A Night in Spectacular Bivacco Fanton in Marmarole Mountains, Dolomites

Recently, I visited the trully spectacular Bivacco Fanton in the Marmarole mountains group in the Italian Dolomites, and spent a night there. Here is my first-hand detailed report. 

Bivacco Fratelli Fanton coordinates, numbers & details

• Elevation: 2667 m (8750 ft). 
• Coordinates: 46.5057275 N, 12.3428556 E.
• Route difficulty: walk-up & easy ferrata.
• Places to sleep: 12 people.
• Elevation difference from the parking: 1567 m (5141 ft).
• Parking coordinates: 46.5424464 N, 12.3737425 E.
• Time needed to the bivouac: 6-7 hours. 
• Hardcopy map for the tour: Dolomiti di Auronzo e del Comelico, Tabacco 017, 1:25000.

The Bivacco Fanton is an innovative frontier architecture. It redefines the relationship between man and extreme landscapes through three core principles: anchoring, suspension, and habitat.

This compact, experimental design integrates with the Dolomite mountains, balancing technical precision with theoretical exploration. The structure, a lightweight fiberglass shell inspired by nautical construction, minimizes environmental impact by anchoring at just three points, ensuring reversibility and preserving the natural terrain.

Elevated and aligned with the slope, see the photo below, it hovers delicately, blending into the rugged orography while offering a thermally efficient shelter.

This inhabitable telescope-shaped structure frames the Auronzo di Cadore landscape, harmonizing protection and risk, nature and artifice, to create an intimate, immersive alpine experience.

Route description

Here, I describe the access route from the north side, i.e., from Auronzo di Cadore valley. There is yet another route from the south, from Rifugio Chiggiato where you get from Calalzo di Cadore, but I did not walk it and cannot provide details here.

So when you are in the valley between Auronzo di Cadore and Giralba, at the restaurant Bellavista, try to locate a narrow road that splits from the main road into the south-west direction and goes over Ponte Da Rin into Val Da Rin.

After a few kilometers you will see Rifugio La Primula on the right side. I do not think this is a real hut, it is small and it looks more like a restaurant to me. In any case, keep drivining for a few hundred meters more and you will be at a picknick area with a free car parking.

Note that there is a water source just a few meters below the parking so you can fill your bottles.

The interactive map below shows all the details. You can zoom in and out as you wish. The marker 1 shows the position of the La Primula hut; the marker 2 is the parking area, and the marker 3 is the position of Bivacco Fanton.

From the parking, you cross the water stream (the picture below) and keep walking parallel to it and up the mountain. This is now Val Baion area. 

The first part is through a pleasant forrest, and after that you will be above it and the route becomes very steep. When you are half-way up, you will get to an area with several fixed cables, see the photo below.

If you have your ferrata equipment with you, this is the place where you may use it. I used it on my way up because I did not know what to expect. But this is all doable even without equipment, so on descent I did not use it. 

Very soon you will have the Bivacco in sight, the photo below shows how it looked when I was there. This motivates you to keep going on the harsh terrain where the progress is very slow.

Inside, you have 12 beds in two levels, and the whole space is angled and with inner stairs, see the photo below. One window is on the upper side, and there is one smaller on the longer side of the bivouac, on the right in the photo:

The beds are wood platforms with very good mattrasses covered in some plastic material, see the pictures. This all makes the space look clean and modern. There are thin pillows as well, made of the same material. 

When you put your sleeping bag here, you need nothing more, but there are many blankes to use if you feel cold. Plenty of storage space is under each of the bunk beds, in addition to shelves that are visible in the photo below.

The sitting area is simply incredible, and I do not remember seeing anything similar to this in any of the bivouacs I have visited in the past. Here you have the third and the largest panoramic window, the crux of the place:

Please see more in my video:

My tour to Bivacco Fanton

What gear and equipment is needed

Final thoughts

Thank you for reading. Let me know if you have questions or comments, there is a comment section below. For more texts from the same area please follow the link for Dolomites. Note that you can get from Bivacco Fanton also to Bivacco Rifugio Tiziano and Bivacco Toso, the shelters that are also described here in the site.

 Please join us at our Facebook group Dolomites Visitors Hub. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bivacco Fanton?

The Bivacco Fanton is a modern, free-to-use alpine shelter in the Marmarole Mountains, Dolomites, at 2667 m elevation. It accommodates 12 people with beds, mattresses, blankets, and pillows, featuring a unique fiberglass design for minimal environmental impact.

How do I reach the Bivacco Fanton?

From the parking area (46.5424464 N, 12.3737425 E) near Rifugio La Primula in Val Da Rin, follow the trail through Val Baion. The 6-7 hour hike involves a 1567 m elevation gain, a forested path, and a steep section with fixed cables requiring basic ferrata gear.

What equipment do I need for the hike and stay?

Bring ferrata equipment for the cabled sections, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, inflatable pillow, and rain protection. Trekking poles and sturdy boots (e.g., Mammut Sapuen GTX) are recommended. Carry sufficient water, as no reliable sources are available en route.

Is the Bivacco Fanton suitable for beginners?

The route is moderately challenging with a walk-up and easy ferrata section. It is manageable for fit beginners with proper gear, but the 6-7 hour ascent and 1567 m elevation gain require good physical preparation and basic hiking experience.