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List of forums / Italy / Dolomites / Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata

Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata

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Sabina Grahek24. 07. 2016 23:16:38
So we set off again to the fairy-tale Dolomites. As usual, the crowd of people is concentrated only in certain, more easily accessible places. As soon as you move a bit away from those, you find yourself alone with nature, with the rock, actually also alone with yourself. The starting point was Passo Tre Croci pass. There you are immediately captivated and enchanted by Cristallo mountain. But we headed to the opposite side, towards Sorapiss range --SORA PISS, meaning mountains above the waterfall. A nice and easy trail leads to Vandelli hut, one shorter part of the path is equipped. On the way we met a large group of scouts or campers and some were quite in trouble because they were not used to hiking in mountains. It was really interesting to listen to their whining..........Well, we reached the hut quite quickly. Immediately we went to the nearby lake which has unusual color as seen from pics. Some bolder ones even bathed. The lake is not very deep, so water cold but not icy. In the hut we reserved overnight and continued to the start of Vandelli ferrata, located 20 min above hut. First we had to climb six consecutive ladders, so we quickly gained height. Then the ferrata continues on exposed ledges, occasionally the path drops a bit down, then climbs up again and you reach Col del Fuoco ridge. This point is very scenic and was our goal. We could have continued to Comici bivouac and Slataper bivouac. There we would need to overnight and then continue on Berti ferrata to exit. Since the weather was unstable, we decided to sleep in the hut instead. The whole route under the sun, because the ferrata is in shade only in the morning hours and so on return, when we left the ferrata, we went to the upper small lake. As soon as you step in, you sink into mud and it was quite pleasant. Up here the water is much colder. On nearby colorful meadows flowers of all kinds. Then back to hut, walked around lake and waited for full moon which didn't show......and we nicely fell asleep before it.
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Passo Tre Croci, in the background Cristallo mountain1
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Nice path.2
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata At Vandelli hut3
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Sorapiss Lake4
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Towards the via ferrata5
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Start on ladders.6
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Quite a few of them.7
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 8
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 9
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 10
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Ridge Col di Fuoco and end of the ferrata.11
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata We all returned the same way.12
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata Immediately we wet our feet in the water.13
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 14
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 15
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 16
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 17
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 18
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 19
Sorapiss Mountains - Alfonso Vandelli Ferrata 20
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mirank25. 07. 2016 21:50:52
Look under ZS...
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bagi27. 08. 2024 14:21:59
The Sorapiss group has many beautiful peaks, but unfortunately inaccessible to us gravel-walkers. But it has many beautiful paths that crisscross the entire area. For a long time we've had a two-day traverse with overnight at San Marco hut on our wish list, but crowds of visitors book all beds months in advance. Maybe autumn will bring some change, even more so the end of vacations.

But even one day is long enough for a nice loop that doesn't just include the usual visit to Lago di Sorapiss. We started from the larger parking lot a bit below Passo Tre Croci and were amazed by numerous campervans and tents all the way to the lower station of the Son Forca cable car. Parkings are free, praiseworthy no trash anywhere. Along the scenic path 212 named DolomiEu we continued to Rif. Faloria hut and further to Rif. Tondi. From this hut some of the best views in the Dolomites nasmeh.

Continuing, the environment became high alpine. Along path 512 we climbed past Punta Nero to the pass Sora la Cengia del Banco, then down the steep gully to the opposite side. Pegs and cables help, but there are many scree-covered ledges. Past the Chiaccaiao Occidentale glacier we descended towards the turquoise Lago Sorapiss, crowded with visitors. But the weather decided to spice things up. Suddenly it got heavily overcast and thunder started in the distance. Everyone rushed towards the hut, including us. It poured like from a bucket, but we were already safe. We managed to push into the hut just in time, based on proper experience of course velik nasmeh.

After a good hour of rain the weather calmed and all hundreds of people started pouring down the valley at once. Incredible and unforgettable. We activated all our knowledge and overtook left, right, below and above. Mostly tourists, far fewer real hikers. Without the overtaking program we'd surely return to the start an hour later. At the end the sun shone full force from endless blue sky again. Great tour nasmeh.

Coordinates of start (below Tre Croci pass): 46.556043, 12.198534
We park at a larger free parking lot just below Passo Tre Croci pass1
Descending towards Son Forca cable car. Tents everywhere, photo shows Romanian camp :)2
Here we turn left onto cycle path and hiking trail 212 simultaneously. Gravel road follows3
From it soon branches scenic and very comfortable DolomiEU path, still marked 2124
Gently graded through high forest. Much better choice for hikers than cycle path5
At one of the viewpoints …6
We skip the first hut Rif. Faloria, we will stop higher at the next one.7
The views are fantastic, we didn't expect anything like this at all :)8
At the hut Rif. Tondi the house owner greets us :). Here we treat ourselves to a morning coffee9
We continue along the ridge across Monte Falorio10
We stick to the upper path all the way to the saddle Forcella Faloria, where the lower one also joins11
This path has marking 223, it is not too demanding, one just needs to be careful at some places12
The surface is in fact sandy and water quickly washes it away. Therefore bridges are placed in some places13
We are already biting into the steep slope. This is a view back to Monte Falorio14
This however is the view of the continuation. We will walk a long time to the saddle15
Especially because of such screes …16
And such passages …17
And despite all obstacles we progress well and soon reach the section we saw from the Faloria saddle.18
A strong left turn and soon we are at the next saddle Forcella Sora la Cengia del Banco.19
Here we look to the other side and right away the pearl among lakes sparkles in the distance … Lago del Sorapiss.20
But first we must descend deep into the valley along the crowded ledges.21
On the more difficult spots, the steel cables also help.22
There are many smooth rocks and in places fixed logs help.23
Humility comes in handy too :)24
We are already much lower, but the descent is far from over.25
Many blowdown areas are completely unprotected.26
Finally we are in the valley. On the photo you can see well how numerous cloudbursts have furrowed the screes.27
On the right side a small surprise follows, a real glacier :)28
The landscape was shaped long ago by unimaginable forces. On the photo is probably the skeleton of a sea monster :)29
We are approaching the pearl …30
Another view of the glacier and numerous crevices. The lake owes its special color to it and the underground streams.31
On the final descent thunder begins to accompany us and the sky quickly darkens.32
The first drops appear and tourists come rushing from everywhere.33
Whole crowds head towards the nearby hut, the rain becoming ever more intense.34
Both have umbrellas, so we reach shelter still relatively dry. It is already full of people, but we manage to get into the hut.35
After a good hour of heavy rain and thunder the weather finally calms. Everyone rushes outside, but we still wait.36
Above all, we are interested in the weather front's decision on which direction it will take.37
Soon hundreds start descending. We must use all our knowledge to somehow push past the numerous38
There is neither beginning nor end. On top of that the path is soaked from rain and everything proceeds more snaily39
Group washing of footwear by the stream :)40
At Tre Croci pass it's clear as if no raindrop had fallen :). Just a bit more and we'll be at the start41
Followed only by transport to the nearby parking well hidden from tourists. Only the two of us will overnight here :)42
View from the bed :)43
GPS track of the traversed path. 18 km and 1300 elevation gain accumulated44
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