From the Cavallera Refuge to the Scarpa Gurekian Refuge
Route: medium-easy E approx. 200 m of ups and downs
Walking time: 3 hours without stops at medium pace.
Cartography; sheet 022 Tabacco Pale di San Martino
From Rifugio Cavallera, in just a few minutes along trail 720, you reach Bivacco Menegazzi. Leaving aside the ascent to Forcella delle Mughe on the left, continue to the right along trail 773, crossing the beautiful meadows of Pian Lonch until you reach the stream flowing down from Valle Sprit.
This is the only challenging section of the entire itinerary, as the Sprit stream reshapes its course each year through a very unstable scree slope, forcing hikers to descend a steep rocky section for about twenty meters to reach the stream itself, which can then be crossed easily.
After crossing the stream, the trail continues with gentle ups and downs and crosses several small streams cutting across the southern faces of Croda Granda, leading to Casera Camp. Staying on trail 773, continue to Col di Luna, where the panorama opens onto the majestic southern walls of Agner, with views extending as far as Moiazza and the Pale di San Sebastiano.
Attention: at Col di Luna it is essential to remain on trail 773 and not deviate onto the wrong path, either by following Coston di Luna to the left or, even worse, by taking trail 733, which descends to Forcella Aurine (note the possible confusion between trails 773 and 733).
From Col di Luna, continue along long, scenic traverses on grassy tracks and easy paths, overlooking from above the villages of Don di Gosaldo and Forcella Aurine. The route then passes through some wooded sections again; particularly picturesque is the area of Pian dei Cavai.
Before the last stretch out of the forest, the Rifugio Scarpa-Gurekian begins to come into view, towering on the top of its grassy hill. With a last little climb, you soon arrive at the Rifugio.
Return by the same route as the outward journey.
Possible detours:
- visit to Malga Luna: just after the junction with path 772 that descends to Frassenè is Malga Luna
- visit to the Tibetan temple, which can be reached along the Coston di Luna via a very steep ascent that should not be underestimated if the trail is wet (ask the refuge management for precise directions)
- visit to the Pissandol waterfall just before the ascent to Rif Scarpa you take a diversion indicated by a wooden sign indicating Pissandol, it is a seasonal waterfall, which after summer storms or in the thawing period covers a drop of a few metres.
From the Cereda Refuge to the Cavallera Refuge via the high path and return via Domadore
Challenging E route 800m D+ to be avoided in bad weather or on a slippery path.
Loop route
Walking time: about 6 hours at a steady pace.
Cartography; sheet 22 Tabacco Pale di San Martino From the Cereda Refuge, take the roadway which climbs up just behind the Refuge itself until you take path no. 718 (which corresponds for this stretch to the Alta Via route no. 2) until you reach the fork at the Forcella d'Oltro climb with path no. 777 (the fork is not very evident, pay attention). The route is fascinating, fun and very scenic (views of the Pavione and Piz de Sagron and the Conca Agordina) but challenging, especially the first part which is a steep climb (about 500m D+) that takes us immediately up to the fork for the Regade pass (which we leave on our left), then the path proceeds by slight ascents and descents and takes us over grassy traverses and a few stony stretches under the slopes of Monte Feltraio and then under the Rocchette (a few exposed stretches in the impluvium that should not be underestimated). From the junction with path no. 777, you lose altitude and come to a stretch of fir forest with a narrow but well-marked path to the meadows that separate Rifugio Cavallera from Bivacco Menegazzi, just a few more metres downhill to reach the Rifugio.
The return journey is along path 720 to Domadore, where the asphalt road descending to the left towards Faustin/Sarasin is left behind and the path continues to the right along grassy tracks marked with a red marker until it reaches the same carriageway (closed to traffic) that was used on the ascent to reach the start of path 718. Continuing along the cart road, you arrive in the vicinity of the Cereda refuge.
A scenic variant during the ascent could be to climb up to the Forcella d'Oltro (from the junction with trail no. 777 it is about 20 min uphill quickly) to admire the verticality of the Val Canali from the other side and then descend to trail no. 777 via the same route.
To the Rifugio Treviso - Val Canali via the Forcella d'Oltro and back thru the Forcella delle Mughe
EE route 1st grade difficult and demanding approx. 1200 m D+ (counting the ascent and descent from the two forks)
Walking time: about 6 hours at medium pace.
Cartography; sheet 22 Tabacco Pale di San Martino Attention: on some older topographic maps and on some very old signposts the Forcella delle Mughe is marked as Forcella delle Grave.
