Throughout WWI, the Kaiserjägersteig (Sentiero Kaiserjäger in Italian), or Austrian Mountain Troop Path, served as a transport route for meals, ammunition, and provides to the high-mountain outposts on Lagazuoi. The historic route has since been restored, permitting hikers to observe it from the valley all the best way to the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo (Kleiner Lagazuoi).
The Kaiserjägersteig is a secured climbing path (Sentiero Attrezzato), generally labeled as a Grade A through ferrata. I like to recommend sporting a climbing helmet and gloves. Hikers with restricted through ferrata expertise ought to carry a full through ferrata equipment.
From the summit, the path follows a well-maintained path all the way down to Rifugio Lagazuoi. The route then descends to Forcella Lagazuoi after which crosses a lonesome excessive alpine valley to Forcella de Salares. The ultimate part twists steeply down a gully earlier than climbing once more to Passo Valparola.
This present day hike is possible for hikers primarily based in each Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alta Badia.
Trailhead: Passo Valparola | Google Maps
Distance: 9.2 km circuit
Time Wanted: 4 hours. It took me 4:30 hours with breaks
Elevation Achieve/Loss: 742 meters
Issue: Troublesome
Lowest Level: 2042 meters
Highest Level: 2778 meters
Route: Passo Valparola – Lagazuoi Piccolo/Kleiner Lagazuoi – Rifugio Lagazuoi – Forcella Lagazuoi – Forcela de Salares – Passo Valparola
Trails: Kaiserjägersteig, Trails 401, 20, 20A
The place to Keep in San Cassiano: Ciasa Milandura (3-star flats), Lodge Steinrösl (3-star lodge), Plang Farmhouse (3-star B&B), Lagacio Mountain Residence (4-star aparthotel), Lodge Diamant (4-star lodge)
Really helpful Itinerary: 10-14 Day Dolomites Itinerary
Sentiero Kaiserjäger Map
Important Path Information
Tips on how to Get to Valparola Go by Bus | Take bus 465 from La Villa, or San Cassiano within the course of Passo Falzarego. Get off at “Valparola Go.”
Parking close to Valparola Go | There are a number of roadside automotive parks close to the cross. I parked instantly throughout the trailhead adjoining to the Museo della Grande Guerra “Tre Sassi:” Google Maps. An alternative choice is to park above Lago di Valparola: Google Maps.
Mountain climbing Season | July – September, when the path is snow-free. I’ve hiked this circuit in each July and August. Surprisingly, I loved my August climbing expertise extra, as a result of I set out earlier, and noticed only a few individuals alongside the Kaiserjägersteig.
Path Course | I like to recommend ascending Sentiero Kaiserjäger to Lagazuoi Piccolo.
Issue | The best way to Lagazuoi Piccolo is steep and unrelenting with secured and unsecured scrambling sections (Grade A). A lot of the trail ascends crumbling terrain. With nobody in entrance of me and the absence of waymarks, I discovered the wayfinding a bit troublesome at instances. For that cause, it’s completely crucial to solely hike this path when it’s snow-free.
Path Variations | I began the hike at Passo Valparola, as a result of I used to be primarily based in Alta Badia. In case you’re primarily based in Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can begin at Passo Falzarego.
The place to Eat | Rifugio Lagazuoi
Accountable Mountain climbing | This path is situated within the protected areas of Parco Naturale Regionale delle Dolomiti d’Ampezzo and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Park. Tenting, flying drones, selecting flowers, and lighting fires is forbidden.
Sentiero Kaiserjäger Path Description
Passo Valparola to Lagazuoi Piccolo (1:30 hours)
The climbing path begins instantly throughout from the road from the automotive park, neighboring Museo della Grande Guerra “Tre Sassi.” There isn’t any signpost or waymark marking the beginning of the path. The trail progressively ascends northeast earlier than turning southeast, working parallel to the bottom of the Torre Intra i Sass / Lagazuoi rock wall (2,450 m).
Trying again to the highway, you’ll see Setsas and Sas de Stria (Hexenstein).
After about 12 minutes, the path forks. Keep proper and cross the WWI wreck. After rounding a large boulder, the path climbs after which leads by way of a really lengthy trench. Averau comes into view forward.
Simply earlier than reaching one other boulder, marked by the stays of a now-vanished wreck, the path veers sharply left. Ascend this path, then flip left once more. The path twists upward to a plaque.
Proceed climbing to a different junction and plaque, then bear proper to stay on the Kaiserjägersteig.
The unrelenting ascent continues. After negotiating a brief, eroded, washed-out part, the intact path resumes and brings you to the ledge that results in the bottom of a vertical scrambling part.
