CIAMPEDIE - RIFUGIO RODA DI VAEL - RIFUGIO A. FRONZA - PASSO CORONELLE - GARDECCIA

High-level hikes

Follow the directions in the last hike as far as the Baita Marino Pederiva and Roda di Vael refuge (2,280 m; 2 hrs). From here take the panoramic path no. 549 (called the Hirzel-Weg), which bends round the Majaré mountain. You will pass the bronze eagle dedicated to Theodor Christomannos, a doctor from Merano who played a key role in bringing tourism to the Dolomites. Next you will come to path no. 539 coming up from the Paolina refuge (20 mins distance). Keep going at the same altitude at the feet of the Roda de Vael mountain, the view is magnificent and the path is easy. You will come to paths no. 551 (to the Vaiolon Pass) and no. 552 (another route up from the Paolina refuge). After a short uphill section you get to the A. Fronza refuge at 2,339 m (1 hour 30; 3 hrs 30). Now start the climb behind the refuge. At the fork choose the right-hand path. The path to the left goes to the Santner Pass, to the right leads up to the Coronelle Pass (Pas da le Coronele) at 2,631 m (1 hour; 4 hrs 30). On the other side you walk down the scree of the Davoi basin. There is a crossroads where you take path no. 541 to the left. This cuts across the base of the massive east face of the Catinaccio (Ciadenac) mountain and then meets up with the dirt road going up to the Vajolet and Preuss refuges. Turn right and go downhill to Gardeccia (1 hour 15; 5 hrs 45) and from here the wide, easy path back to Ciampedìe (45 mins; 6 hrs 30).