The Lake Lagazuoi – Rifugio Scotoni circuit hike in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park is a enjoyable half-day tour for hikers primarily based in Alta Badia.
I significantly love the ascent to Col de Locia, the rugged descent from Forcela dl Lech to Lech de Lagació, and naturally the chance to eat lunch at Scotoni Hütte.
The path overlaps with the favored Alta By way of 1 lengthy distance path, so that specific stretch is usually a bit extra crowded. Nonetheless, it didn’t detract from my expertise.
Trailhead: Capanna Alpina, San Cassiano | Google Maps
Distance: 10 km circuit
Time Wanted: This hike took me 4:30 hours with lunch & breaks
Elevation Acquire/Loss: 762 meters
Issue: Reasonable
Lowest Level: 1724 meters
Highest Level: 2486 meters
Route: Capanna Alpina – Col de Locia – Forcella di Lago (Forcela dl Lech) – Lagazuoi Lake – Scotoni Hut – Cappana Alpina
The place to Keep in San Cassiano: Ciasa Milandura (3-star flats), Lodge Steinrösl (3-star resort), Plang Farmhouse (3-star B&B), Lagacio Mountain Residence (4-star aparthotel), Lodge Diamant (4-star resort)
Beneficial Itinerary: 10-14 Day Dolomites Itinerary
Capanna Alpina – Lake Lagazuoi – Rifugio Scotoni Mountaineering Map
Important Path Data
The best way to Get to Capanna Alpina | Drive to the Capanna Alpina pay-on-exit automobile park (10 EUR per day), an 8-minute drive from San Cassiano. Alternatively, you possibly can experience the bus to the Sciaré bus cease (Google Maps). From right here, stroll 1.7 km (half-hour) to the Capanna Alpina trailhead, wrapping across the Tenting Sass Dlacia property.
Mountaineering Season | June to mid/late October, relying on snow situations.
Path Course | I like to recommend climbing the loop clockwise so that you just attain Rifugio Scotoni in the direction of the tip of the hike, simply in time for lunch.
Issue | Reasonable in dry situations
Path Variations | It’s additionally potential to hike to Rifugio Scotoni out-and-back.
The place to Eat | Rifugio Scotoni
Accountable Mountaineering | This path is situated throughout the UNESCO World Heritage Web site Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, a protected nature park. Wild tenting and flying drones is forbidden.
Lake Lagazuoi Path Description
After passing the Capanna Alpina hut (1720 m) and public bathroom amenities, you’ll attain a junction. Bear left on path 11 within the route of Col de Locia (2069 m).
After a flat stretch, the stone-pine-flanked path steadily ascends, hugging the northern flank of Piza dl Lech, to succeed in Col de Locia (1:10 hours). Move by means of the gate to crest Col de Locia, gateway to a excessive valley often called Grande Piano (Le Gran Plan), a part of the Fanes Alp.
The path undulates throughout the excessive valley, following a stream. Once you attain the subsequent junction, make a pointy proper onto path 20B to Lake Lagazuoi, signed 1:30 hours, following the Alta By way of 1.
After about 20 minutes, the path brings you to a lookout level, the place you possibly can see Marmolada within the distance. Instantly after, the path narrows. There are a number of uncovered steps throughout the damaged path the place further warning is required.
The path continues to steadily ascend throughout the free rocky terrain, with out drama, to Forcela dl Lech/Forcella di Lago (2486 m), situated between Piza dl Lech (2654 m) and Piza Scotoni (2874 m).
From the saddle, the path tightly twists down the mountain by means of a rocky hall, flanked by cliffs. You may see Lake Lagazuoi (Lech de Lagació in Ladin) under. In dry situations, there’s nothing troublesome about this path. It’s only a bit tedious for the knees. I used to be blissful to have my climbing poles.
Once you lastly attain stage floor, it’s just some meters to succeed in the lake shore, a pure gathering place for the Alta By way of 1 hikers who relaxation earlier than persevering with the ultimate ascent to Rifuguo Lagazuoi.
After a well-earned break, find path 20B/20 junction and descend the gully (path 20) to succeed in the beautifully-positioned Rifugio Scotoni (2040 m) in 20 minutes, guarded by two fluffy alpacas. Lunch right here is an absolute should.
Although the descent again to Capanna Alpina follows an unremarkable gravel observe, which intersects with the Armentarola Piste aka Hidden Valley Run, the views of Conturines and Piz Armentarola are stunning.
The place to Keep in San Cassiano
San Cassiano, considered one of Alta Badia’s six mountain villages, consists of a captivating pedestrianized heart and the encompassing hamlets of Armentarola, Sciaré (or Saré), Costadedoi, Suracianins, and Rü, nestled between La Villa and Valparola Move.
When you’re touring with no automobile, I like to recommend staying someplace central, strolling distance to the San Cassiano city heart and Surega cable automobile mountain station. Try Ciasa Milandura (3-star flats), Lodge Conturines (3-star resort), Lodge Steinrösl (3-star resort), Plang Farmhouse (3-star B&B), Lagacio Mountain Residence (4-star aparthotel), Lodge Diamant (4-star resort), and Lodge Fanes (5-star resort).
When you’re touring with a automobile, additionally try Lodge Ciasa Salares (4-star resort in Armentarola), B&B – Lodge Ciasa Rü Blanch (3-star resort), Lodge Ciasa Ai Pini (3-star resort).
Campers can keep in Tenting Sass Dlacia, the best campsite within the Dolomites.
When you’re visiting San Cassiano in autumn (October or November), I like to recommend staying in a resort with an on-site restaurant. Between the summer season and winter seasons, many retailers and eating places shut, leaving restricted eating and purchasing choices within the village.
Alta Badia Journey Guides
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