Monte Civetta Mountain

Dolomite peak famous for steep north face climbs

Monte Civetta in the Dolomites is famous among climbers for its sheer north face and via‑ferrata routes. Hikers and alpine climbers come for long ridge walks and winter ski access from nearby valleys.

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Monte Civetta at a Glance#

Address: Monte Civetta, Dolomites, Veneto, Italy

About Monte Civetta#

Monte Civetta is a major Dolomite peak in the Veneto region of northern Italy with a summit elevation of 3,220 metres. It is widely known for its dramatic profile and a steep northwest face that is a landmark for climbers.

The mountain attracts rock climbers for its long, multi-pitch routes on the northwest wall and hikers for high-mountain trails and via ferrata that connect mountain huts and ridgelines. Mountain refuges provide staging points for ascents and overnight stays.

The peak sits within the Dolomites, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has been a focal point for alpinism in the region since the 19th century.

Monte Civetta occupies a position above the Agordo and Zoldo valleys in the Belluno Dolomites, with nearby mountain towns such as Alleghe and Cortina d’Ampezzo serving as common bases for visitors.

  • Elevation and status: The summit reaches 3,220 metres and is part of the Dolomites, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Climbing significance: The mountain’s northwest wall presents long, technical climbing routes and is one of the most famous big walls in the Dolomites.

What to See#

  • Cima Civetta (summit): Cima Civetta is the main summit at 3,220 metres and forms the focal point for the mountain’s climbing routes and panoramic viewpoints.
  • Northwest face: The mountain’s northwest face is a near-vertical wall of roughly 800-1,000 metres that is famous among technical climbers and features classic multi-pitch routes.
  • Rifugio Tissi: Rifugio Tissi lies on the mountain’s northern approaches and serves as a base for climbers and hikers attempting routes on the face and summit.

Tips for Visiting Monte Civetta#

  • Start alpine activities very early in the day to avoid the common late‑afternoon thunderstorms in the Dolomites and to catch the best stable light for views and photography of Civetta's famous north face.
  • If you're aiming to photograph or admire the classic northwest/north face, approach from the Alleghe/Val di Zoldo side where viewpoints and trailheads give the clearest panoramas of the mountain.
  • Consider staying in a rifugio (mountain hut) nearby rather than doing a same‑day out‑and‑back; that lets you experience sunrise and less crowded trails when most day visitors haven't arrived yet.

Best Time to Visit Monte Civetta#

Plan a summer visit (June-September) for the most reliable conditions for hiking and climbing on Monte Civetta.

Summer (best for hiking and climbing)
June-September · 5-20°C
Milder daytime temperatures on the mountain and largely snow-free routes - ideal for hiking, climbing and via ferrata.
Winter (snow and alpine conditions)
December-March · -10-5°C
Snow and cold prevail; the area is suitable for winter mountaineering and nearby ski activities but routes can be technical and weather-dependent.
Shoulder seasons (variable conditions)
April-May, October · 0-15°C
Unpredictable conditions with possible late snow or early freezes - some trails may still be snowy or muddy.

Weather & Climate near Monte Civetta#

Climate

Monte Civetta's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 8°C. Abundant rainfall (1239 mm/year), wettest in July.

Air Quality: AQI 35 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
-31°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -11° - -6° -17° 78 mm partly cloudy 89% 6.6 m/s 0.1 low 8.9h
February Poor -12° - -7° -17° 73 mm partly cloudy 90% 6.0 m/s 0.3 low 10.2h
March Poor -11° - -6° -16° 93 mm partly cloudy 84% 5.8 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.8h
April Poor -8° - -4° -13° 103 mm overcast 80% 5.5 m/s 0.9 moderate 13.4h
May Poor -3° - 1° -6° 112 mm overcast 79% 4.8 m/s 1.3 high 14.8h
June Poor 0° - 5° -2° 125 mm overcast 78% 4.5 m/s 1.6 very high 15.6h
July Poor 3° - 8° 2° 134 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.2 m/s 1.7 very high 15.2h
August Poor 3° - 8° 2° 128 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.9 m/s 1.4 high 14.0h
September Poor 0° - 4° -2° 102 mm partly cloudy 82% 4.5 m/s 0.9 moderate 12.4h
October Poor -3° - 1° -6° 102 mm partly cloudy 85% 5.4 m/s 0.5 low 10.7h
November Poor -7° - -3° -12° 106 mm partly cloudy 88% 6.0 m/s 0.2 low 9.3h
December Poor -9° - -5° -15° 83 mm partly cloudy 88% 6.6 m/s 0.1 low 8.5h

Nearby Attractions to Monte Civetta#