Summer in Val Fiorentina

The tour retraces the places once frequented for hunting by the Man of Mondeval and passes through the entire Pelmo - Croda da Lago Number 1 System of the UNESCO Dolomites. It is an excursion that will immerse you in the time when there were only animals or a few nomadic hunters tramping these areas.

Following first a forest road and then a steeper section from Selva di Cadore, we proceed to the summit of Monte Fertazza. The panorama seen from here, over the most important Dolomite groups, is breathtaking.

Two chairlifts, equipped to transport bicycles, that start from Pescul can limit the uphill climb to Cima Fertazza.

Following scenic forest roads in the direction of Passo Staulanza, you arrive at a large car park right at the foot of Monte Pelmo, from where an easily pedalled unpaved road of moderate gradient starts, leading to the Rifugio Città di Fiume (1918m). Beyond the hut, path no. 467 leads below the slopes of Col de la Puina.

We descend a short distance from Forcella de la Puina and then reach Forcella Roan, Casera Prendera and finally Forcella Ambrizzola. At times, it is not possible to ride on the narrow path from Casera Prendera to Forcella Ambrizzola and the bike must be carried by hand.

Here, the view dominates the Mondeval de Sora plateau and the mountains above it, the Lastoi de Formin and La Croda da Lago. In the distance, towards the valley, we can see the boulder where the burial of the Mondeval Man, who lived more than 8,000 years ago, was found, whose skeleton and grave goods are preserved in the Museo Vittorino Cazzetta in Selva di Cadore.

From Forcella Ambrizzola we descend along an enjoyable route to Rifugio Palmieri and Lake Federa (2046 m); from here the narrow and technical path no. 431 through the woods obliges us to carry the bike by hand for a few short stretches, until it joins the Giau Pass state road at Pezie de Parù. Continuing uphill on the state road, after a few metres we turn right onto the small road that will take us to the 5 Torri. Here begins the final ascent to Rifugio Averau (2413 m).

Alternatively, if you want to limit the ascent, you can take the nearby Cortina Skyline cable car and the 5 Torri chairlift in sequence.

To the right, after passing the Rifugio Averau (Averau Hut), take a path leading to the start of the single track to the Melei plateau. With the Marmolada in the background and crossing the pastures of Monte Pore, a pleasant, long descent takes us to the picturesque village of Larzonei.

Here, the path climbs up to Forzela moderately and then descends to Colle Santa Lucia. Back on the main road, you soon return to Selva di Cadore with a view of the Val Fiorentina panorama, and finally return to the village of Pescul.

https://www.trailforks.com/goto/ro/51749/

Itinerary: Rif. Città di Fiume - Forc. Ambrizzola - Rifugio Palmieri - 5 Torri - Rifugio Averau - Larzonei - Selva di Cadore

Starting in Pescul from here you go take dirt track no.569 or the chairlift to the the Fertazza Mountain Hut. Once you pass the Mountain Hut continue on a very challenging ascent to reach the Costa del Conte crossroads.  From here a long and varied descent to Alleghe starts: the descent is on a dirt track-asphalt road and paths through Prà della Costa, Fernazza, Coi, Frena, Coldemies Fontanive until the village of Alleghe. From there take the cable car to Piani di Pezzè at an altitude of 1,452 m above sea level.  Get back on the bike and head towards Fontanabona.  Once you pass the Mountain Hut a long a very challenging climb starts called, “Il muro del Civetta” (The Civetta wall).

After this stretch the route becomes easier to pedal until Forcella at an altitude of 1,827 m above sea level. Take path no.564 which is quite flat passing by the Malga Pioda Farmstead on the right to reach Palafavera at an altitude of 1,511 m above sea level. Take the dirt track - path towards Val Posedera from the car park of the chairlift which climbs slightly through the woods. Once you reach the Malga Vescovà Farmstead turn right and head towards the Malga Fontanafreda Farmstead. From the Farmstead continue towards Forc. Pecol at an altitude of 1,786 m above sea level. From there you start to descend along the La Vizza de Mareson on a stretch that is very technical and challenging towards Palui at an altitude of 1,493 m above sea level. When you reach the bottom turn right towards Baita Flora Alpina, cross over the main road and continue to the foot of Mount Pelmo to the Aquileia Mountain Hut. From the Mountain Hut cross through the pastures to return to Pescul.

