To Rifugio Nuvolau

Description

From the car park at Passo Giau, take path 443: you can admire the jagged walls of Ra Gusela on your left, and the outlines of the Croda da Lago and Lastoi de Formin on your right. The path is varied, partly in the forest, partly in open spaces and with many viewpoints. In about an hour, the path ascends in steep zigzags over the Crépe dei Ronde and once you reach the summit, you will arrive at an open space from where you can catch a glimpse of the Cinque Torri mountain range. You can choose to walk past or keep to the left and go directly up to the Rifugio Scoiattoli. In both cases you will cross path 439, which must be followed to the Rifugio Scoiattoli at 2,255 m, which offers a magnificent view of the Cinque Torri. From here, continue following path 439 to Rifugio Averau, admiring the wide view of Cortina on the way up. From the Rifugio Averau, you can reach the Rifugio Nuvolau in less than an hour, again following path 439. The mountain hut, with its authentic and traditional atmosphere, is the first in the Valle d’Ampezzo: built in 1883 on the mountain of the same name at an altitude of 2,575 m, it offers a breathtaking panorama and a privileged 360-degree view of the Valle d’Ampezzo, the Cinque Torri below, as well as the Tofane and the Marmolada. The idea of building the hut came from General Meerheimb of Dresden who, after spending some time in Cortina to recover from a serious illness and being cured of it, decided to make a contribution to the Sezione del Club Alpino Tedesco e Austriaco for the construction of a hut, which was named in his honour Sachesendankhütte (Saxon Thanksgiving Mountain Hut). The building, initially small, was almost completely destroyed during the First World War, and was expanded when the mountain hut was rebuilt in 1930. Furthermore, with the passage of Cortina into Italy, the name of the mountain hut was changed to Rifugio Nuvolau. After letting your eyes linger on the charm and beauty of nature, you can return along the same path to Rifugio Averau and on the way down, admire the mountain of the same name towering behind you. This establishment is also a dining spot renowned for its excellent cuisine, and it also offers a splendid view on a large scenic terrace. From here, continue along path 464 towards the Rifugio Fedare, passing under the ski chairlift through the pastures and meadows of the Passo Giau, and at the junction with path 452 take the latter, which will take you back to the Passo Giau, following the base of Monte Nuvolau and the Gusela del Nuvolau. From here, high atop the Nuvolau, you can admire the mountain hut of the same name silhouetted against the horizon, which has been offering hospitality to hikers, mountaineers and mountain guides since 1883.