Easy
3 h
Passo Giau
Passo Giau
A route that’s suitable for beginners and families, which will take you directly to the Rifugio Nuvolau, the first built in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area in 1883. Here you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the Conca Ampezzana at 2,575 m. The route starts and ends at Passo Giau, through an easy path that’s slightly exposed only in a few points. Throughout the route you’ll enjoy wonderful views of the Dolomites.
Once you reach Passo Giau, which can be reached by car or bus, take path 452 behind the Ristorante Berghotel at Passo Giau, and continue until the first crossroads. Here take path 443 towards the Cinque Torri. Continue along the path until the fork and take path 438, which goes up to the left and will take you directly to the fork, at the start of the via ferrata. Once you arrive, you’ll find the metal rope that will guide you along the equipped path. Initially the ledge is wide and there are no significant difficulties. Continue along the path and then the climb along the wall will begin until you reach the gully. In a few minutes you’ll arrive at a magical plateau with an almost lunar landscape from which you can see the Rifugio Nuvolau high up in front of you. Following the path, you’ll reach the opposite side where you’ll climb the wall to the Rifugio Nuvolau.
The view from the top is incredible: you can admire the Dolomite peaks in 360 degrees, from the Cinque Torri to the Tofane, Croda da Lago to the Marmolada. The view is always spectacular and unique, making the mountain hut one of the most interesting and grandiose points of the Valle d’Ampezzo.
To return, take path 439 to the Rifugio Averau. From there, take path 464 towards Rifugio Fedare and, at the first fork, after a series of bends, take path 452 to Passo Giau.
Malga Giau, Ristorante Passo Giau, Rifugio Fedare, Rifugio Nuvolau, Rifugio Averau
Once you reach the plateau from where you can see Rifugio Nuvolau, just before taking the last stretch of the via ferrata to reach Monte Nuvolau, you can also reach the summit of Ra Gusela with a short detour: in this way, you’ll be able to reach two peaks instead of one. In this case, at the crossroads that leads to Nuvolau you’ll have to go left instead of going up to the right. In about 15 minutes you’ll reach the summit of Ra Gusela at 2,595 m, from which you can admire the enchanting Passo Giau from above. At this point, retrace your steps to the crossroads and continue the route.
Head Office: Loc. Sacus 4, 32043 Cortina d’Ampezzo (BL) – P.I. 00806650255 | Privacy Policy – Cookie Policy
Cortina Marketing is the Official Tourism Board for promotion, communication and territorial marketing of the Queen of the Dolomites. It is part of the Società Servizi Ampezzo Unipersonale Srl, a subsidiary of the Municipality of Cortina d’Ampezzo.