The Italian Dolomites - Alta Via 2
Stage 1
All content copyright © Ashley Burke 2010. Not to be copied, duplicated or used for any purpose without permission.
The Italian Dolomites - Alta Via 2 Stage 1
All content copyright © Ashley Burke 2010. Not to be copied, duplicated or used for any purpose without permission. |
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Map of AV2 Stage 1
Stage 1 - Bressanone (Brixen) to Passo Gardena (Grödner Joch)
24 - 26 Jul 2010
The official start of the Alta Via 2 is actually the Plosehütte which is accessible by cable car and chairlift, but we started our walk in Brixen and avoided using the cable car. This meant it was a long and rather dull slog up ski piste on our first day to the Plosehütte, but from then on the scenery improved dramatically. We arrived at Plosehütte in cold cloudy weather that improved during the evening creating dramatic cloud formations. We then followed the AV2 through spectacular country and in fine weather to Medalges Alm, a farmhouse where accommodation in a barn roof is available. From there it was even more spectacular walking to Grödner Joch, where we arrived at the end of our third day after leaving Brixen.
Here is our trip log for these 3 days:
| 24 Jul 2010 | Depart Brixen on a cold, overcast and windy day. Pass through village of San Andrea then a long slow and dull climb to Plosehütte which is situated high on a mountain scarred by ski fields. After arrival at the hut we did a side trip to Gabler (2576m). Spectacular sunset cloud formations and dramatic moon. |
| 25 Jul 2010 | A clear cold day, followed the AV2 to Forcella de Putia. Side trip to climb Sass de Putia (2875m) which had a small section of via ferrate choked with crowds of people. Went to Rifugio Genova and then beyond to the farmhouse of Medalges Alm. Here accommodation in the barn roof was available so we stayed there. |
| 26 Jul 2010 | An excellent day of walking in fine weather. Climbed to Forcella della Roa and then took the variant route 3A which took us up a via ferrata to near Forcella Nives and then to the summit of Piz Duleda (2909m). This was spectacular and rewarding walking. Then it was very scenic walking in fine weather over a high limestone plateau and other minor passes to finally reach Grödner Joch. There we stayed in Frara, a hotel style dormitory with proper restaurant, showers etc. |
Below are the photos from these 3 days.
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 Views from outside Plosehütte on a cold evening, weather starting to improve after a cloudy day. |
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The moon at sunset from Plosehütte. |
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Cloud formations at sunset from Plosehütte. |
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The route up Sass de Putia (2875m). You can see the cable and people on the route. |
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Medalges Alm. We stayed in the barn on the left, just behind the small window! The hut to the right is where the family that own this farm live, and where basic meals and refreshments are served. |
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Evening views from Kreuzjoch, near Medalges Alm. |
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Evening views from Kreuzjoch, near Medalges Alm. |
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Heading along variant track 3A after crossing Forcella della Roa, which you can see in this photo. |
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On the via ferrata section of variant track 3A that leads to the summit of Piz Duleda (2909m). This photo is of Kendy climbing a ladder on the via ferrata. |
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The route to Grödner Joch crosses a high limestone plateau and some minor passes before descending to the pass. |
All content copyright © Ashley Burke 2010. Not to be copied, duplicated or used for any purpose without permission. Page created 6 Oct 2010, last updated 6 Oct 2010. |
