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S. Vito di Bràies
Description of the walk
Day one
From the Lago di Bràies to the Rifugio Biella at the
Croda del Becco
Gradient: 900m in ascent, 60m in descent
Length: about 6 kilometres
Time required: 3,30 hours
Path: n.1
Difficulty: T and E
From the Hotel, take the little road to the south which goes
along the western edge of the romantic Lago di Bràies until the first
inlet, then go onto the convenient path marked n.1 which follows
the river bank until its most southerly point. From here begins a
climb which becomes increasingly steep and tiring along the valley
overlooked by the first spurs of the Croda del Becco. After going
up a basin thick with mugo pine trees you reach a narrow passage
created by two rocks, from where you go round the leap passing
to the left and then reaching the upper furrow.
After a wood you come to a concave clearing, go up an easy
rock plate and reach an area scattered with boulders where, if you
look carefully, you will see a small spring. Proceeding in zigzags
you will then reach the opening known as Porta sora’l Forn (or
Forcella Sora Forno-Ofenscarte), 2388m near a votive chapel.
Going down a little you come to the Rifugio Biella at the Croda
del Becco, 2327m, over which looms the huge sheer rock face of the
characteristic, extremely peculiar Croda del Becco, 2810m, easily
reachable along a fairly good path in the rock in about 1hr15 mins
from the refuge. Superb view from the top.
3,30 hours from the Lago di Bràies to the refuge.
16 FROM THE LAGO DI BRÀIES TO BELLUNO THE DOLOMITES “ALTA VIA” N.1 17