Loop route to be avoided in bad weather or in poor visibility conditions. (the descent from the forcella can become very difficult due to orientation problems)
The two passes (both at around 2300 m) are very impervious, and in the summit sections the Mughe forks have some first/second degree passages that should not be underestimated. Often the northern slopes of the forcelle still have snow on them until mid-June, (it is best to ask Rif. Cavallera or Rif. Treviso about the practicability of the route before venturing out without the necessary tools).
From Rif. Cavallera, go up along path no. 777 to the junction with path no. 718 where you take a right to the Forcella D'Oltro saddle. Once you have passed the saddle, paying attention to the slippery terrain, descend along the Alta Via route no. 2 and take another right, ignoring the junction with path no. 718 B (also indicated as Troi dei Todeschi) and you will arrive at the Rifugio Treviso along a traverse through mugo meadows and woodland.
From the Treviso Refuge, the return journey begins along path 720 to the Forcella delle Mughe saddle and then descend along path 720 (be careful to follow the signs that lead you to the right just below the saddle, if you are distracted you tend to proceed straight along the gully, which however just below becomes difficult). After about 500 m D- you arrive near the Bivacco Menegazzi bivouac and in a few steps you reach the Rif Cavallera.
A variant can be the short Via Ferrata del Canalone, which climbs from the Rif Treviso to a higher altitude, rejoining path 720 just above.
From Rifugio Cavallera to the summit of Croda Granda via the Scalette Pass and Via Normale
Climbing time: 4.00 hours
Entire route: 7.30 hours Height difference ascent: 1,650 m
EE 1st demanding and long route not to be underestimated and with some orientation problems below the Scalette pass
Cartography: Tabacco sheet 022 Pale di San Martino
The ascent starts from Rifugio Cavallera (1,680 m) along trail 720, which after a few minutes reaches Bivacco Menegazzi (1,737 m, often crowded on weekends).
The path climbs alongside a scree chute descending the slope, gaining about 200 meters of elevation up to a large boulder marked with old wooden arrows. At the boulder, leave to the left the route leading to a possible crossing of Forcella delle Mughe and instead continue to the right, crossing the scree bed on a steep ascent.
Keeping left, you reach the first rocky buttresses and follow their base, carefully spotting the continuation of the route (trail markers are sometimes quite far apart). Avoiding both the saddle above and an old variant of the trail descending from Forcella delle Mughe, traverse all the scree slopes to the right, following the few cairns and keeping close to the most accessible section of the rock face. This section is marked on maps as Passo delle Scalette.
The passage, well stepped and marked, overcomes a rocky step of about fifteen meters where hands are required and sure-footedness is essential, especially in the small final gully. Continue past the right side of Cima del Vani Alti onto a barren plateau, where you also intersect the trail passing through Forcella dei Vani Alti (2,519 m).
To the south, behind you, Sass da Camp now rises prominently, while the route continues along the opposite rocky shoulder beneath the Creste dei Vani Alti, eventually coming into view of Bivacco Reali. At last, you find yourself facing Croda Granda, which towers to your right beyond a deeply incised valley that must be crossed (the loss of elevation here should not be underestimated).
With caution, skirt the drop above Valle Sprit, descending along a good path over boulders deeply carved by erosion that support Bivacco Reali (a well-equipped and clean shelter with 6 sleeping places). Beyond the helicopter landing area, descend further following cairns that guide you through deep grooves and drops, indicating the easiest route toward Forcella Sprit (2,573 m).
Near the saddle, a faint track climbs diagonally to the right across a first snowfield (usually present until mid-June) and the overlying scree slopes. Cross a small water runnel (the only water source in the entire area, used only in emergencies by some) and climb an easy stepped corner up to a comfortable ledge (grade I). From here, enter the scree cone visible from the bivouac.
Choosing the most stable line through the loose debris, slightly to the left, aim for the upper notch that separates Croda Granda from Cima dei Róndoi. Staying below the ridge, climb parallel to it, gaining elevation quickly through a few lightly exposed sections of easy scrambling (grade I) and others that can be walked. A few final steep steps remain before the summit, following the green markings.
At the highest point (2,849 m), a small Madonna statue and the summit register welcome you.
Descent along the same path (approx. 3 ½ hours to Rif Cavallera), paying attention to the scree to the base of Forcella Sprit, which can be slippery on the descent.























