Rifugio Pizzini Loop Hike

By Vicky · Published Sep. 12th, 2025

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This loop hike from Rifugio Forni around a valley to Rifugio Pizzini and back past a glacier viewpoint is fairly easy yet very beautiful.

Rifugio Pizzini Hiking Map

Location

This hike starts from a car park at the end of Via Forni Valley Road. It costs €10 to drive along this road from Santa Caterina di Valfurva in the main valley below. There’s no barrier on the road; you just have to stop at the pay station at the end of the dirt car park to pay the fee. There is then no additional charge for the car park.

Tips

Stelvio National Park is called Nationalpark Stilfserjoch in German, and often you’ll see this on the signs as the region is partly German-speaking.
Walking down the track near the end, it’s very steep, so hiking poles* are recommended.
This hike passes three huts – the Rifugio Forni by the car park, the Rifugio Pizzini at the far point, and the Rifugio Branca on the way back.
For other nearby hikes, check out the hike from Foscagno Pass or the easy walk up Val Zebrù. Or for more walks and hikes, check out our Italy Hiking Page.
For more walks and hikes, check out our Italy Hiking Page.

Rifugio Pizzini Hiking Route

From the car park, head up the gravel path, passing the toilets and a couple of picnic tables. From the car park above, head up the small path, across the track and up to the hiking maps under the shelter. Continue up the small path to the left and you’ll be back on the track. Turn right.

Follow this track up to the second bend. There are several hiking signs here, and both ways lead to Rifugio Pizzini. The much nicer route is to take the path on the left. Watch out for this, as it can be easy to miss!

Ruins from the world war in the Ortler Alps

Hiking towards Rifugio Pizzini with Konigspitze in the background

This small path bends right and heads up the hillside. You pass a couple of huts, then reach the open mountainside above. The path leads upwards and around the corner into Val Cedec, a scenic valley. At the top of the steeper section, you’ll reach Le Casermette dei Forni. This is a historical landmark with sections of stone defences still remaining from the war.

The path leads onwards, now much flatter. You can already see Rifugio Pizzini in the distance, with Königspitze, or Gran Zebrù, towering above. This is the second-highest peak in the Ortler Alps and has a rather striking pyramidal shape.

Rifugio Pizzini

You’ll get closer and closer to the high mountains, and soon reach Rifugio Pizzini itself. This hut is often used as a base camp to climb Königspitze – the top is only 4km away with 1000 metres climb! It’s also a useful overnight stop on several longer-distance trails in the Ortler Alps. This means you may well find hardcore-looking hikers here.

When you’re ready, leave the hut and head a few metres up the gravel track before taking the first small path down to the right. This path winds downwards and crosses the stream. It then parallels the stream for a while. Keep left, on the highest trail, with great views over the valley below.

There’s some uphill before the path bends left and passes two small ponds. From here you can see some very high mountains and glaciers in the distance. Keep hiking along the path, which soon leads around a rocky outcrop before the final descent to Rifugio Branca.

This hut is a base for trips to the glaciers nearby, and you can see the ice and snow very nicely from here. You can also feel the coldness in the air! After enjoying the view, turn right down the track. This is very steep in places; it’s actually the most difficult part! Hiking poles* are very useful.