Hight Route n.5

Route: from Sesto di Pusteria to Pieve di Cadore
Stage number: 7
Lenght: 100 km
Medium duration: 10 days
Difficulty: medium

It has been dedicated to the great artist Titian, who drew inspiration from the Marmarole to enrich the background of his pictures. And it is exactly on the Marmarole that a part of High Route n. 5 unwinds.

On the Croda dei Toni and on the Antelao the route follows trails that are not particularly difficult for a trained hiker and that are always well equipped in case of dangerous passages.
Instead, however extraordinary and unique, the Marmarole present greater difficulty given by isolation, great difference in height and fog.

"Titian’s High Route", from Sesto in Pusteria to Pieve di Cadore, can be divided into 3 parts, which corresponds to the main mountain groups you cross: first part, Croda dei Tòni and the Popèra; second part, the Marmaròle; third part, the Antelao.

Rifugio Zsigmondy Comici - Rifugio Giosuè Carducci
Three hours and a half walk.
From Sesto (1316 mt) reach by car, (towards San Giuseppe di Moso), Campo Fiscallino (Dolomitenhof - 1454 m). Leave the car and enter the dirt road to Capanna di Fondovalle (Talschlusshütte - 1548m) and, (following the path n. 103), reach Rifugio Zsigmondy Comici (2224 m), at the foot of the northern wall of the Croda dei Toni (Zwölferkofel) and the eastern slope of the Cima Undici (Elferkofel).
Walk along the Lago Ghiacciato, through the scree of the Croda dei Toni, and reach the Rifugio Giosuè Carducci where, in summer it is possible to overnight (34 beds - booking recommended)

For those who desire to stay in on of the two rifugios of this stage, the excursions to Croda dei Tòni Tour (height hours and a half, starting point and arrival Rifugo Zsigmondy Comici) and the Pòpera Tour (13 hours, with overnight possibility at Rifugio al Popèra-Antonio Berti -booking recommended- or at Rifugio Selvapiana-Italo Lunelli; starting point and arrival at Rifugo Zsigmondy Comici or Rifugio Giosuè Carducci)

Rifugio Giosuè Carducci - Ponte da Rin in Val Ansièi
Three hours walk. If you want to reach Rifugio Ciareìdo it will take eight hours and a half.
This easy stretch allows to visit the nice town of Auronzo di Cadore. Here several structures can offers many overnight possibilities.
The more trained hikers can link the second o the third stage and reach Rifugio Ciarèido or Rifugio Baiòn-Boni (eight hours and a half from Rifugio Carducci).

Ponte da Rin in Val Ansièi - Rifugio Ciarèido o Rifugio Baion-Boni
Five hours and a half walk.
Majestic panorama on the eastern Dolomites and on those beyond Val d'Ansièi.
Interesting excursions to the Rifugi per il Monte Agùdo.

Rifugio Ciarèido o Rifugio Baion-Boni - Bivacco Rifugio Tiziano
Six hours and a half walk.
In this stage the ferrata "Sentiero degli Alpini" is included (excellently restored ex-novo by the Alpine guides in 1989), and made by a series of metal ropes which lead the excursionist, without any particular difficulties to forcella Giau de la Tana (2650 m). Majestic panorama on the Popèra, Cadìni and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Also in this stage, expert Alpine guides can suggest many interesting excursions.

Bivacco Rifugio Tiziano - Bivacco Musatti - Bivacco Voltolìna
This stage takes nine hours walk and is proposed in only one stage. However excursionists can divide it as they like it, considering the bivouacs availability too.

Bivacco Voltolìna - Rifugio San Marco - Rifugio Galassi
Four hours and a half walk.
This stage sees an increasing exposure, but the path is good and well equipped in the most binding stretches. Metal ropes and short equipped stretches (often covered with snow) requires a minimum mountaineering experience.
Alpine guides, very often give changes which allow to reach the rifugios San Marco and Galassi skipping the Cèngia del Doge.
From Rifugio Galassi it is then possible to reach, through a not difficult but long route, the Antelao peak (3264 m). The climb is recommended, but it takes a whole day.

Rifugio Galassi - Rifugio Antelao - Pieve di Cadore
Seven hours and a half walk.
Interesting and not tiring excursion which allow to plunge in the heart of the Dolomites.