CIRCULAR TRAIL OF FRIULIAN DOLOMITES

Arrival at Rifugio Giaf (1.400 m)

Self-organised transfer to Forni di Sopra, a well-known tourist town situated at the foot of the splendid peaks of the Eastern Friulian Dolomites. Follow the main road towards the Mauria pass until you reach the hamlet of Chiandarens (962 m), from where a small tarmac road branches off to the left, signposted ‘Rifugio Giaf’. This road is accessible by car as far as the bridge over the Giaf stream. Park your car and continue on foot for about an hour, following the CAI 346 path as it winds its way through beech and spruce woods, until you reach the plateau where the hut is located. Already, on this first high-altitude evening, you will feel immersed in the magical atmosphere of the Dolomites, enjoying an unforgettable sense of tranquillity and serenity. Dinner and overnight at the hut.

From Rifugio Giaf to Rifugio Flaiban-Pacherini (1.587 m)

Today’s trek to Rifugio Flaiban-Pacherini follows the enchanting Truoi dai Sclops, the so-called path of gentians, a series of landscapes which highlight many of the most interesting characteristics of the Friulian Dolomites. Along the way, you can enjoy breathtaking views: the contrast of sharp white peaks against peaceful alpine meadows. This is the realm of ibexes, chamois and rare high-altitude flowers. This spectacular route passes through the Urtisiel saddle (1.985 m), over a wide plateau where we can find the Valmenon cheese factory, continuing to the Canpuros (a fairytale alpine meadow which in summer is transformed by blossom into a wonderful place to rest), past the Brica (2.076 m) and Inferno (2.176 m) saddles, before finally descending into the upper Suola Valley. Dinner and overnight at Rifugio Flaiban-Pacherini.

Dal Rifugio Flaiban-Pacherini al Rifugio Pordenone (1.249 m)

On your third day, you can choose between two equally exciting routes.

ROUTE A) The first option, which is a little longer, climbs up to the Suola pass, passing by the Rua Alta (2.144 m) and Pramaggiore saddles (2.295 m), and then goes down the opposite side before reaching the prairies of the upper slopes of the Inferno valley. From here, descending through the woods of the Postegae valley, you will reach the scree valley floor that flows into the wider Meluzzo valley and the final section of the Cimoliana valley.

ROUTE B) Alternatively, you have the option of climbing from Rifugio Flaiban-Pacherini to Passo del Mus (2.063 m) and descending into the beautiful Guerra valley, enclosed between the rugged walls of the surrounding peaks. After passing by a pleasant natural spring, you will rejoin option “a” in the Postegae valley, continuing on to the Meluzzo valley.

Both routes end at Rifugio Pordenone, which is located at the confluence of the Montanaia and Meluzzo valleys, and enjoys a spectacular setting on a wooded knoll in the Spalti di Toro – Monfalconi mountain group. Dinner and overnight at the hut.

From Rifugio Pordenone to Rifugio Padova (1.300 m)

This stage is demanding, but it rewards us with magnificent landscapes! The trek to Rifugio Padova passes through Montanaia valley via either the Montanaia saddle (2.334 m) or the Segnata saddle (2.250 m), passing by the foot of the extraordinary Campanile of the Montanaia valley, the “howl of stone” notorious among mountaineers all over Europe. Starting from Rifugio Pordenone, you will climb up the gravelly slopes of the Montanaia valley, reaching first the foot of the famous Campanile and then shelter Perugini (2.060 m). Continue climbing until you reach the Montanaia saddle and then descend the north side of the pass to the Val d’Arade below. Next, you will descend through the valley before reaching a splendid clearing at the foot of the Monfalconi and Spalti di Toro mountain chains, where you will find Rifugio Padova. (If you wish to avoid climbing the steep Montanaia saddle, you can take an alternative route by climbing up through the Val Monfalcon di Cimoliana and from there descending from Val d’Arade to the Monfalcon di Forni saddle ((2.292 m)). Dinner and overnight at the hut.

From Rifugio Padova to Rifugio Giaf and Forni di Sopra

The final day of the walk is shorter, allowing you to take your time as return home, in the spirit of the serenity that you have found, high up in the mountains. Leaving Rifugio Padova behind, you will climb through a beautiful Dolomite landscape up to the Scodovacca saddle (2.043 m), passing under the Ago and then under the Tacca del Cridola. Having reached the saddle, you will descend the wide Coston di Giaf valley down to the Rifugio Giaf, where you spent the first night. From here, it’s a short hike along the CAI 346 path back to the bridge over the Giaf stream, the starting and finishing point of this unforgettable trek through the wildest parts of the Dolomites.