Malga Federa and ladin village

Description

From Cortina bus station take the cycle path towards of San Vito di Cadore/Venice and continue for about 4 km until you reach the typical Ladin village of Zuel, part of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Here, at the intersection with the main road, turn right towards Socus, continue to the next village of Campo di Sotto and follow the state road alongside Camping Dolomiti until the crossroads where you’ll find the sign for Lago di Pianozes, Rifugio Croda da Lago. Turn left and take the paved road which, along a challenging and long climb in the middle of the woods, leads to the splendid Malga Federa. The mountain cottage is located in an enchanting place, in the middle of a clearing surrounded by woods and mountains, with a splendid view of the Valle d’Ampezzo: Croda da Lago and Becco di Mezzodì on one side, Pomagagnon, Cristallo and Faloria on the other. Here you will see cows, donkeys and horses grazing and you can stop to taste some delicious local dishes. From here, the most experienced hikers can continue to the Rifugio Croda da Lago. The stretch has very steep sections, which on the way back become challenging descents suitable only for the most experienced hikers. Alternatively, you can leave your bike at the cottage and continue on foot for about 45 minutes to Lago Federa: the view it offers will make your efforts worthwhile. For the return, take the road you took on the outward journey to the intersection with the state road and continue straight on until you see the intersection for the town of Campo. From here, turn left and cross the typical Ladin village until you find a dirt road, known as the road of the former armoury, and follow it until you reach the parking lot located under the cemetery of Cortina. Turn right in the direction of the Chiesa della Difesa, turn right again and continue towards San Vito di Cadore/Venezia for about 500 m until the intersection of Via Roma and Via Faloria. Here take Via Faloria to the intersection with the cycle path and go left until you return to the starting point.