Our original itinerary had us hiking to Sassopiatto-Sassolungo after the Rosengarten and although we took a different route to get there (darn snow!), we still spent a few days circumnavigating these mountains. Sassopiatto-Sassolungo, literally “flat stone” and “long stone”, sit at the head of Val di Fassa and Val Gardena. With easy access from multiple points, a number of rifugios, beautiful scenery, and easy going trails, this area is very popular with day hikers and overnighters alike. And rightfully so - our two days here were well spent!

After a retreat from the Rosengarten we took a chairlift to Pera, a bus to Campitello, and a cable car to Forcella Rodella (2316m). When we emerged from the cable car station we were treated to some beautiful views, including the Rosengarten, Alpe di Siusi, Marmolada, the Sella Group, the Odles, and the valleys below. We got even better 360 views when later we climbed the small peak to Rifugio Col Rodella (2485m).

On our arrival we hiked down to Rifugio Friedrich August and claimed a room for the night. This rifugio also doubles as a working farm; the food was wonderful and we liked seeing the various animals. We really enjoyed our stay here (and the free hot showers!). The next day we hiked the Friedrich August Weg, a walking route established in 1910 that follows old pastoral routes. It was a beautiful traverse with wide open views to Rifugio Sassopiatto and then a hike into an internal scree valley of Sassolungo to overnight at Rifugio Vicenza. Here Steve took the opportunity to do the via ferrata up Sassopiatto. The next day threatened rain with its overcast skies, so we did not delay in hiking around Sassolungo to Rifugio Comici and finally out to the road at Passo Sella. Book times and elevation gain/loss for our hike:

- Forcella Rodella (2316m) to Rifugio Sassopiatto (2256): 60m/197 ft loss, 1 hr 30 min
- Rifugio Sassopiatto to Rifugio Vicenza (2258): 297m/974 ft gain/loss, 2 hours
- Rifugio Vicenza to Rifugio Comici (2153m): 105m/344 ft loss, 1 hr 30 min
- Rifugio Comici to Passo Sella (2176m): 23m/75 ft loss, 1 hour

Total: 6 hours, 297m/974 feet elevation gain, 485m/1591 feet elevation loss