Dolomitas - Alta via 1
Day 11 - Carestiato refuge (1839 meters) to Sommariva (1857 meters)
We left the refuge and took trail 549 which was a road and soon after we started going down to Passo Duran (1600m), we turned right and took the road, as it had rained and the trail was muddy. After about 2 kilometers we entered trail 543, going uphill through the forest.
Due to the mud, tree roots and many very narrow places with a very steep slope, it was a little difficult and with the danger of slipping and falling into the holes, but everything went well.
We leave the forest and walk along the side of the mountain to the Somariva refuge.
Day 12 - Sommariva refuge (1857 meters) to Bianchet refuge (1245 meters)
This was certainly the most challenging day, as it only went up steeply to 2400 meters (Zita Mountain summit. Initially through a forest, then a wall at almost 90 degrees.
We go back a little on the trail and head out onto trail 514 which passes by the Pian de Fontana refuge.
We start a very steep climb up to the gate of Piazedel at 2097 meters, there we find a kind of ramp but with a very steep climb until we reach Forcella de Zita Sudi at 2351 meters.
This was a very challenging point for those afraid of heights, as it is a steep and well exposed ridge of about 500 meters up to and passing Zita de Miezzo at 2451 meters..
Shortly after winning this stage, there was one of the steepest descents, a walk on the side of the mountain where there is a monster slide.
We reached a plateau and soon began to descend vertically. Until arriving at Refugio Pian de Fontana (1632 meters)
There were 800 meters of descent in a few kilometers.
We continue along trail 514, go down a little and start climbing to 1800 meters when we start a steep descent and in the middle we take trail 518 to the right towards the Bianchet refuge.
Day 13 - Bianchet refuge (1245 meters) - Pisa (448m) - Belluno (370 meters) and Venice.
Our last day on the trail. A mixture of joy and sadness.
We’ve met our goal, but it’s running out.
Now it’s time to go down trail 503, which is a road used to supply the refuge.
But there are very complicated points for cars.
Almost at the end there is an exit on the left that cuts the path to the bus stop (la Pisa).
We took the 11:20 am bus to Belluno and the 2:10 pm train to Venice.
As we had time, we went for lunch.
End of the trail, but for me the beginning of a new adventure, as I’m heading to Croatia.
