THE ROCK PARADISE

Mount Pelmo view at sunset from Paso Staulanza

THE ROCK PARADISE. There are not 3 words that could better define this wonderful mountain range of Northern Italy: The Dolomites. Only one image would be needed to recognize its breathtaking landscapes of green wide valleys and vertical rock walls rising hundreds of meters ripping the sky in spires, towers and amazingly huge rock blocks.

This post is thought to show you a little more about these mountains that cover 5 Italian provinces and that under my opinion is an incomparable natural sight. No one remains indifferent after admiring the beauty of this land.

beautiful view of the ambrizzola with lake and green forest from croda da lago
south-west face of mount pelmo with coldai hut on image
view of tofana di rozes from cinque torri hiking trail
hiking trail that borders lake federa croda da lago
the tre cime di lavaredo from the hiking trail that sorrounds them
sun lights Mount Pelmo on very cloudy afternoon
hiking trail in the woods at val travenanzes

Lovers of rock climbing cannot skip this destination. It is absolutely imperative at least once in a lifetime. There are countless climbing routes in the different massifs, endless possibilities depending on the grade and the area you want to visit. Among all the options, I want to share with you a few classic, beautiful, enjoyable routes that I cannot pass without dedicating a section.

CINQUE DITTA

Spigolo del Pollice a PUNTA DELLE CINQUE DITA (2998m), SASSOLUNGO GROUP.
    Access from Toni Demetz Hut: 5’
      Descent: long, 1h30 abseiling and scrambling down
        Lenght: 250m
          Hours: 2
            Grade: IV

view of le cinque dita from hiking trail up to toni demetz hut
climbing the magnificient spigolo del pollice
horizon from summit of punta delle cinque dita

PRIMO SPIGOLO

    Primo Spigolo a TOFANA DI ROZES (3225m), TOFANA GROUP
      Access from Dibona hut: 35’
        Descent: hike down back to the hut 1h
          Lenght: 500m
            Hours: 4-5
              Grade: V+

perfect view of the primo spigolo tofana di rozes on a wonderful blue sky day
climbing the primo spigolo to tofana di rozes
amazing view from end of primo spigolo
descent of tofana di rozes

PUNTA EMMA

    Via Steger a PUNTA EMMA (2617m), CATINACCIO GROUP.
      Access from Vajolet Hut: 15’
        Descent: abseiling to the Forcella 30’ + hike down back to the hut 40’
          Lenght:
            Hours: 3
              Grade: V,V+

view of punta emma from hiking trail to vajolet hut
climbing step on steger route punta emma
view of the hiking trail from gardeccia hut to vajolet hut from the wall of punta emma
descent of steger route at punta emma

CAMPANILE

    Via Normale a CAMPANILE DI VAL MONTANAIA (2173m), SPALTI DI TORO GROUP.
      Access from Pordenone Hut: 2h15
        Descent: abseiling and scrambling down: 1h30 to the hiking trail + 1h back to the hut.
          Lenght: 300m
            Hours: 3,5
              Grade: IV

view of the campanile di val montanaia from perdenone hut
climbing the normal route to campanile di val montanaia
view of spalti di toro group from campanile di val montanaia summit
abseiling descent wall of camapnile di val montanaia

SPIZ DI MEZZO

    Spigolo Gianeselli a SPIZ DI MEZZO (2324m), BOSCONERO AND MEZZODI GROUP.
      Access from Carnielli Bivouac hut: 15’
        Descent: 1h30 abseiling and scrambling down to bivouac
          Lenght: 400m
            Hours: 5-6
              Grade: VI-

spiz di mezzo getting dark
sunrise at bivouac carnielli in the bosconero and mezzodi group dolomites
climbing spigolo gianeselli on spiz di mezzo
aerial traverse at the wall of spiz di mezzo

CIMA GRANDE

    Via Normale a CIMA GRANDE DI LAVAREDO (2999m) TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO GROUP.
      Access from Lavaredo Hut: 20’
        Descent: 2h30 abseiling and scrambling down
          Lenght: 670m
            Hours: 3
              Grade: III

pointing the cima grande at the tre cime di lavaredo
dolomites landscape from the normal route of the cima grande di lavaredo
rainbow view at the valley during climb at normal route to the cima grande di lavaredo
view from the cima grande di lavaredo