List of forums / Italy / Dolomites / Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings

bagi20. 10. 2021 14:04:04

The Sella massif has quite a touristy character, especially on Piz Boè where crowds of tourists flock. It's the highest, a three-thousander, and the nearby cable car allows access to anyone. Experience and fitness aren't important to most. That's why we somewhat avoided exploring this area and kept postponing it indefinitely. Beautiful weather and absence of snow cover finally called us here too. Instead of biting into a sour apple, we bit into a juicy, sweet one with the real taste of the Dolomites nasmeh

.

We crisscrossed the Sella Dolomites lengthwise and crosswise. Our trip lasted three days, chosen to discover the entire mountain range. Many things turned out to be real treats. At the end, we wondered why we had delayed the visit for so long zmeden

. Getting a bed in the huts wasn't a problem either. The late date had long scared off vacationers, and we only met day hikers. Sometimes not even them. In total, it added up to 40 km and 4000 m elevation gain. More by days in photo stories ...

And how did we hike?

DAY 1 - Via ferrata Pößnecker, Piz Miara, Col de Mesores, Rif. Pisciadu hut

We parked right below the Sella pass summit, and there's also the sign for our first goal … via ferrata Pößnecker. Still in deep shade and with numb fingers, we reached the start and marveled at the entry direction into the wall above us. We were even more amazed by the cables and steps that seemed from another time. We switched to a higher level of caution and headed into the mighty wall. The via ferrata is mighty too, in terms of route I can only speak of superlatives. Difficulty C/D, with free climbing up to grade two, but I'm not talking about that. The ambience is unique. Twice we squeezed through needle's eyes, both times our backpacks were quite in the way. A few times we hung in the vertical wall, where old pegs and cables are the best company. Besides my companion, of course nasmeh

. The via ferrata is long, long, yet too short due to the great experience.

After exiting the via ferrata, we reached the Mesulas plateau, which gently undulates above sheer slopes. We followed path 649 and casually visited the summits Piz Selva, Piz Miara, Piz Beguz, and Piz Rotic. Then a left turn onto path 676 and descent to Lech de Pisciadu lake with Rif. Pisciadu hut nearby. Here we arranged accommodation and visited the nearby more or less pathless viewpoint Col de Mesores. Followed by an excellent dinner in the friendly hut and sleep in an empty room with twenty bunks. That day we hiked 11 km and 1100 m elevation gain.

Coordinates of starting point (Passo Sella - free parking): 46.508646, 11.766390

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings It's Sunday, no tourists yet. We park without trouble at Passo Sella

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Right by the road a sign invites us to a very interesting via ferrata

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Western towers of the Sella group. It's cold, we quickly put on gloves

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Approach path to the start. Nobody around

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Entry to the Pößnecker via ferrata. Its origin dates back to distant 1912

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings The start is demanding, the continuation doesn't let up

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings The rock is good, not worn at all. Obviously no crowds here

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Soon the wall becomes vertical and there's more and more air underfoot

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings First ring bolt ear, passage past a rock flake

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Not really for the plump, even the backpacks weigh us down already

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings View back. We just squeezed through this ear

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings View ahead. No, that's not a climber, a via ferrata runs there :)

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings We are approaching the second narrow passage. Exposure is real

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings We are right in front of the narrowest part. Only air below

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Second Šivanka's ear. No idea what lies ahead

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Extremely narrow passage. We squeeze past with difficulty

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings And right away a dizzying continuation follows ...

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Already past D grade, just enough to catch our breath :)

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings The steepness doesn't relent, but no longer vertical ...

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Oops ... mistake. Another vertical wall appeared

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings The cable is somewhat loose here, we ascend carefully

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Conclusion in sight. Not looking forward to it at all :)

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings At the wall's edge *Only for trained*. Can't imagine encounters down there

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Just enough flat before the next climb to stretch legs

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Tower by the path, eaten by time already

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Some demanding scrambling follows

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Harder sections secured by cable ....

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings And this young lady ...