I placed on my helmet and gloves at this level. Climb the strengthened path up the gully utilizing the steel rungs. The path then continues alongside one other secured ledge to a 10-meter-long suspension bridge, spanning a cleft. After crossing the bridge, the secured route, now extra uncovered, follows the ledge across the mountainside.
The mounted cables finish, and an indication signifies the best way to Lagazuoi summit. Ascend the unfastened, rocky terrain in the direction of the wall. This part may be troublesome to observe as a result of the tough terrain makes the precise path laborious to tell apart.
The cables start once more. This stretch will not be uncovered, however it’s very steep. When the cables finish, veer barely left, transferring away from the wall. Quickly, the path turns into simpler to observe, marked by timber bolstering. A brief picket ladder leads to some switchbacks.
The ascent continues, though it’s much less brutal than the part under. One other secured, uncovered part brings you to a excessive ledge. From right here, there’s a shortcut to the ridge, or you’ll be able to observe the official path round.
Upon cresting the ridge, you’ll see much more individuals, since many have ascended through cable automotive.
From the ridge, observe the trail to the summit of Lagazuoi Piccolo (2,778 m).
Lagazuoi Piccolo – Rifugio Lagazuoi – Forcella Lagazuoi (half-hour)
Excessive up on even floor, observe the manicured path all the way down to Rifugio Lagazuoi. Descend the steps, lined in rubber grip matting, all the way down to the Lagazuoi cable automotive mountain station.
Following the signal to Forcella Lagazuoi (Path 401/Alta Through 1), descend the switchback path (“Sentiero del Fronte”), more and more tough as you lose elevation, to the Lagazuoi saddle (2572 m)
Forcella Lagazuoi to Forcella Salares (1 hour)
Veer left on path 20 and shortly left once more on 20A within the course of Forcella Salares. The traverse throughout the quiet excessive valley between the Spinarac ridge and the Lagazuoi Peaks is well-graded and comfy. An indication indicated that you simply’ve crossed into the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park UNESCO World Heritage Website.
Ultimately, you’ll be a part of the well-known Armentarola Piste for just a few meters, earlier than the path veers left throughout a waymarked ledge. Views confide in Val Badia and even the Grande Piano (Le Gran Plan), the sting of Fanes Alp, framed by Piz Tailbun and Piz dla Lech.
Drop down a rocky hall and traverse the slope to achieve Forcela de Salares (2283 m). Maintain your eyes out for Edelweiss.
Forcella Salares to Passo Valparola (1 hour)
A steep path, nonetheless Path 20A, twists down a gully to a junction. The left higher path leads on to Passo Valparola. Nevertheless, this path is washed out in a number of locations. Truthfully, I’m stunned it isn’t formally closed. I adopted this direct path. One explicit step was difficult for me, and I sat and slid down.
The excellent news is that there’s one other solution to Passo Valparola. On the Path 20A/18B junction, you’ll be able to go proper and observe a decrease observe (Path 18B and later a highway). I’ve not personally hiked this path, however I think about it’s safer.
Once you attain the highway resulting in Passo Valparola, cautiously cross the road and hike alongside the highway again to the automotive park, passing Rifugio Valparola alongside the best way.
The place to Keep close to Passo Valparola
San Cassiano
San Cassiano, considered one of Alta Badia’s six mountain villages, consists of an enthralling pedestrianized middle and the encircling hamlets of Armentarola, Sciaré (or Saré), Costadedoi, Suracianins, and Rü, nestled between La Villa and Valparola Go.
In case you’re touring with out a automotive, I like to recommend staying someplace central, strolling distance to the San Cassiano city middle and Surega cable automotive mountain station. Try Ciasa Milandura (3-star flats), Lodge Conturines (3-star lodge), Lodge Steinrösl (3-star lodge), Plang Farmhouse (3-star B&B), Lagacio Mountain Residence (4-star aparthotel), Lodge Diamant (4-star lodge), and Lodge Fanes (5-star lodge).
In case you’re touring with a automotive, additionally take a look at Lodge Ciasa Salares (4-star lodge in Armentarola), B&B – Lodge Ciasa Rü Blanch (3-star lodge), Lodge Ciasa Ai Pini (3-star lodge).
Campers can keep in Tenting Sass Dlacia, the best campsite within the Dolomites.
In case you’re visiting San Cassiano in autumn (October or November), I like to recommend staying in a lodge with an on-site restaurant. Between the summer season and winter seasons, many outlets and eating places shut, leaving restricted eating and purchasing choices within the village.
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