High-altitude excitement for this “face to face” with the Dolomitic mountain of Misurina, full of superb rock patterns, breathtaking glaciers, and lakes with amazing colours.Day 1
Tour of the Pale di Misurina and Monte Popena
Transfer by minibus from the airport, check-in at hotel, and departure for the ascent to Mt. Forcella (2,140 m). Richly panoramic walk to Malga Misurina. Here we will have a tasty stop, watching the making of butter and cheeses by hand. 3 1/2-hr walk.
2
Tour of the “Cadini” of Misurina
Transfer by minibus to the Col de Varda chair-lift to make a tour of the “Cadini”, which offer a landscape of “special effects” of Dolomitic rock. We will discover dizzying walls and spiky pinnacles, an attraction for many mountain climbers.
5 3/4-hr walk.
3
In Front of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo
Transfer by minibus to the Auronzo refuge. Departure from here for the hike to discover the Three Peaks of Lavaredo, huge natural obelisks whose north walls defy gravity and continue to attract mountain climbers from all over the world. It will also be possible to observe the imprints of a dinosaur of 200 million years ago. 5 3/4-hr walk.
4
Crossing of the Cristallo
Transfer by minibus to Rio Gere (Cortina) and continuation by chair-lift to Forcella Staunies, from where we will reach the
Lorenzi refuge (2,932 m) on foot. Spectacular ride over the ridge with a view of the vast horizon, interesting historic Alpine features, and exciting ups and downs. 6 1/2-hr walk.
5
Ascent to Monte Piana
Transfer to Lake d’Atorno. Crossing the Valle di Rinbianco and the Vallone dei Crastati, the home of the snow-grouse, chamois, and marmot, we will reach Monte Piana which, because of its strategic position, was one of the main battlefields of the Alpine Front during World War I. In the nearby History Museum we will see restored works of the military engineers which served as logistical support for the troops. 5-hr walk.
6
In the Turquoise of Lake Sorapis
Day devoted to the valley of Cortina d’Ampezzo and the surrounding mountains. After reaching the Passo Tre Croci by
minibus, we undertake the demanding crossing of the Punta Nera saddle that leads to the austere environment of the Sorapis, the renowned backdrop of the lake of Misurina. The Sorapis has one of the last glaciers of the Dolomites, whose blended
waters feed the lake of the same name; these waters will bewitch us with their spectacular turquoise colour. 6 1/2-hr walk.
7
A Day at Cortina d’Ampezzo
Transfer by minibus to Cortina d’Ampezzo and visit to the elegant town. Lunch at atypical local restaurant and then proceed to railway station for departure.
