Rifugio Scoiattoli - Averau

Access to starting point:
A) From Kranjska Gora over Korensko sedlo to Austria, where at the first larger intersection we continue left towards Podklošter / Arnoldstein and Trbiž / Tarvisio. At the end of the settlement Podklošter signs for Šmohor / Hermagor direct us right onto a regional road, along which past the mentioned settlement we drive to the end of the Gailtal valley, or more precisely to the settlement Kötschach-Mauthen, where we turn right towards the settlement Oberdrauburg. The route ahead leads us over the Alpine pass Gailbergsattel (982 m), after which we descend into the mentioned settlement. After crossing the bridge over the river Drau, we continue left towards the settlement Lienz. In the main roundabout in Lienz we continue "left" in the direction of the settlement Sillian and Italy. Further on, we cross the state border between Austria and Italy, following the main road to the settlement Dobbiaco / Toblach, where we turn left towards Cortina d'Ampezzo. When we arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, we follow the signs for the Alpine pass Passo Falzarego. The road above Cortina d'Ampezzo begins to ascend more steeply, and we follow it for quite some time, more precisely to the spot where, just before a sharp right turn, a road branches off to the left, quickly taking us to the large parking lot at the hut Rifugio Bai de Dones. Next, we buy a ticket and take the four-seater chairlift to the hut Rifugio Scoiattoli. From Kranjska Gora to the starting point is 208 km.
B) From Kranjska Gora over the border crossing Rateče to Trbiž / Tarvisio and further along the motorway towards Udine. We leave the motorway at Tolmezzo, from where we continue driving towards Ampezzo and then towards the Alpine pass Passo della Mauria (1298 m). The road then begins to descend, bringing us into the Cadore valley, where we continue right towards Auronzo di Cadore. At the following intersections we follow the signs for Cortina d'Ampezzo. When we arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, we follow the signs for the Alpine pass Passo Falzarego. The road above Cortina d'Ampezzo begins to ascend more steeply, and we follow it for quite some time, more precisely to the spot where, just before a sharp right turn, a road branches off to the left, quickly taking us to the large parking lot at the hut Rifugio Bai de Dones. Next, we buy a ticket and take the four-seater chairlift to the hut Rifugio Scoiattoli. From Kranjska Gora to the starting point is 198 km.
C) From Nova Gorica we drive into Italy and continue along the motorway to Portogruaro, where at the motorway junction we turn in the direction of Belluno. We follow the motorway to its end (we do not turn towards Belluno), then continue driving towards Cortina d'Ampezzo. When we arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, we follow the signs for the Alpine pass Passo Falzarego. The road above Cortina d'Ampezzo begins to ascend more steeply, and we follow it for quite some time, more precisely to the spot where, just before a sharp right turn, a road branches off to the left, quickly taking us to the large parking lot at the hut Rifugio Bai de Dones. Next, we buy a ticket and take the four-seater chairlift to the hut Rifugio Scoiattoli. From the border crossing to the starting point is approximately 230 km.

Path description:
From the hut Rifugio Scoiattoli, from which there is a nice view of Cinque Torri, we turn right following the signs for Rifugio Nuvolau and Rifugio Averau. The path ahead leads along a stony road, or the much more pleasant parallel mountain path for walking, which ascends on the left side of the road. After about 20 minutes of moderate ascent over a scenic slope that is initially also grassy, the trail splits into two parts (the junction is unmarked).
The left path, which continues moderately steeply towards Nuvolau, we skip; we continue on the right path, which rejoins the aforementioned road. We continue along the road, which brings us into a small valley between the peaks Nuvolau and Averau, continuing along it to the saddle between both mentioned peaks, where the mountain hut Averau stands.
From the hut we continue right along the mountain road. Already after a few meters, the inscription »Ferrata Averau« directs us left upward. The path first crosses scree on the eastern side of the mountain and soon turns left into the climbing section of the path. At the start of the climbing path we ascend steeply along the cable over a steep wall, then reach a path junction. The left slightly easier path ascends vertically on pegs through a chimney. The right path ascends almost vertically too, but without pegs. Note that the left path is often damp and snow persists somewhat longer. After a short steep section both paths reunite and a traverse to the right secured by a cable follows. The climbing section ends quickly and we soon reach the less steep summit slopes of the mountain. In the final part the path is no longer demanding and we soon reach the very panoramic summit.
Rifugio Scoiattoli - Rifugio Averau 30 minutes, Rifugio Averau - Averau 45 minutes.

On the way: Rifugio Averau (2413m)