Shorter Walks in the Dolomites. Gillian Price

cellar received regular visits under the cover of night from both Austrian and Italian troops in the early days of the conflict, although (reportedly) nothing as slight as a skirmish ever broke out, each side preferring to stagger back in silence to its respective camp loaded with precious provisions. At a later date the castle was shelled to smithereens but the place name survived on maps. Sant’Uberto is set at the narrow mouth of the beautiful valley that leads to the Alpe di Sennes uplands, today’s destination.

      This walk embraces a marvellous range of scenery and habitats. It includes two neighbouring nature parks – Dolomiti d’Ampezzo and Fanes-Sennes-Braies – that are home to veritable hordes of ibex, chamois, roe deer and marmots along with their inevitable ‘companion’ birds of prey. Grandiose Dolomite groups headed by Croda Rossa are foremost features, their lower flanks cloaked by flourishing woods of a healthy mix of evergreen conifer and deciduous species. A visit is feasible throughout the glorious summer and as late as October, which is a magical time for the stunning russet hues and golden ‘rain’ from the larch trees. Four particularly hospitable rifugi are touched on, which are marvellous lunch or refreshment stops, as well as cosy places to stay.

      The outward stages of the walk follow clear, easy tracks and paths, while the conclusion is a rather steep path, although this can be avoided by shortcutting down Val Salata. Families will enjoy this route, if they ever get past the central valley where attractive gurgling streams seem to act as a magnet on youngsters.

      Rifugio Fodara Vedla and the Croda Rossa

      A superb follow-up is a visit to the nearby Cascata di Fanes (signposted access near Sant’Uberto). With its 70m drop, it is held to be the highest in the Dolomites.

      Walk

      Rifugio Ra Stua (1668m) is a hut-cum-dairy farm set in an ample picturesque pasture basin between Croda Rossa ENE and Lavinores W. Dotted with photogenic timber huts, this was occupied by a vast spread of Austrian tents from 1915 to 1917, when it acted as a key sorting and storage point. The name Stua comes from ‘dam’, as the nearby stream used to be blocked to operate machinery for the old medieval quarry of red stone. Further up the slope, don’t miss the magnificent giant Arolla pines – they’re 300 years old!

      Take the main track (n.6) N along Vallon Scuro to Campo Croce (1758m, 20min), in marshland fed by meanders of Torrente Boite – according to hearsay, local shepherds diverted watercourses such as this to curb the impetuous flow and make more drinking water available for their animals. Turn L on n.9, a stony track and former wartime mule route. It winds its steady way W through Arolla pine and larch, levelling out at the 1950m mark to traverse lovely grassy basins dotted with bushes and dwarf mountain pines, perfect habitats for both shy chamois and marmots. Evidence of the natural phenomenon of karstification is plentiful, with grooved rock surfaces and sinkholes. You then pass puddle-sized Lago de Rudo (1990m), backed by the impressive inclined slabs of Lavinores. Not far along, you come to the delightful basin housing a batch of old timber huts and Rifugio Fodara Vedla (1966m, 1hr), with a lovely view E to Croda Rossa.

      Path n.7 starts off as a jeep track but 10min uphill a marked path branches N through the shrubs, climbing over a panoramic ridge where Croda del Becco and Croda Rossa come into view. The jeep track is rejoined for the rest of the way to Rifugio Sennes (2126m, 40min), set in rather bare surrounds (although apparently satisfactory for the herds of robust cows around).

      At this point, should the final section look too long and tiring, by all means take the short cut to Campo Croce.

      Exit to Campo Croce (45min)

      A matter of minutes E of Rifugio Sennes, you reach the fork for the straightforward jeep track (n.6A) that drops SE via Val Salata under the line of cliffs that sweep down from the Remeda Rossa plateau. The source of the River Boite, which waters Cortina and later joins the Piave, is on the final stretch to Campo Croce (1758m).

      The panoramic terrace at Rifugio Biella

      Instead of the lane that takes a broad sweep E then N for Rifugio Biella, a more varied and interesting path (n.6) cuts NE over a ridge. Leave Rifugio Sennes uphill due N on a rough track, turning off R near a low shed. You quickly reach undulating terrain with masses of gentians, edelweiss and marmots, Croda del Becco visible with its trademark shiny grey inclined slabs. The path drops gradually to join the lane heading E for Rifugio Biella (2327m, 1hr), the panorama ranging SW to the Tofane and Pelmo. This hut is run by an alpine guide with a lifetime of experience in the world’s mountains. It can also be reached on Walk 2.

      From the hut’s flagpole n.26 picks its way through the rocks SSE. Across open terrain where both rock ptarmigan nest and marmots burrow, you drop to lovely Lago di Fosses (2162m, 45min), which looks inviting for a refreshing dip in the shade of the artistic layers of the Remeda Rossa. The lakes here formed among layers of peat on top of a waterproof clay base, which prevents the water disappearing underground.

      Once past the far end of the lake, signposts point you SE for a brief rise and saddle that provides access to a desolate side valley at the foot of impressive Piccola Croda Rossa (E). A further lake, Lago di Remeda Rossa, is usually dried up. Shortly, the clear path cuts down diagonally R (S) into a lovely flowered basin, which leads into dwarf mountain pines and a rough, tiring descent over loose rocks. You eventually emerge on the jeep track at Campo Croce (1772m, 1hr 15min), which leads to Rifugio Ra Stua (1668m, 20min).

      Rifugio Biella Tel [phone], June to September [email protected]

      Rifugio Fodara Vedla Tel [phone], June to October www.fodara.it

      Rifugio Ra Stua Tel [phone], May to October www.malgarastua.com

      Rifugio Sennes Tel [phone], June to October www.sennes.com

WALK 5

      Landro to Cortina on the Old Railway Line

Start	Gasthof Drei Zinnen
Finish	Cortina
Distance	20km/12.4 miles
Total Ascent	120m
Total Descent	300m
Grade	1
Time	4hr 30min
Maps	Tabacco n.03 scale 1:25,000
Access	The Gasthof is located 1km N of Lago di Landro on the SS51, and it can be reached on the year-round SAD Cortina–Dobbiaco bus. By car, you’re better off leaving your vehicle here and returning by bus afterwards, as parking is a rare and costly commodity in Cortina, where the walk ends.

      The Austrian army mapped out the narrow-gauge Cortina–Dobbiaco railway line in 1915 with the imminent war in mind. Once the conflict was over and the area became part of Italy, work was completed in 1919 by the Italians, who also extended the stretch to Calalzo. Electrified in 1929, the line operated until the 1960s, when bus transport took over. However, the train and Cortina railway station can still be admired in the classic 1963 Peter Sellers film The Pink Panther.