Falcade on the SS346 over the Passo San Pellegrino (1918 m) down to Moena in the Val di Fassa. A broad pass road with wide hairpins; about 45 minutes. The pass is often snow-covered in winter.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Passo San Pellegrino: a wide high plateau with a view of the Marmolada group and the Pale di San Martino.
  - Moena: a Ladin village with wooden houses and the church of San Vigilio, on the Avisio river.
  - Lusia: a mountain panorama with a cable car, a ski area in winter.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Moena lies the Area Sosta Camper Moena near the village; in the Val di Fassa there are also campsites. Electric hook-up, service points and season vary by site; book in winter and high summer.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Val di Fassa the municipalities are strict; parking yes, camping no. On the Passo San Pellegrino motorhomes often stand by day, but at night you should use the area.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Moena calls itself the “Fata delle Dolomiti” and lies at the start of the Val di Fassa; there are more provisions and petrol stations here than on the passes. The Ladin language and culture are alive – place signs are bilingual.

### Stage 6: Moena to Cavalese (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From Moena on the SS48 back into the Val di Fiemme to Predazzo and Cavalese. A broad valley road, about 30 minutes. From here the route can lead back to Bolzano over the Passo di Lavazè.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Lago di Carezza (Karersee) is nearby if you want to drive the Karer Pass from Moena; a detour of about 20 kilometres.
  - The forests of Fiemme as a place of calm: a walk to the Lago di Forte Buso in the Lagorai or shorter strolls.
  - Cavalese: the market, cafés and the museum of the Magnifica Comunità.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** In Cavalese the Area sosta camper Cermis remains a practical base; alternatively the aree at Predazzo and Lavazè. Check opening and winter operation.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Val di Fiemme the same legal position applies as along the whole route: parking yes, camping no; the municipality checks the walkers’ car parks.
- **Insider tip for campers:** To finish, it is worth shopping in the village shops: cheese from the alpine huts (malga cheese), speck and berries from the forest. If you are travelling on south, go via the Val di Cembra towards Trento.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Italian law (Codice della Strada, Art. 185) distinguishes parking (“sosta”) from camping: a motorhome may stand, and also stay overnight, wherever parking is allowed, as long as it touches the ground only with its wheels – no chairs, table, awning, levelling props or grey water drained.
- In Trentino and Veneto, municipalities and nature parks restrict camping heavily; in the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park a ban applies outside the sites, and during the rutting season individual paths are closed. Administrative fines are possible.
- In winter passes such as Lavazè, Rolle, Valles and San Pellegrino are closed at times; motorhomes in car parks are pushed aside or towed when it snows.
- Useful apps: park4night, Campercontact and CamperOnline (Italian). Aree di sosta are not all open in winter.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Water supply and waste disposal is called “camper service” or “carico e scarico”. In the Val di Fiemme there are stations on aree di sosta and campsites; on the passes they are missing.
- Empty grey water and the cassette only at the station; wild dumping is the main reason for new bans.
- Tap water in the municipalities is mostly drinkable; do not use mountain streams and alpine springs without checking.
- Gas: German exchange cylinders are not exchanged in Italy. Refillable cylinders and gas tanks can be filled at GPL petrol stations with the Italian adapter; often only the staff do the filling. Arrive with two full cylinders.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 110 km/h on expressways, 130 km/h on the motorway; over 3.5 t 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on the motorway. Caravan combinations: 70 km/h outside built-up areas, 80 km/h on the motorway. Dipped headlights are required outside built-up areas even by day.
- Winter: from 15 November to 15 April, winter tyres or snow chains on board are compulsory on pass roads; mountain roads can be closed when it snows. Check the passes beforehand on the provinces’ websites.
- Tolls: the A22 (Brenner motorway) near Bolzano is a toll road; pass roads and valley roads in the Val di Fiemme are free. Some car parks are charged.
- The Passo Manghen and narrow minor roads in the Lagorai are not suitable for long motorhomes; heed height and length signs.
- If a load projects beyond the rear, such as bicycles on a rear carrier, the red-and-white warning board (50 × 50 cm) is compulsory. Blood alcohol limit 0.5, 0.0 for novice and professional drivers; mobile phone at the wheel only with a hands-free kit.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Walking boots and poles for the Val Venegia, the Lagorai lakes and the Pale di San Martino paths; the stones are rough.
- A weatherproof jacket and hat – thunderstorms build up in the afternoon, and a cold wind often blows on the passes.
- Winter tyres or snow chains from mid-November, a snow shovel and gloves for the passes.
- Binoculars for deer and chamois in Paneveggio and the Lagorai, with respect for the rut.
- A warm sleeping bag or an extra blanket: at 1500 to 2000 m the night temperature drops markedly even in summer.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Bolzano** (Italy)
2. **Obereggen** (Italy)
3. **Passo di Lavazè** (Italy)
4. **Cavalese** (Italy)
5. **Tesero** (Italy)
6. **Predazzo** (Italy)
7. **Paneveggio** (Italy)
8. **Passo Rolle** (Italy)
9. **San Martino di Castrozza** (Italy)
10. **Falcade** (Italy)
11. **Passo San Pellegrino** (Italy)
12. **Moena** (Italy)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Practical notes for the road

- **Italy: Motorway tolls.** Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## FAQs

**How long is Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio?**
6-day road trip of about 115 km (72 mi) with 12 stops, from Bolzano to Moena. About 1 h 36 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio?**
We suggest 6 days: about 1 h 36 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio start and end?**
It starts in Bolzano and ends in Moena.

**Which countries does Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio pass through?**
Italy.

**Where can you camp along Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio?**
OpenStreetMap lists 71 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Moosbauer, Camping Steiner and Camping Chalet Salten.

**When is the best time for Violin wood, mountain peaks and rutting calls – by camper over Lavazè, Rolle and Valles through the Val di Fiemme and Paneveggio?**
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)