Dolomites without borders: Day 2: Rifugio Carducci - Three Peaks

The new via ferrata: From the hut in a southern direction, first descending then climbing again, into the corner of the cirque beneath Forcella Maria (2351m). The incredibly thin rock needle with the delicious name of Salsiccia (sausage) catches your eyes. From the gorge well secured up to a short suspension bridge. Rock ledges then lead into a draw from which you climb briefly to a grassy ridge. Behind it the trail runs downhill to a distinctive ledge. At first it is comfortably wide, then it becomes increasingly more narrow. On the highly suspended path you cross to the continuation of the ledge (crux), that a few metres further forces you to crawl through a covered section. An almost vertical step in the rock face takes you to a second, approx. 13m long suspension bridge that crosses a deep rift. The route, that is still partly secured, then crosses the scree gully beneath Forcela de l'Agnel 2578m. Heavy-going on very slippery underground with approx. 150m elevation gain up to Forcela de l'Agnel with the Bivacco De Toni. - 3 hrs.

To Forcella Collerena:

The route continues beneath the vertical west face of Cima Dodici with some ups and downs northwards across to Forcella Dodici (2524m). A hard snowfield beneath Cima Dodici, that is present virtually throughout the summer, and a landslide that has shifted the path and made it over 100m longer, make this section more difficult. Here, remedial work was carried out in 2015 (partly new routing). From Forcella Dodici on a good level path across to Forcella Collerena (2530m). - 2hrs.

Strada degli Alpini (Cresta di Cengia): Difficulty A,B

The trail that was reconstructed and secured several years ago follows the former Italian positions on Cengia ridge. After a brief ascent steps take you down to a distinctive, airy horizontal ledge. At first downhill over easy rocks into the ridge valley of Passo Fiscalino (2519m) and then level across to Rifugio Pian di Cengia (2528m). - 1hr.

From Forcella Pian di Cengia follow forestry path 104 down to Laghi di Cengia and continue westwards to the Three Peaks. (Rifugio Auronzo 2329m). - 2hrs.