Alta Via N.1 – Stage 5

Variants

From the Rifugio Nuvolàu, a few metres take you to the south-eastern edge of the summit esplanade, where you immediately descend a rocky drop with the help of a ladder and some metal ropes (use of a via ferrata kit is recommended). The path that follows is 438 and leads to a valley strewn with grooved slabs from which one briefly ascends to a ridge fork that leads to a gully that descends towards the Giàu. The gully is crossed by a path that unravels between easy overhanging sections (less experienced hikers should exercise extra caution) and is also equipped with some fixed ropes at the bottom. Finally, the path leads to the left, to the top of a steep grassy ridge parallel to the gully, which you descend in narrow zigzags. At the bottom, you’ll touch the gully again, which you immediately leave to take a convenient path that leads between the boulders and then over the pastureland to the hump that descends quietly to the Passo Giàu, at a height of 2,236 m, where you’ll find an excellent hotel and restaurant. At the Passo Giàu, take path 436 that crosses the vast meadow and leads to the Forcella di Zonia and then to a valley to the west of Col Piombìn up to the fork of the same name, at 2,239 metres. Beyond this, cross over to enter the wild Val Cernèra, which you’ll follow to the east. A final, easy zigzag ascent leads to the broad Forcella Giàu, at 2,360 m, visible from the Passo Giàu and from where you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the Lastói di Formìn, the mighty base of the Croda da Lago, and the pockmarked pastureland that stretches as far as Forcella Ambrizzòla. Passing under the vertical dolomite walls of the Lastói, you’ll pass about fifty metres above the limpid Lago delle Baste, at 2,281 m, and then a short distance from the Mesolithic site of Mondevàl (worth a visit as it’s very evocative) and the nearby Casèra di Mondevàl di sopra, at 2,158 m, where there is a modest possibility of shelter if required. If you stay at altitude, that is, if you have not descended to the site and the casèra, you must continue eastwards on path 436 up a little and then reach the Forcella Ambrizzòla, at 2,277 m. If, on the other hand, you start out from the casèra and then from the site, cross the pastureland, first south-eastwards, then north-eastwards on path 466, which also leads to the same fork. From the Forcella Ambrizzòla, continue south, almost at altitude, on path 436 that soon passes the Forcella Col Duro, at 2,293 m, from which you’ll descend among boulders, then across pastures, towards the Casèra Prendèra, at 2,148 metres. Here path 436 heads east and, having passed under the four peaks of the Rocchetta, descends to San Vito di Cadore. Take the south-eastern path 458 that goes to the Forcella de Col Roàn, at 2,075 metres, and then to the Forcella Roàn, at 1,999 metres. After passing a wooded ridge, it reaches a pastureland plateau where the Forcella de la Puìna (meaning "rice") is located at 2,034 m. From here it comfortably continues south-west until it reaches the Rifugio Città di Fiume, at 1,918 m. Owned by the Rijeka Section of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), the Rifugio Città di Fiume arose from the renovation of the Durona mountain cottage in 1964. Open from mid-June to the end of September, it serves as a small hotel with 22 beds. Electricity from the grid. Hot water and shower available. Indoor toilets available. Winter room with 5 beds. CNSAS "118" Rescue Station Mountain hut telephone number: +39 0437 72 02 68. Mobile: 320 0377432. Email: [email protected]