Part 1: Routes around Misurina

Photo Albums » Italy - Dolomites 2007 » Part 1: Routes around Misurina

Misurina, a small village tucked away in the mountains north of Cortina, was our first and last port of call. People come here to view one of the most famous sights in the Dolomites, Tre Cime di Lavadero, a trio of huge limestone towers.

Seeking a gentle introduction to via ferrate, we pointed the hire car north from Cortina and followed a switchback road over a pass to Misurina. Further up the valley, we parked and embarked on the Sentiero Bonacossa, a Grade 1A route which is mostly an airy walk. At this notch in the ridge, we had a half-obscured view of the Tre Cime de Lavadero.

First sight of Tre Cime.

In the opposite direction, a deep gorge-like valley dropped away to the distant town of Auronzo in the East. Although we wanted to explore further the late hour forced us to head back down an easier path to the car.

Auronzo from the Bonacossa path

Here's Jen near the end of our Sentiero Bonacossa walk. The mountains behind are the Cadini group, rising like a great impregnable Gothic castle, as so many of the Dolomite groups do.

Jen on the Sentiero Bonacossa

These mountains may only be small and insignificant in Dolomite terms, but their beautiful reflection in the still waters of the Lago de Antorno near Misurina tempted me to pull the car over and rummage for the camera!

Reflections in Lago de Antorno

We returned to Misurina on the last day of our holiday, this time in glorious weather. We bit the bullet and paid the 20 Euro toll to drive all the way up to the Rifugio Auronzo. Here, there's easy access to the Tre Cime and rich pickings for ferratists too. Jen is posing at a shoulder on the path directly below the Tre Cime.

Jen at Forcella Lavadero

We continued on a popular route, skirting along the edge of Monte Paterno where a helicopter rescue training exercise was keeping everybody interested, and down to the next hut, Rifugio Locatelli. Our ultimate goal was a via ferrata route on Torre Toblino, the right of the two peaks behind the hut.

Rifugio Locatelli

From Torre Toblino we gained a grand view all the way to the mountains of Austria to the north. A measure of the recent inclement weather was the sheer quantity of snow on their summits - it would seem that Austria had been hit quite badly by storms blown in from the north.

234 View North from Base of Toblino

Jen hanging onto a ladder as we ascend Torre Toblino by the VF Delle Scalette (Grade 3B). The summit of this mountain was an important Austrian observation post during the Mountain War, and to avoid Italian fire, soldiers used this route under cover of darkness to reach the summit. It's difficult enough in daylight!

Jen on VF Delle Scallette

So, our final summit conquered. The via ferrata here is short but very steep and unforgiving, consisting almost entirely of ladders (one of which overhangs!) Although it's merely a footnote in terms of Dolomite peaks, the views are absolutely stupendous.

Jen and Chris at the summit cross

Another view from the summit of Torre Toblino, this time looking east. The way down is also a via ferrata and begins just to my right, though it's not as technical as the route up.

Chris on the summit of Torre Toblino

Here I am lowering myself down Sentiero del Curato Militare Hosp - a bit of a mouthful for what is only a grade 2A ferrata. This would be a swift clamber if ascending, but going down it's always better to take a bit more care.

Chris lowering off Torre Toblino

Driving away from Misurina, I simply had to pull over and take this photo when I saw this view in my rear view mirror. The awesome Tre Cime di Lavadero, a mecca for climbers, photographers and tourists alike, dominate the village. The large building is one of Misurina's many hotels.

Misurina and Tre Cime