Malga Ciapela - Rifugio Onorio Falier

Access to starting point:
A) First, we drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo (to here it is possible over the border crossing Rateče or Predel to Trbiž / Tarvisio and then on the highway in the direction of Vidma / Udine to the exit Tolmezzo. From Tolmezzo we follow the road in the direction of the village Ampezzo and mountain pass Passo della Mauria. The road then descends and brings us to a crossroad, where we continue left (possible also right) in the direction of Cortina d'Ampezzo. At all next crossroads, we follow the signs for Cortina d'Ampezzo and then we follow the signs for the alpine pass Passo di Falzarego. Already in the first part of the ascent towards the pass Falzarego we will get to a crossroad, where signs for the pass Passo di Giau (2233 m) and Marmolada point us to the left. The road behind the pass Giau starts descending, and we follow it through the settlements in the lower part in the direction of Marmolada or pass Passo di Fedaia. We then follow the road towards the pass Passo di Fedaia to the crossroad a little before the bottom station of the cable car. Here we turn left onto a narrow asphalt road towards the mountain pasture Malga Ciapela. The road then leads us past the camp and tourist farm Malga Ciapela. Only a little after the farm the asphalt road ends. Here we park on one of the parking lots by the road.
B) Access from Primorska: We drive on the highway in the direction of Padova, but only to the highway junction, where we continue in the direction of the region Veneto and Belluno. Near Belluno the highway ends, and we follow the road ahead in the direction of the town Belluno, where at the larger crossroad we continue right in the direction of the town Agordo. From the mentioned town onwards we follow the frequent signs for Marmolada or pass Passo di Fedaia. We then follow the road towards the pass Passo di Fedaia to the crossroad a little before the bottom station of the cable car. Here we turn left onto a narrow asphalt road towards the mountain pasture Malga Ciapela. The road then leads us past the camp and tourist farm Malga Ciapela. Only a little after the farm the asphalt road ends. Here we park on one of the parking lots by the road.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we head onto the macadam road, which is further closed to traffic. First, we cross the bridge and then the road brings us to a marked junction.
To the left, the footpath branches off towards the saddle Passo di Forca Rossa, while we continue right on the macadam road, which ascends more steeply. Soon we come to another junction. This time we turn right into the forest on the footpath towards the mountain pasture Malga Ombretta and hut Falier. Further on the road and later on the mule track there is also another somewhat less steep path towards the same mountain pasture.
From the junction, the footpath starts to ascend more steeply and occasionally a nice view opens up from the path onto the nearby peaks. The path then turns slightly to the right and crosses a steep slope in the ascent. The path on this section is not demanding as it is secured with a fence, and steps also assist us. The slope becomes less steep again and from the path a view opens towards a smaller dam by the path. The path continues ascending through the forest and later crosses a mule track. The path becomes somewhat less steep and soon brings us out of the forest onto the panoramic mountain pasture Malga Ombretta, where there is also a smaller hut.
From the hut, we continue on the path, which runs across pastures towards the west. Further on, the path turns slightly to the right so that it runs along the right side of the valley. The path then leads us across a short stretch of forest and only a short ascent remains to the hut Rifugio Failer, which is located below the slopes of the peak Cima Obretta.

On the way: Malga Ombretta (1904m)

Trip can be extended to: Bivacco Dal Bianco (2 h) , Cima Ombretta di Mezzo (2 h 45 min) , Cima Ombretta (3 h) , Punta Penia (Marmolada) (4 h 30 min)