Canazei with children: ready to start again

by Paola Agostini (sissi_mum) 11/05/2021

Thanks to post-Covid reopenings, with a summer that still looks Italian, just like past summer, we return to tell you about the mountains, Dolomites, in Trentino. This time we move to Val di Fassa, to Canazei, a beautiful and renowned town nestled among the important Dolomite groups of Sassolungo, Marmolada and Sella.

Depending on the age of your children and whether or not you are in the habit of trekking and walking, you have countless activities to do with them. Even those who are more accustomed and trained, will not disdain nature trails, playing days to alternate with more demanding treks.

Canazei with children in summer: tourist activities for everyone

Canazei offers simple and relaxing walks foreveryone, even for the lazy, for those who move only with strollers or have reduced mobility: right in the center of Canazei (Streda del Cercenà) there is a large green space used as a playground with everything a child can want, shaded and well-kept, with also inflatables.

Along the River Avisio going towards Campitello di Fassa there is a playground with a pond that is about 10 minutes from the center of Canazei on foot: the walk along the Avisio river does not present difficulties, it is flat and easy even for the little ones, both on foot and with a stroller.

Walking along the Avisio towards Alba (Streda do Veisc) you can instead visit a playground completely surrounded by greenery, with wooden games, also frequented by many… squirrels! At that point the river water is low (it will be an irrepressible call to dip your feet even if… the water is cold!) and when it’s hot there are quite a few people sunbathing.

Children have always liked trains: well, in Canazei you can take a nice ride on the small train that arrives in Campitello. The Express train in winter connects the Belvedere ski lifts with the center of the village of Canazei, while in summer it connects the villages of the Alta Val di Fassa.

What if it’s bad weather? There’s more than just an indoor pool in Canazei: the Dòlaondes Aquatic Center is a true paradise that includes pools and pools, slides, and a spa.

Canazei with children in summer: hiking activities

In Val di Fassa there are certainly paths for all tastes and difficulties. If you are trained on average, you can try the trekking path to Marmolada with the children.

After the disused fall of the baskets (it seems that there are projects in progress to reopen a more modern one) that went up to the Pian dei Fiacconi Hut from passo Fedaia, the only way to reach the refuge is to do it… on foot! The Pian dei Fiacconi hut and the Marmolada Glacier hut (which is slightly above the first) are located at the foot of the perennial Marmolada glacier: it will be exciting to be able to observe the glacier up close (which due to global warming is retreating year after year). Along the path you can enjoy beautiful views of Punta Rocca and Punta Penia, the highest peak in the Dolomites, of the Marmolada group. Looking north you will find the Sella Group, with the Sassopiatto and Sassolungo, the Piz Boè, and, below, Lake Fedaia.

It starts from passo Fedaia,with the beautiful dam, which you will cross by car to park near Cima Undici Hut (where you can also eat!). From here take path 606 and in about three hours (considering a constant step with an 8-year-old girl, with some stops for photos and to catch your breath) you reach the Pian dei Fiacconi hut at 2626 meters: the path is a normal trekking path, not exposed, which in the first part is greener and in the second part becomes more rocky. Especially in the first stretch, and especially for children, consider having to climb your hands and feet on some boulders: it will be very fun!

The Pian dei Fiacconi hut is wonderful: we found a real refreshment and ate very well: unfortunately in December 2020 it was destroyed by an avalanche. We hope that it will be rebuilt soon because it represents one of the most beautiful points of the excursion at the top of the Marmolada. Just up, at 2700 meters, is the Marmolada Glacier hut. For the return you can follow the same road carried out on the way (path 606) or the path 606bis, longer but with less difference in height, in which attention must be paid because it is a broken path. For the descent we took (with the same conditions as the first leg) about two hours.

The Pian dei Fiacconi hut and Marmolada Glacier are also a starting point to climb punta Penia, through the glacier: an excursion to take into account without children and only if you have experience on ice or are accompanied by a mountain guide.

Start: Passo Fedaia 2054 meters
Height difference: 500 meters
Maximum altitude: Rifugio Pian dei Fiacconi 2626 meters
Times (with children): three hours for the climb / two for the descent
Difficulty E
Period: summer
Cartography: Tobacco 1:25.000, sheet 06, Val di Fassa and Dolomiti Fassa

Canazei with children in summer: Hotel Astoria

Although the choice of accommodation in Canazei is very wide, we chose Hotel Astoria because it has everything we think you could want in a mountain holiday with children: courtesy, availability, good food, very clean rooms, attention to adults and children, SPA in family format.

The kitchen meets any need, offering a varied, healthy menu, with buffet part and part in order, with a compliance with anti-covid rules always punctual and precise. At snack you can have a rich snack in the bar area, really pleasant and appreciated even to the little ones.

The rooms of the Hotel Astoria, very important especially in times of Covid, go far beyond the standards of hygiene and safety: you feel safe, quiet in living even your beautiful room (you can choose between 7 different types of rooms and suites) and the outdoor spaces.

The wellness area is perfect and, above all, family-friendly: it often happens that you cannot take advantage of the SPA because it is reserved only for adults … the wellness area of the Hotel Astoria has a swimming pool for the little ones separated from the larger swimming pool, which can be swam, and the Jacuzzi. A modern sauna and Spa area completes the offer with an extensive menu of massages and treatments and an outdoor solarium.

For children there is a kids’ club ready to organize many activities and safely manage the time of the little ones! Also ideal for relaxing as a couple or for a few more adult excursions, while children play and have carefree fun.

There are also numerous services, shops and entertainment areas near the Hotel Astoria, as well as the beautiful old town of Canazei with the famous watch.

Hotel Astoria: all activities for guests

Trekking, nature, family with Val di Fassa Guest Card:

Approach to climbing with mountain guide, for children from 7 to 14 years
Learning to move in the mountains: a full day with mountain experts
Workshops for adults and children to introduce to the geology of the Dolomites
5 weekly family activities at Ciampac

MTBike:

Start of mountain biking for children from 7 to 14 years old with FassaBike instructor
MTBike test tour for adults
Panoramic 1/2 day tour with the electric MTBike € 10.00
Full day E-bike tour € 20,00
Agri-Ebike Full Day Tour with tasting € 25,00
Sellaronda MTB Tour: clockwise, anti-clockwise or gravity version € 20.00
1 additional tour during the week for min groups 4 people who will stay at a
Bike Friendly property € 20.00

To these activities are added many others at a discounted price with mountain professionals: more than 20 different activities per week (trekking, walking, cultural activities, Mtbikes, horseback riding, paragliding, climbing, yoga..)

In addition, for guests there are many other advantages and discounts such as:

With VAL DI FASSA GUEST CARD all trentinotrasporti regular buses are free, in addition discounts and discounts on many services, playgrounds and adventure, museums, activities and shuttles
Ice Stadium:free entry and skate rental with the Hockey Card
QC Terme Dolomia: entry reservation with 10% discount
Free admission to the Ladin de Fascia Museum and the sections detached on the territory
Free admission to the Geological Museum of the Dolomites

Hotel Astoria Special COVID19

To cope with the possible closures, but to allow everyone to organize their holiday in Trentino,the Hotel Astoria ensures that in case of lockdown, closure of regions / states and impediment to departure (including in case of quarantine or positive buffer), a 18-month stay voucher will be issued, also for last-minute cancellations.

Book now with frozen deposit mode: the deposit will be required only when the free movement between regions is confirmed.

Hotel Astoria also accepts the holiday bonus!