Camping Catinaccio Rosengarten, Trentino-Alto Adige
The Val di Fassa makes a great base to sample the delights of the Dolomites and this campsite is perfectly situated halfway up the valley.
It is efficiently run and the amenities area is a thing of beauty, with its painted walls and quirky carvings. As well as the immaculate showers and toilets, there is an enormous kitchen and washingup area, a laundry area with drying room and a mini-spa where you can book a wellness session, comprising sauna, steam room, multi-sensory shower and relaxation room. Suitably pampered, you can enjoy a meal, drink or coffee in the on-site café bar, where you can also order fresh bread ready for the following morning.
Buses run up and down the valley and you can register at the site for a free bus pass. At the back of the site there is a 48km cycle path running alongside the tumbling Avisio stream. You can walk along this path to neighbouring villages, such as Moena, or cycle further afield in either
“Treats you to wonderful views of the craggy above” mountains up
direction. The Fassa & Fiemme Bike Express (bus and trailer) will transport you back if you happen to run out of steam.
This cycle path treats you to wonderful views of the craggy mountains up above, but it is easy to get up close by taking a cable car. I took the Campitello cable car (at a cost of €12/£10.97) and tackled the Sassolungo circuit, a wonderful 10-mile hike with views to die for. Paragliders and mountain bikers are also well provided for, or you can test your nerve on one of the famous via ferrata steel cable climbing routes.
Back down in the valley, the little town of Pozza di Fassa has an excellent tourist information centre, a gelateria, a small supermarket, a few bars and restaurants, and a luxury spa for a bit more pampering after your exertions.