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings In this setting the final ascent to the summit plateau proceeds

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Here we come out ... Piz Selva

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Still the motivational little man whom we follow to the best of our abilities all the time

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Our final goal of this day will be the hut Rif. Pisciadu

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Summit plateau Mesules, the exact opposite of the ascent from Passo Sella

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Piz Miara, one of the higher peaks on the edge of the sheer cliffs

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings View from the summit to the pass Passo Gardena

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings We continue along path 649

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Later we turn left onto 676 and descend to the hut Rif. Pisciadu

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings We descend the scree. Of the two paths the upper one is better trodden

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Little lake Lech de Pisciadu .....

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings View back. We have just arrived from there

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Piz da Lech, our goal in the next days

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Pass towards Passo Gardena. Here we will descend tomorrow morning

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings We are still early, so we head along 677 to the nearby viewpoint

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Soon we leave the markers and search for passages through the rock

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings In the west it has clouded over, we are already catching a few drops

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Viewpoint Col de Mesores. Below Passo Gardena

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings We quickly turn around and return to the hut with accelerated steps

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings Day tourists have already considerably thinned out

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings In the room with 20 bunks we were alone

Dolomites Sella – Piz Boè and its surroundings BLUE line - GPS track of the hiked path DAY 1

(+7)

bagi21. 10. 2021 13:10:16

DAY 2 - Via ferrata Pisciadu (Tridentina), Cima Pisciadu, Rif. Boe hut, Piz Boe, Rif. Franz Kostner hut

After a good breakfast we descended towards Passo Gardena intending to visit via ferrata Pisciadu. The descent gully has steep scree in the lower part, but it is arranged so that there are few like it. In the biggest scree you walk with hands in pockets, so all praise to the maintainers of this path. Almost in the valley we turned right towards the ferrata. Most know it as Brigata Tridentina, the military unit responsible for its construction. Right at the entry the proximity of the pass and easy access showed itself. We hadn't met so many people for a long time, but we didn't have to wait anyway. Most retreat as soon as you approach too closely. We always thank politely and have never been subject to bad blood. The upper part of the ferrata is much nicer than the lower and has some attractive C category passages. Despite everything it didn't particularly excite us. The exit is a bit below Rif. Pisciadu hut, where we closed the loop and headed further.

First we visited the house peak and excellent viewpoint Cima Pisciadu, then continued to Piz Boe past the namesake hut. This one is renovated and enlarged, above all touristic. It has no soul. The reason is crowds of tourists coming in waves synchronized with the gondola. Here we passed quickly and climbed express to the summit. A few photo snaps for memory and we were already descending the opposite side of the slope. There are also scree fields here, which below turn into several path variants. Our 626 is exceptionally nice, it brought us to Rif. Franz Kostner hut, tonight's accommodation. The hut is on such a level that I warmly recommend it nasmeh

. It has been run by the same family for decades. That day we hiked 15 km and 1500 m elevation gain.

Morning of the second day. To enter the Ferrata Pisciadu we first have to descend.

The descent is steep, on unpleasant terrain. The path maintainers have solved this elegantly.

Still a view from afar. Excellent solution.

We descend almost to the level of the Passo Gardena pass.

There the markings direct us to the right towards the ferrata.

Entrance board. The Brigata Tridentina built the Ferrata Pisciadu.

Entry section in the sun. The rock is warm, the steel cables too.

The safety features are well maintained, watch out for polished rocks.

The ferrata is not too strenuous fitness-wise. Steep sections are followed by traverses.

There are people constantly. No problems overtaking.

Our group marches briskly and cheerfully ... :)

We rush forward. The upper part of the via ferrata is the most beautiful.

And we are already over the final bridge, the attraction of this via ferrata.

Back at the hut, already the second time this day.

We continue towards the house mountain Cimi Pisciadu.

Fork. First we go left, on the return from the summit then right.

Cima Pisciadu. The marked ascent proceeds along terraces.

At the summit. Some mist prevented the panoramic view that extends far around.

We continue towards the hut Rif. Boe. In the background Cima Pisciadu.

