The Val d'Oten is a long valley that separates the Marmarole chain from the mighty Antelao massif. An extensive, still wild, and sometimes inaccessible area, it is a popular destination for lovers of outdoor excursions in nature. It is also ideal for relaxing walks and pleasant picnics in the assigned areas. You reach this valley from the centre of Calalzo. After going alongside "The Bridge," a typical example of Cadore architecture, follow the road until you reach Praciadelan, at an altitude of 1,050 meters. After a stretch of dirt road, you will reach the bottom of the valley, where, at the edge of the green Pian de Gravina, stands the Hut of the Alpini (1,395 meters). Here you can stop for a good gastronomic experience. The Pile Waterfall is definitely worth the hike; you can it reach in fifteen minutes over a narrow water-carved canyon.
Returning to the main trail, you must face the partially wooded 600 meters of altitude difference, and reach the Pietro Galassi refuge, a converted Great War barracks at an altitude of 2,018 meters. For very experienced hikers, here is where the challenging Antelao climb starts; known also as the King of the Dolomites, it is, at 3,264 meters, the second highest of the peaks declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After another 600 metres upwards, you reach the Pietro Galassi refuge, created from a barracks used in the Great War. From here, you begin the challenging ascent to the Antelao, also called the King of the Dolomites, which, at 3,264 metres, is the second highest peak of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Useful advice: Always wear appropriate clothing and hiking boots