Panzer Trail

Panzer Trail starting point is located just below Rifugio Tognola, for 15 minutes you will follow a ridge just in front of Pale di San Martino until arriving at UNESCO Dolomites Terrace, beautiful panoramic observation point. Going forward you will see statues representing Alpe Tognola fauna.

Proceeding, you will reach the forestry road that will take you upward, closing the loop road at Rifugio Tognola, through a natural environment and spectacular panorama.

Alternatively, the forestry road can be walked downhill to return to San Martino di Castrozza or Tognola Cable car station.

This trail is not suitable for Mountain Bikes and families with strollers.
We recommend you bring water along the way.
We do not recommend this trail in the event of bad weather.
In the event of recent rain, mind that you may find mud and puddles along the way, be sure to wear appropriate trekking shoes.
This trail enters in Special Reserve areas and Integral Reserve of Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park, it is strictly prohibited lighting fires, mushroom picking or other species and camping, walking dogs.

The ruins currently visible near UNESCO Dolomites Terrace, few steps from the arrival of Tognola cable car, belong to the historic Rifugio Tognola and to the arrival station of the old sledge lift, built in 1937 by Mr. Herman Panzer, hotelier in San Martino di Castrozza.
The sledge lift started about 200 meters north of the current valley station of Tognola cable car up until here, near the Rifugio, at the base of this artificial terracing. Shortly after the outbreak of the War, the service was suspended to be reactivated by the Germans in September 1943 with the intention of offering leisure to their troops. The soldiers, however, took advantage of it to harm themselves, just enough to avoid battlefront.
At the end of the War, the plant and Rifugio were abandoned; they were replaced in 1959, with a new cable car and a new Rifugio, built by entrepreneur Walter Ghezzi.

Click here to watch the historical video of the Istituto Luce

Panzer Trail therefore takes its name from a very important family of San Martino history: Panzer family, of German origin, who in the early post-war years bought and expanded the Hotel Dolomiti and later built the first San Martino ski lift, the famous “Slittovia del Panzer”. The Panzer sledge lift was the first ski lift in San Martino and one of the first of the entire Alps, thus guaranteeing San Martino a future for tourism as much as a winter resort.

Click here to download the Trail map

Click here to download the GPS trace of Panzer Trail– trekking

Click here to download the GPS trace of Panzer loop trail.

The trail starts from Rifugio Tognola where you will be able to taste local traditional dishes with high quality and zero-miles ingredients. Stop by “Malghetta Tognola” for sandwiches and light lunches.

Alpe Tognola Booking and Infopoint Office is dedicated to bookings and information and is located in the station above Tognola Cable car, in front of the Ticket office.
Chiara Scalet, office manager will recommend you the activities and events to which participate to and will be an essential logistic support while organizing your vacation in San Martino di Castrozza.

The service is active every day from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

• Phone: + 39 0439 68026
• Mobile: +39 349 0038400
• Email: infopoint@tognola.it