Piz Boe, the highest peak of the Sella massif and also the most touristy.

Hut Rif. Boe, full of people. Here no one greets.

Usual access to the summit section via the gully, full of people.

We two quickly turn right into the fixed cables. There is no one there.

Capanna Piz Fassa at the summit. You can sleep here too.

It turns left onto path 638. Our goal is the hut Rif. Franz Kostner.

It descends through scree slopes, the path is well-maintained and not difficult.

There are many junctions, everything is well marked.

Also a bench for those who have been walking a long time :)

Follows a descent along the edge of a steep scree.

Unusual solution for safe descent. At least 10 ropes are attached.

In the lower part of the scree the gradient eases.

We continue left around the edge, right is the difficult ferrata Piazzetta.

The path is exceptionally beautiful and panoramic.

Our hut Rif. Framz Kostner in the distance.

The beautiful path continues for quite a while.

We are already at the hut. We will sleep here.

GREEN line - GPS track of the hiked path DAY 2

(+10)

iztok196021. 10. 2021 13:57:49

@bagi, I very gladly read your descriptions and look at your pics, so keep delighting me and, I believe, someone else too, continue.

(+3)

panda21. 10. 2021 15:23:23

Congratulations, you two are incredible, how you find such beautiful hikes. Plus a nice report with pictures. Just keep going. nasmeh

(+2)

MatejaP21. 10. 2021 16:10:57

I also like to read the report that EMil prepares, and I hiked all this with him.

After a few years, the images in the head fade, and I like to walk our hiked paths again.

This is a several-month project before we set off and a big task when we return.

The purpose is to share and brighten someone's day, maybe it comes in handy for their wanderings, we also hunt for ideas everywhere velik nasmeh

Many safe steps to all, given that they raise gasoline prices day by day, we'll soon walk only on foot nasmeh

we're used to that.

(+4)

felix21. 10. 2021 17:00:34

Congratulations Mateja and Bagi. Really beautiful Dolomites.

(+3)

nenap21. 10. 2021 17:40:39

Hats off to Emil and Mateja nasmeh

Nice hikes, km elevation you do velik nasmeh

Little greeting Nevenka

(+2)

bagi21. 10. 2021 20:29:30

Thanks, thanks to everyone. It's a pleasure for me to pour our adventures into words and bring them closer to others too. Either as ideas or just relaxed reading. Enjoy nasmeh

Emil @ Mateja

(+2)

bagi22. 10. 2021 12:12:27

DAY 3 - Via ferrata Piz da Lech, Piz da Lech, via ferrata Vallon, Piza de Lech Dlace, Piz Boe, Passo Sella pass

Morning showed itself in the best light with sun and no fog. Our first goal was via ferrata Piz da Lech, leading to the namesake viewpoint. The via ferrata has C/D difficulty, distinguished by great ambience along its route. Dolomite towers, warm colors and natural passages remain in the best memory nasmeh

. Recommended. Then a hop to the summit, return via normal approach and continuation towards via ferrata Vallon. This one is more enclosed and overcomes the rock step that completely closes the Valun valley. Its route is also natural with some attractive passages, especially a wobbly bridge past a small waterfall. The protections have seen better days (condition 2021).

We followed ridge path 672, marked as very demanding, Solo per Esperti in Italian. It's not particularly demanding, the label is more to scare tourists. Due to the narrow ridge in the upper part, it still requires a good dose of experience, sometimes a steady step. In between you hike the ridge summit Piza de Lech Dlace. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful access to Piz Boe.

At the summit, as usual, there were crowds of people, so we quickly descended towards Rif. Boe hut. There we found path 647, which took us to Val Lasties valley. Much lower we branched right onto 656 and followed it to the main road for Passo Sella pass. We didn't want to walk on it, so we soon branched off onto an unmarked climbers' path. This way we completely avoided asphalt and traffic. Via it we reached back to the starting point and concluded our three-day exploration. That day we hiked 14 km and 1400 m elevation gain. And the conclusion ... satisfied and satisfied again velik nasmeh