Itinerary: Pescul - Fertazza Mountain Hut - Costa del Conte - Alleghe - Piani di Pezze - Col dei Baldi - Palafavera - Malga Fontanafreda Farmstead - Forcella Pecol - Aquileia Mountain Hut - Pescul

This route starts at the car park of the chairlift in Pescul which in about an hour of pedalling takes you up to the Fertazza Mountain Hut at an altitude of 1,839 m above sea level. At the end of the car park take forestry-pastoral road no.569 which climbs slightly to the crossroads in Costaza at an altitude of 1,565 m above sea level.  Continue uphill through some hairpin bends to reach the Mountain Hut.

You can return the same way you came or take an alternative route that is a little bit more challenging that takes you past the start of the second chairlift and continues on path no.569 following directions for Col de la Montagna and further on for Col de la Chiza at an altitude of 1,663 m above sea level. From there take the flat road to Bivio della Costaza and then the dirt track you took on the way out to Pescul.

Itinerary: Pescul - Fertazza Mountain Hut

From Selva di Cadore go to the village of Rova and take the dirt track that leads to the crossroads to the Giau Pass. Go up the steep asphalt road to the Fedare Mountain Hut at an altitude of 2,000 m above sea level and from there take the chairlift to the Averau Mountain Hut at an altitude of 2,413 m above sea level. Descend the short, challenging stretch along the ski slope and turn right back onto path no.441 to continue towards Jof de Melei along the meadows on the northern slopes of Mount Pore.

The path is not very easy to see but follow the haybarns through the pastures and then turn left when you reach the dirt track leading to Roun that passes through the characteristic village of Larzonei at an altitude of 1,577 m above sea level.  Continue towards the hamlet of Colcuc and downhill towards Canazei. The Strada de la Vena continues to Ru-Costauta and then downhill to Pian di Colle Santa Lucia; from here you return to Selva di Cadore quickly.

Itinerary: Selva di Cadore - Fedare Mountain Hut - Averau Mountain Hut - Jof de Melei - Masonadie - Larzonei – Colcuc - Pian di Colle Santa Lucia - Selva di Cadore

This brief excursion starts from the chairlift car park in Pescul. Take dirt track no.569 on the right uphill to reach Ristoro Fertazza. Once you pass the Mountain Hut continue uphill for a short distance towards the Col dei Giai ridge and then downhill to the Malga Fontanafreda Farmstead and nearby Forcella Pecol then continue downhill to the pastures in Palui. From here the path starts to climb that first leads up to Piera de l’Autà at an altitude of 1,756 m asl, and then downhill towards the Malga Pien de Vacia Farmstead. Once you reach the last farmstead on the tour continue downhill to the ancient hamlets of Tofol and L’Andria, and after you pass through them continue on to Santa Fosca and the starting point.

Itinerary: Pescul - Fertazza Mountain Hut - Malga Fontanafreda Farmstead - Malga Pien de Vacia Farmstead - L’Andria and Tofol - Santa Fosca - Pescul

This brief and easy excursion in about an hour takes you to the Città di Fiume Mountain Hut at an altitude of 1,918 m above sea level at the foot of Mount Pelmo. The starting point is at the second hairpin bend toward the Staulanza Pass. On the left there is a large car park where dirt track no.467 starts. The first part of the path takes you to the Malga Fiorentina Farmstead where you can admire a view of all Val Fiorentina. The track then becomes steeper, but it flattens out as you continue until you reach the Città di Fiume Mountain Hut.

Itinerary: Città Di Fiume Mountain Hut

From Pescul take the chairlift to Mount Fertazza or take dirt track no.569 up to the top. At the top take path no. 566 towards Col di Davegnin.  This part of the path to Lagusello has a challenging surface with some decidedly rough sections. Once you reach Lagusello continue downhill on a steep path to reach Caprile. From here take the small road that runs alongside the main road to Alleghe at the foot of Mount Civetta.

Take the two cable cars to Col dei Baldi at an altitude of 1,915 m above sea level. Once you exit the cable car take the path downhill to Caserà Vescovà; from there you reach a crossroads where you turn left towards the Malga Fontanafreda Farmstead. Continue for a short flat stretch to Forcella Pecol where a technical and demanding descent begins that leads to the Pescul plains in the village of Bosc de le Fuoie. From here continue left and take the asphalt road towards the village of Pescul.

