Dolomites High Altitude Trail 3

 Stage 1: Villabassa - Prato Piazza

Trail no. 15 leads from Villabassa with a considerable ascent southwards or south-eastwards up to the Putzalm. From there, continue left on trail no. 16 or 33 until you reach a fork. There turn right onto trail 33 and continue over scree and crags to the western shoulder of the Sarlkofel. Continue over the Sarlsattel, Sarlriedel and the eastern flank of the Sarlköfele to the Flodigsattel. Follow trail no. 40A around the Dürrenstein massif until you reach the Prato Piazza.

Stage 2: Prato Piazza - Rifugio Bosi

The second stage also requires a lot of fitness and attentiveness. Trail 37 first leads to the Dürrenstein hut, from there it is a steep uphill walk eastwards on an unmarked trail, then northwards to the Strudelkopf saddle. Trail 34 then leads down into the Helltal valley with war remains, so that the Strudelköpfe are hiked around. After the descent into the Höhlensteintal valley, trail no. 6 leads to the steep ascent (pioneer trail, danger of falling rocks!) to Monte Piano (north peak) and Monte Piana (south peak). A little later you reach the Rifugio Bosi on trail no. 122.

Stage 3: Rifugio Bosi - Rifugio Vandelli

On the asphalt road to Misurina or on the shortcut trail, the route descends in hairpin bends to Forcella Alta. A trail then branches off to the right and leads southwest down to the Dolomite road in Val Popena Bassa. Follow the road to the left until you reach a bend to the left, where trail 222 leads into Val Popena Alta. It goes to the Sella di Popena and under the walls of the Corno d'Angolo until reaching the Dolomite road at Passo Tre Croci. The climb (partly exposed, stairs, wire ropes) then follows on trail no. 215 high above the Val Sorapiss to the Rifugio Vandelli.

Stage 4: Rifugio Vandelli - Bivacco Slataper

This stage is the most technically difficult of the entire undertaking. Trail 215 and 242 lead westwards to Lago di Sorapiss and over steep scree gullies to the "Tonde de Sorapiss" high cirque. The south-west and south face of the Fopa di Mattia and the Croda Marcora respectively is crossed via the demanding (danger of falling rocks!) Cengia del Banco with impressive panoramic views. The next challenge immediately follows with the Via Attrezzata Francesco Berti via ferrata (up to C, free climbing sections up to II, KS set). The Bivacco Slataper is then reached via trail 246.

Section 5: Bivacco Slataper - Rifugio San Marco

This crossing represents an enjoyable hike with imposing views of Torre dei Sabbioni, Croda Marcora and Monte Pelmo. Path 246 leads to this in the Forcella Grande,  before we follow path no. 226 down to the Rifugio San Marco.

Stage 6: Rifugio San Marco - San Vito di Cadore

Trail no. 226 descends in serpentines southwards to a large scree slope, where a path branches off in a south-easterly direction to the Rifugio Scotter-Palatini. Number 226 points the way down to San Vito di Cadore.

Stage 7: San Vito di Cadore - Rifugio Venezia

From San Vito di Cadore, we first climb to Sèrdes, then continue in the forest on trail no. 470. The trail becomes narrower and steeper before meeting a forest road. Turn right there and in a left-hand bend to the Tiera car park, where we again look out for n. 470. Mostly in the forest, later through mountain pines and larches, we climb to the Rifugio Venezia.

Stage 8: Rifugio Venezia - Rifugio Dolomites

From the Rifugio, the trail first heads briefly southwards to Passo di Rutorto, where you turn left onto trail no. 475, which heads north-east. After about half an hour, you reach a junction where you keep to the right (trail 456 and 493). The trail enters the Val delle Fontanelle, then crosses meadows and woods to the "Ciampestrin" saddle. Continue east or southeast to a log cabin and at the next fork, turn right south to a small pond. A little later you will come to a natural path (456), which you follow to the left. This takes you to the Rifugio Talamini. Then there is the rather arduous, steep ascent to the Rifugio Dolomites at the summit of Monte Rite (trail 494, 478).

Stage 9: Rifugio Dolomites - Rifugio Bosconero

From the Rifugio we first descend again to the Forcella Deona, then follow trail no. 479 steeply downhill in serpentines towards the south, then south-east. After about one and a half hours of descent, we reach the Cibiana Pass with the Rifugio Remauro. From there, the well-marked trail leads south in the forest, up to the eastern slope of Punta de Copada and then to an important fork. We take the middle path (482 and 485) and climb to the Forcella de le Ciavazole. The following descent through a scree gorge is very difficult and requires the utmost attention (danger of falling, pickaxe and crampons if necessary). At the following fork, we follow trail no. 485 to the Rifugio Bosconero.

Stage 10: Rifugio Bosconero - Bivacco Tovanella

This stage again places high demands on fitness and technique - the entire southern Bosconero group is crossed. In early summer, ice axes and crampons are advisable. Trail no. 490 leads eastwards up to the scree gully between Sasso di Bosconero and Rocchetta Alta. There, trail 482 crosses and, keeping to the left, it is quite difficult to follow to the Forcella de la Toanella. This is followed by the very demanding traverse under the walls of the Dito di Toanella (danger of slipping!) and on the east side of the Cima di Busa to the Forcella del Viaz de le Ponte. Continue into the west side of the Rocchette de la Serra (steep drop, wire rope, chimney). Then follows one of the most challenging sections, the traverse on the climb under the walls of the Rocchette. From Porta de la Serra, the traverse becomes less demanding. Trail no. 482 finally leads down to the Bivacco Tovanella, which is quite steep in places.

Stage 11: Bivacco Tovanella - Longarone

The last stage is the scenic, partly steep descent to Longarone. To do this, trail no. 482 first leads to the Costa del Dou shoulder, then across meadows and through woods  down to Col Torondol. From there, continue in a south-easterly direction to the Col la Luni shoulder. Another waypoint is Col la Lol (cross) before descending to Longarone via Podenzoi.