Alta Via n.1 - Day 6

From the Rifugio Città di Fiume, follow the comfortable mule-track marked 480 to the south, which will soon take you to the Forcella Foràda (Foràta, on the map), 1977m. Leave the mule-track, which continues north-east for the Val de Foràda, and go southwards, still on the 480, on the “Gino Flaibani Path, which allows you to cross, and thus also to “circumnavigate” the massif of the Pelmo. Go back on to the south-east and go up a steep gorge, follow sparse pastures at altitude and go down a little until you reach a grassy spur which originates from the Cima Foràda. On the right, the wild Circo di Val d’Arcia opens out; until just a few years ago it contained a small glacier. From here, you should climb up the unstable cirque (with a splendid view over the superb northern walls of the Pelmo) and a final effort will take you to the Forcella di Val d’Arcia, 2476m, a little window on the great Cadore area.

From the saddle, go down on the right, cross two imposing gravelly gorges and follow the good tracks to a large, clearly visible pass with a large rock spur. From the pass, descend diagonally down the huge stream of scree which comes down from the Forca Rossa, pass near the beginning of the Cengia di Ball (normal route for the peak of the Pelmo) and, continuing in a southerly direction, you reach the Rifugio Venezia “Albamaria De Luca”, 1946m.

The Rifugio Venezia is an excellent stop-off point for those who wish to extend by one day their Alta Via trip, or extend by a couple of hours the easy, amazing next stage. The hut is situated on a hill at the Sella (or Passo) di Ruturto, 1931m, in an enviable position that offers fabulous views over the nearby Cadore Dolomites and at the base of the superb north-east pillar of the Pelmo. Departure point for the Cengia di Ball and the peak of the Pelmo. Owned by the Venice Section of the CAI, the refuge was built in 1892 and renovated in 1954. Open from mid-June to mid-September, it offers basic, friendly hotel services. Sleeps 62, plus 10 in the winter shelter. Inside bathroom services with hot water and shower; lighting with generator and solar power system; CNSAS 118 Rescue station. Tel : +39 0436 9684, email: [email protected].

From the refuge a moderate climb southwards on path n.472 will soon take you to the Sella di Ruturto. From here, continue to the south-west, with an easy traverse under the imposing walls of the southern shoulder of the Pelmo until the Lac (Lach), where the Val de Cuna and the Costàuta meet at an altitude of c. 1968m. Now turn west, pass at the southern base of the imposing Pelmetto in the locality of Le Mandre, and you will come close to the Col delle Crepe Cavaliere, where path 472 continues for the Passo Staulanza. Take path 474 to the left, on marshy ground, which just afterwards turns decisively to the south-west and goes down the Val del Ru Bianco until it ends up onto the SS251 road at Palafavèra, 1507m (Pala Favera, on the map), where you can find a few hotels/mountain huts and a campsite.

The Rifugio Palafavèra is open from June to end-September and in the winter season; it has 25 beds and offers hotel services. Tel +39 0437 78 91 33 ; email: [email protected]; website: www.palafavera.com