Itinerary: Pescul - Mount Fertazza - Lagusello - Caprile - Alleghe - Col dei Baldi - Malga Fontanafreda Farmstead - Pescul

This panoramic tour of Val Fiorentina takes you through numerous villages in the Municipalities of Selva di Cadore and Colle Santa Lucia. From the car park of the chairlift in Pescul take dirt track no.569 to the crossroads in Costaza at an altitude of 1,568 m above sea level and then go downhill towards Fiorentina, an ancient village abandoned after a flood in 1,966. Go back to the main road and go up the hill almost to the main square in Selva di Cadore. 100 m before the square turn left towards the hamlet of Villa and from there continue on to Codalonga. Once you cross the stream, which until 1,918 was the ancient state border between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, continue uphill to Pian di Colle Santa Lucia.

Once you meet the main road take the steep path “El troi dei Siori” on the other side of it that takes you to the “Vauz”, debris areas where some of the Fusil Mines were once located in Posalz. From Posalz go downhill to the road leading to the Giau Pass. Continue on the road for a few metres until you find the sign for Rova – Zardin on the right. Once you reach Rova-Zardin take the path on the left which is initially very steep and then flattens out to reach Pien Dare at an altitude of 1,652 m above sea level and continue downhill to L’Andria. Once you reach the hamlet keep left and cross over the bridge in Tofol then turn left and continue on an asphalt road that goes past the Malga Pien de Vacia Farmstead and takes you to the village of Piera de l’Autà at an altitude of 1,756 m above sea level.  Here the tour is almost over. The road continues downhill to Palui where you take the path on the right through the meadows, cross over the bridge on the Cordon stream and continue on to the starting point in Pescul.

Itinerary: Pescul - Costaza - Fiorentina - Villa - Pian - Posalz - Zardin - Pien Dare - L’Andria - Piera de L’Autà - Palui - Pescul

For young Mountain Bike enthusiasts there is a circular cycle path on paths and roads that takes you to the Aquileia Mountain Hut from the picnic area in Palui. The starting point is on the left at the beginning of the picnic area, or you can start from Pescul (slightly more challenging), by taking the road on the left near the last houses in the village. The trail crosses through meadows where horses and cows graze and through a fir tree wood along the Fiorentina stream.

Once you reach the Aquileia Mountain Hut; if you are not too tired you can do a tour of the meadow in front of the Mountain Hut. The return journey is initially the same as on the way up. The second half is along the Fiorentina stream on the opposite side. The route is mostly flat or slightly uphill. It is 4 km round trip and suitable for families and beginners with minimal training.

Itinerary: Pescul - Palui - Aquileia Mountain Hut

This excursion, suitable for Enduro and All Mountain MTBs, provides a privileged view of the most evocative panoramas of the UNESCO Dolomites and, in particular, of Mounts Pelmo and Civetta.

From Pescul, at the end of the chairlift car park, starts the silvopastoral road no. 569 which, through the forest, leads uphill to the Fertazza Refuge. Beyond, the hut and the start of the second chairlift, the path continues through a forest of fir and larch trees and turns left, immediately ascending through meadows and old huts. At an altitude of 2101m, in the vicinity of the Cima del Monte Fertazza, we continue to the left and reach the Belvedere hut.

From Pescul, at the end of the car park of the chairlift, the silvopastoral path no. 569 starts, which, through the woods, leads uphill to the Fertazza Refuge. Beyond, the hut and the start of the second chairlift, the path continues through a forest of fir and larch trees and turns left, immediately ascending through meadows and old huts. At an altitude of 2101m, in the vicinity of the Cima del Monte Fertazza, we continue to the left and reach the Belvedere hut.

Here, we continue to the right along path no. 566, keeping the north-west face of the Civetta and Monte Pelmo behind us, with the Marmolada and the Sella Group in front of us. We soon arrive, across high mountain meadows and rhododendrons, near a rock where the Madonnina Bianca (White Madonna) of Monte Fertazza stands. Here, in an unspoilt setting, the panorama is one of the most spectacular in the Dolomites.

A varied path, at times smooth and at times technical, descends from here first to the vantage point of Col Davagnin, then to the village of Lagusello and finally to the village of Caprile.

From Caprile, after following the cycle path for a short stretch, we proceed uphill on an asphalt and then a dirt road to Bramezza, a village built, according to tradition, by Ottoman prisoners of war exiled here by the Serenissima Republic of Venice. The view of the north face of the Civetta and Lake Alleghe is breathtaking.

From here, a very enjoyable trail leads us to the village of Alleghe, from where we ascend towards Col dei Baldi. Continuing on a technical trail, we first reach Malga Vescovà, then pass through Malga Fontanafreda, Forcella Pecol and complete the tour by returning to Pescul.

It is possible to reduce the ascent by using the chairlifts from Pescul to Monte Fertazza and the gondolas from Alleghe to Col dei Baldi.