Val Orita Hike

Description

Ascend to Rifugio Faloria, which can be reached by cable car from the centre of Cortina. Once at the mountain hut, you can admire the entire Valle d’Ampezzo from above and enjoy a perfect view of the Tofane, the ski area that hosts the Alpine Ski World Cup races, the splendid Pomagagnon and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. From the mountain hut, ascend in the direction of the Rifugio Capanna Tondi along the mule track marked 213 to the junction with path 214, near the Rifugio Capanna Tondi, from where you can admire not only the entire Valle d’Ampezzo but also the Punta Nera and Sorapis mountains and the Val Orita from above. The valley, already known to Paul Grohmann, is filled with gravel and debris and lies at the base of the Croda Rota, part of the Sorapis Group, and in winter offers a fantastic descent for freeriders. According to legend, the area is inhabited by the God Silvanus, the painter of Faloria, the twenty-seven little elves of Ranpognei and other creatures that inhabit the forests in this area. From the crossroads, take path 214 and descend through the Val Orita, along a little-used path through the mountain pines, which offers unprecedented views and sometimes the chance to catch a glimpse of some wild animals. At the end of the steep descent and long diagonal, the path enters the forest and soon reaches Baita Fraina via a convenient mule track. From Baita Fraina, descend along the village of Cojana to the Ex-Railway footpath and from here you can reach the centre on foot in half an hour.