---
title: "Passo Staulanza"
type: "pass"
lang: "en"
elevation_m: 1766
region: "Veneto"
locality: "Val di Zoldo"
valleys: "Val di Zoldo and Val Fiorentina"
url: "https://dolomites-guide.com/dolomites-passes/passo-staulanza/"
description: "Passo Staulanza, at 1,766 m, is explored on foot. A short climb leads to the Pelmetto dinosaur footprints, and the Giro del Pelmo starts at the pass."
---

# Passo Staulanza

Passo Staulanza opens two very different outings around Monte Pelmo: a short climb to a rock covered in dinosaur footprints, and the full circuit of the massif, a long day for experienced hikers.

- Elevation: 1766 m
- Region: Veneto
- Locality: Val di Zoldo
- Valleys: Val di Zoldo and Val Fiorentina

Passo Staulanza (Staulanza Pass), at 1,766 m (5,794 ft), is best explored on foot: a short climb to dinosaur footprints, or the full Pelmo hike for seasoned walkers.

## Where is Passo Staulanza and what can you see from it?
The pass lies on the SP 251, which links it to Selva di Cadore via the head of the Val Fiorentina.

## What can you do from Passo Staulanza?
**See the north face of the Pelmo head-on**: follow the pass road towards Selva di Cadore to the head of the Val Fiorentina, where trail 467, a farm track, climbs to [Rifugio Città di Fiume](/mountain-huts/rifugio-citta-di-fiume/) in 45 minutes. It is the easiest outing around the pass.

![Pelmo above the forest](/images/staulanza-pelmo-pelmetto-from-coi.webp "The Pelmo, above the forest.")

**See the Pelmetto dinosaur footprints**: from the pass, follow the Alta Via 1 to the foot of the Pelmetto, then the marked detour to a large rock bearing about a hundred footprints, dating from the Late Triassic. Allow 1 hour 15 minutes on foot for 250 m (820 ft) of ascent. The outing is not tiring, but the last slope is steep, on loose gravel: wear good boots and hold young children's hands.

![The large rock with dinosaur footprints at the foot of the Pelmetto](/images/staulanza-pelmetto-dinosaur-tracks.webp "The dinosaur footprints rock, at the foot of the Pelmetto.")

**Hike around the Pelmo**: the Giro del Pelmo leaves the pass on the Val d'Arcia trail, climbs a vast scree and glacier slope to the Forcella di Val d'Arcia (2,476 m (8,123 ft)), drops to Rifugio Venezia, then rounds the south side of the Pelmo and the Pelmetto back to the pass. Allow 8 hours and 700 m (2,297 ft) of ascent: the route is **graded EE, for experienced hikers**.

If the full circuit is too long for you, Rifugio Venezia can also be reached directly from the pass in 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, by an unnumbered link path, then trail 472.

**Walk on the Alta Via 1**: the route goes through the pass, where [Rifugio Passo Staulanza](/mountain-huts/rifugio-passo-staulanza/) is a stage stop; our [Alta Via 1 guide](/hiking-dolomites/alta-via-1/) gives the stages before and after. Check that the huts are open before counting on a meal or a bed.