Route: from Bolzano/Bozen (m. 266) to Santo Stefano di Cadore (m. 907)
Stages number: 23
Length: 180 kms. Average time: 14 days
Difficulty: easy Notes: this itinerary offers a series of links with the other High Routes. Indeed you can go towards Feltre (no. 2), Belluno (no.1), Longarone (no.3) and Pieve di Cadore (no. 4) instead of getting to Santo Stefano. Otherwise you can combine the High Routes no. 6, 9 and 10 you hike along the the "Super High Route", a 4-week long trek. The High Route no.9 is called Trasversale because it crosses the Eastern Dolomites from west to east. It is one of the longest but also one of the easiest High Routes of the Dolomites which follows a unitary and rather continuous route, especially in the first stretch Bolzano/Bozen-Cortina. Morover, several support points allow short stages which do not require a particular resistance and a lot of food-stuffs. This itinerary follows the natural ridge line that starts on the Sciliar and go on towards Cortina crossing the Sassolungo, the Settsass, the Fanis Peaks and the group of the Tofane going onwards through the Cristallo, the Cadini and the Dolomiti di Sesto/Sexten Dolomites and ending up in Santo Stefano. 16 km far from Bolzano/Bozen there is Bagni di Lavina Bianca (Tires) that is the true starting point of the High Route no.9 which can be reached by own transport or by bus. Bagni di Lavina Bianca - Rifugio Bergamo 2,5-3 hours walk. Well-marked path, tiring because of the 960 metres of difference in height, which leads through one of the most beautiful Dolomites valleys. Rifugio Bergamo - Rifugio Alpe di Tires 1,5-2 hours walk. Easy crossing of the northern slope of the Catianccio/Rosengarten. In case of snow we recommend the use of ice-axe and crampons in the frist stretch of the Passo Molignon. Rifugio Alpe di Tires - Rifugio Sassopiatto 1,5-2 hours walk. This is one of the easiest and most panoramic stages of the whole itinerary. The path is wide and well marked and the maximum difference in height is 300 m downhill and 160 m uphill. Rifugio Sassopiatto - Passo Sella 1,5-2 hours walk. This beautiful panoramic stage winds from rifugio Sassopiatto as far as Passo Sella along the slopes of the Sassolungo, and, although the 2210 m of difference in height (downhill) it is easy. Passo Sella - Rifugio Boè 3-3,5 hours walk. Binding stage because of the difference in height (940 m uphill) but with stunning rocky sceneries. Not recommended in case of poor visibility. Rifugio Boè - Passo di Campolongo 2,5-3 hours walk. This stretch crosses the Piz Boè, the highest peak of the Sella group and continues towards Passo Campolongo (1875 m) which separates the Eastern and Western Dolomites. Dangerous in case of snow and not recommended in case of bad weather and poor visibility. Passo di Campolongo - Rifugio Pralongia 1,5 hours walk. Easy excursion with 270 m of difference in height towards the rifugio on the peak of Monte Pralongia. Rifugio Pralongia - Passo Valparola 2,5 hours walk. Easy stretch along a well marked path which leads to Passo Valparola, between the Settsass in the west and the Piccolo Lagazuoi in the east. Difference in height: 200 m downhill and 230 m uphill. Passo Valparola - Rifugio Lagazuoi 2,5 hours walk. After a short road stretch as far as Passo Falzarego, you have to climb a steep path as far as the Piccolo Lagazuoi and the rifugio, which can be reached by cableway from Passo Falzarego too. Rifugio Lagazuoi - Rifugio Pomedes 2,5 hours walk. Stunning ititnerary along the southern walls of the Tofane with excellent view on Ampezzo and Zoldo Dolomites. The Path Astaldi, in the firt stretch, requires a steady foot and absence of giddiness. Rifugio Pomedes - Cortina d'Ampezzo 1,5-2 hours walk. The high downhill difference in height (1180 m) of this stage can be made by chairlift (Rifugio Pomedes - Baita Piè Tofana) or by the TOfane cableway (Col Drusciè - Cortina). Cortina d'Ampezzo - Rifugio Somforca 3,5 hours walk. After the binding but easy climb to Forcella Zumeles (1020 m of difference in height) there is a more comfortable stretch surrounded by a spectacular scenery. Rifugio Somforca - Rifugio Col de Varda 3,5 hours walk. This crossing, from the Cristallo group to the Cadini di Misurina does not present difficulties thus the 810 m of difference in height uphill and 910 m downhill. Rifugio Col de Varda - Rifugio Fonda Savio 1-2 hours walk. This stage presents some safeguarded climbs which requires the use of ice-axe and crampons in case of snow at the beginning of the summer. Rifugio Fonda Savio - Rifugio Auronzo 2 hours walk. This stage, which presents some safeguarded climbs, winds along an ancient military route and it crosses the High Route n. 4. It requires a steady foot and absence of giddiness. Rifugio Auronzo - Bivacco De Toni 2-3 hours walk. Easy crossing, well marked, along the southern slopes of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Monte Paterno and the Croda de Toni. Bivacco De Toni - Rifugio Carducci 1-2 hours walk. This stretch among the Dolomiti di Sesto is few crowded, even if it is not particularly binding. It requires a steady foot and absence of giddiness. At the beginning of the summer it is recommended the use of the ice-axe. Rifugio Carducci - Rifugio Berti 3-4 hours walk. This is the most binding stretch of the whole Traversata: the Path of the Alpini is accessible only to expert mountaineers (stretches with difficulty level II). Much attension must be paid while crossing the northern wall of Cima Undici where you can find ice also in summer. Rifugio Berti - Bivacco Piovan 1 hour walk. Short and not binding path along the precipices of Cima Bagni. Bivacco Piovan - Passo Zovo 2-3 hours walk. Easy stretch which requires a good orienteering sense since the path is not always well-marked. many possibilities of ascentions to the surrounding peaks Passo Zovo - Danta 1 hour walk. Short excursion with a beautiful view on the Upper Valle del Piave. Danta - Santo Stefano 45 minutes walk. Ending stretch along a not well-marked path but easy.
