Passo Falzarego (Falzarego Pass), at 2,109 m6,919 ft, is the pass on the Great Dolomites Road between Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Agordino and Val Badia. People come for the Lagazuoi and for the traces of the Great War.
Where is Passo Falzarego and what can you see?
At the pass, the rock towers of the Piccolo Lagazuoi rise more than 600 m1,969 ft above you; the Col Gallina stands on the other side and the Sas de Stria faces you. The pass is in the province of Belluno.
The view only really opens up from the top of the Piccolo Lagazuoi (2,778 m9,114 ft): the Fanes group, the Tofane, the Conturines, Antelao, Civetta, the Marmolada, Sorapis and Pelmo. If you do only one thing at the pass, go up on a clear day.
How do you get to Passo Falzarego?
By bus from Cortina, Dolomiti Bus line 52 (Cortina - Passo Falzarego) ran every day from 8 June to 9 September 2026.
- The bus leaves Cortina (Scuole stop) and climbs via Pocol.
- It stops on request at Cinque Torri, the start of the Cinque Torri hike.
- These dates are for 2026: check the 2027 ones before counting on the line.
- Timetables: Dolomiti Bus summer lines (in Italian).
From Alta Badia, line 465 links Corvara, San Cassiano and Passo Falzarego.
By car, you arrive on the SS 48, the Great Dolomites Road. The car park at the Lagazuoi cable car, right at the pass, stayed free all summer 2026. On 4 July 2027, the day of the Maratona dles Dolomites, check traffic conditions with the organiser before driving up.
What can you do from Passo Falzarego?
The Lagazuoi cable car takes you up to 2,732 m8,963 ft in 3 minutes, just below the summit. In 2026 it ran from 6 June to 18 October. Timetables: Lagazuoi cable car. For the walk once you are up there, see our Lagazuoi page.
On foot to Passo Valparola, trail 424 runs past Lake Valparola: 2 km1.2 mi, about 20 minutes. Short enough to do while you wait for the bus; Passo Valparola has its own page.
What is left of the Great War?
Between 1915 and 1917 the front ran through Falzarego. The Austrians held positions high on the Lagazuoi, while the Italians dug tunnels into the rock.
Those positions and tunnels now form the Museo all’aperto della Grande Guerra, an open-air museum starting at the pass. On the Valparola trail, Forte Tre Sassi has become a museum.
When should you go to Passo Falzarego?
Come during the Lagazuoi cable car season; without a car, during the shorter season of line 52.
Nearby huts
Rifugio Lagazuoi
Perched on the summit of Lagazuoi at nearly 2,800 m9,186 ft, this refuge rewards visitors with one of the most celebrated panoramic sunsets in the Dolomites and access to restored World War I tunnels.
Rifugio Col Gallina
A welcoming mountain refuge perched just above the Falzarego Pass, offering panoramic views toward Lagazuoi and easy access to World War I tunnel routes.
Rifugio Scotoni
A small and scenic refuge on the slopes below Lagazuoi, offering panoramic views of the Fanes group and a quiet alternative to the busier huts of Alta Badia.
Rifugio Averau
Perched on the saddle between the Ampezzo and Agordino valleys, this refuge is world-renowned for its gourmet high-altitude cuisine and panoramic terrace views.
Nearby hikes
Lagazuoi - Loop from Armentarola & Great War Tunnel
The walking loop from Armentarola via the Forcella Lagazuoi, the lake and Rifugio Scotoni, or the Passo Falzarego cable car and the descent through the Great War tunnel.
Cinque Torri Loop & WWI Open Air Museum
Explore one of the most famous rock formations in the Dolomites. This guide covers the WWI trenches, the loop around the five towers, and the climb to the historic Rifugio Nuvolau.
Alta Via 1
The definitive multi-day journey across the heart of the Dolomites. Spanning 118 km73.3 mi of rugged limestone terrain, this classic trek takes you from the emerald waters of Lago di Braies to the historic streets of Belluno, staying in world-class mountain huts along the way.
Nearby hiking bases
Cortina d'Ampezzo Hiking Guide
A practical guide to hiking from Cortina d'Ampezzo, the main base town in the eastern Dolomites. Covers the best trails, accessible rifugi, transport from Venice, and the right months to visit.
Updated 20 October 2026
Arabba Hiking Guide
A guide to hiking from Arabba, in the Fodom valley: the Campolongo and Pordoi passes from the village, lifts, the Viel del Pan, summer buses without a car, where to stay and when to go.
Updated 20 October 2026
Tours via this pass
Dolomites Self-Guided Hiking around Cortina
A 7-day hotel-based hiking holiday around Cortina d'Ampezzo. Five day walks to Cinque Torri, the Tofane massif, Lake Sorapis and the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit.
Grande Traverse of the Dolomites - Bolzano to Cortina
A 10-day self-guided traverse from Bolzano to Cortina crossing the Rosengarten, Alpe di Siusi, Puez-Odle plateau, Lagazuoi and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo - all with refuge half-board throughout.
Guided Alta Via 1
Seven days on the classic Alta Via 1 from Falzarego Pass to Passo Duran. Cinque Torri, Croda da Lago, Mont Pelmo, and the Civetta massif with an EU-certified guide and full board throughout.
Guided Dolomites - Women Only
A seven-day women-only guided hiking week around Cortina d'Ampezzo, led by a female EU-certified guide. Cinque Torri, Tre Cime, Lake Sorapis, and the Tofane massif - hotel-based with all transfers.
