Dolomites High Route 4

Stage 1: Innichen – Dreischuster Hut

From Innichen station, follow the Sextenbach southeast. At the guesthouse Zum Klaus, our route (No. 105) branches off to the right into the Innerfeld valley. In the forest, we hike upstream to the parking lot by Antoninstein. There, we turn right off the road and trail No. 7A leads us uphill. We meet the road again and soon reach the Dreischuster Hut (1626 m).

Stage 2: Dreischuster Hut – Drei Zinnen Hut

On route No. 105 we hike southwest, then continue southwards upstream. At the fork at the valley end, the right path No. 9 leads in steep switchbacks up to the Schwarzboden plateau (1895 m). On route No. 10 we undertake the strenuous ascent over steep scree slopes to the Große Wildgrabenjoch (2289 m). From there, continue on route No. 11 southeast. Through a secured gully, over scree and ledges, we pass the foot of the Schwabenalpenkopf. In a right bend, route 11 continues eastwards, meets route 105 again, and leads to the Gwengalpenjoch. Through a rocky gully it climbs steeply onto a rock ridge and up to the notch at the prominent Toblinger Knoten. Finally, the last section descends to the Drei Zinnen Hut (2405 m).

Stage 3: Drei Zinnen Hut – Auronzo Hut

The next day is the western circumnavigation of the Three Peaks. We start on route No. 105 heading south. At the fork, we stay on this path, which leads right over rock-strewn meadows, then at the next fork left, and then switchbacks down to the Rienzboden. First steep, then gently over a plateau, it continues southwest to the Langealm. The Zinnen lakes appear below to the left. After passing a shoulder, we head south and cross to the Forcella del Col de Mezo. Over partly green slopes, it then goes southeast until we meet the asphalt road and soon arrive at the Auronzo Hut (2320 m).

Stage 4: Auronzo Hut – Fonda Savio Refuge

The fourth stage crosses the rugged Cadini di Misurina via the Sentiero Bonacossa. From the Auronzo Hut, route No. 117 leads on old war paths first south to the Forcella Longères, then uphill to the ridge of Monte Campedelle. In steep rocky terrain, we descend on its southeast flank. Through a tunnel, we reach the notch of Cima Cadin di Rinbianco. On a partly secured ledge, it goes into its east wall, under a rock overhang there. On the following trail, which leads down a steep slope on the left, we are careful. To the right, we enter a cleft from which we descend first by a ladder, then by a wire rope onto a ledge. This is partly secured and ultimately leads to the south ridge of Cima Cadin di Rinbianco. On the ridge, it climbs somewhat exposed and then descends into the Forcella di Rinbianco. We continue on route No. 117, which leads into the Vallon di Nevaio. The scree cirque we now ascend is bounded on the right by the mighty Torre Wundt. At the fork, we stay on route No. 117 to approach the Fonda Savio Refuge (2367 m). After ascending a scree slope, through a gully, and over narrow secured ledges, it comes into sight.

Stage 5: Fonda Savio Refuge – Città di Carpi Refuge

The next day, we follow the Sentiero Durissini along the east side of the central Cadini di Misurina. We first descend briefly on a familiar path, then follow route 112 B eastwards. At a memorial plaque, we pass through a gully, then around a ridge and into a hollow. Via switchbacks, we reach the Forcella della Torre. From there, we descend into the Cadin Deserto; a gully and a following exposed trail then lead to the Forcella Sabbiosa. There we already see our next intermediate goal, the Forcella Cadin Deserto. From there, it continues to the Forcella Cristina. Next comes another intermediate descent through a cleft and switchbacks into the scree cirque Cadin de le Pere. Shortly after, we leave route 112 B and cross to route No. 116, which climbs steeply to the notch of the Cime di Maraia. Over alpine meadows, we finally descend to the Città di Carpi Refuge (2110 m).

Stage 6: Città di Carpi Refuge – Vandelli Refuge

From the refuge, the sixth stage leads down to the junction in the Forcella Maraia, from where route 116/120 heads southwest to the Col del Viero. We hike slightly downhill westwards, at the next fork we keep left on route 116. At a right bend, it goes southwest, reaching a forest road. We follow it to the right into the forest, still on route 116. Through woods and meadows, we reach a drivable path and soon cross the SR 48 in Val d’Ansiei. From now on, we follow route No. 217 southwest into Val Bona, then into Val Sorapiss. From the valley station of the material cable car, we ascend to the "Piss" waterfall and then steeply and rather laboriously southwards. Finally, we reach the Sorapiss cirque and the Vandelli Refuge.

Stage 7: Vandelli Refuge – Comici Bivouac

This stage is one of the most demanding and requires climbing skills at difficulty level II. The most difficult and exposed passages are, however, well secured. Trail No. 243 first leads east, then north to the vertical west face of the Croda del Fogo. Iron ladders and wire cables secure the trail over ledge systems; a steep chimney, a gorge, several gullies, and rock steps must be crossed or climbed. We reach the north ridge of Croda del Fogo, descend from there over a steep slope into a hollow, and then further down over scree. At a shoulder, the path turns to the east side of the summit. Southwards, lastly over an airy drop, we descend to the Comici Bivouac.

Stage 8: Comici Bivouac – San Marco Refuge

The eighth stage is a rather long, strenuous tour through the east walls of the central Sorapiss group. From the bivouac, route No. 243 first leads into a hollow below the Croda del Banco. From there, it climbs steeply to the Forcella Bassa del Banco, then southwest to the "Scorcitoia" marking and left down to a narrow, airy ledge with secured and free climbing passages. After a short section over scree follows the demanding ledge of the Cengia inferiore die Colli Neri heading south. On route 247, it goes to the end of Val di San Vito. On route No. 226, it continues southwards towards Torre dei Sabbioni and Forcella Grande (2255 m). From there, we continue steeper down to the San Marco Refuge.

Stage 9: San Marco Refuge – Galassi Refuge

From the San Marco Refuge, a long traverse leads east. At the junction with route 229, it goes straight into a high valley, then in steep switchbacks to a fork. We choose the left variant and reach the Forcella Piccola, then in a right bend to the Galassi Refuge.

Stage 10: Galassi Refuge – Antelao Refuge

On this day, the crossing of the Antelao massif awaits us, the longest and one of the most demanding stages of the high route. From the refuge, it goes on trail 250 southwards towards the Antelao glacier. At the foot of the glacier begins the demanding trail "Via ferrata del Cadorin" (II), which leads to the Forcella del Ghiacciaio (2584 m). From there, it continues eastwards with some climbing sections (I), then steeply down south into the Valle Antelao. Route No. 250 then leads us over grassy slopes southeast until we meet No. 230 and follow it to the Forcella Piria. From there, it goes in easy terrain eastwards to the Antelao Refuge.

Stage 11: Antelao Refuge – Pieve di Cadore

The last section presents a pleasant descent into the Piave valley. We stay on route No. 250, which first leads east to the Forcella Antracisa. On route No. 252, it continues to Monte Trànego. From there, the descent proceeds in many switchbacks first to Pozzale and finally to Pieve di Cadore.