* Jul 28, 2017 - Ownership switched by andrea * Jul 31, 2017 - Page under review * Mar 17, 2018 - Overhaul of the page
Very wild and not excessively frequented, the BosconeroGroup is an extensive and typical massif of the Cadore Dolomites belonging to the Dolomiti di Zoldo and located in Veneto county, Belluno Province. It's a small but very interesting group, strongly differentiated, showing high and vertical walls and keeping intact the characteristics of the Bellunese mountains, with large differences in height in narrow margins of space. This fact means that the sides of the group are cut by deep ravines and gloomy, very steep gullies, which make the whole even wilder and isolated.
The Bosconero mountain range is bordered by the Piave Valley to the East, the Boite Valley to the North-East, the Zoldo Valley to the South and West, the Cervegana River Valley to the North-West and the River Rite to the North. The peaks are surrounded by steep valleys thickly covered by carpets of Pino Mugo or Barancio (dwarf pine) on upper altitudes and from Coniferous and Beech woods in the intermediate and lower altitudes. In its Soouthern side the Bosconero includes also the wild Val Tovanella, which since 1971 become a Natural reserve with an extension of 1040 hectares. The world “Bosconero” means “dark wood” or “dense wood” and has very ancient origin. Very close there are the more famous mountains Monte Pelmo and Monte Antelao.
Sasso di Bosconero and Rocchetta Alta, behind Sasso di Toanella
Bosconero Group seen from Forcella Ciavazoles
The massif doesn't overcome the altitude of 2500 meters slm, being Sasso di Bosconero 2468 m the highest summit, and hasn’t the size of the more famous Dolomites groups, but amongst the less known massifs it’s probably the one with the finest and most impressive walls. The Bosconero massif is divided into two subgroups:
- Sfornioi-Sassolungo di Cibiana Subgroup
- Bosconero-Rocchette Subgroup
The Sfornioi-Cibiana subgroup occupies the Northern sector of the group: the main peaks are the Sassolungo di Cibiana 2413 m and the Sfornioi Group, which has 3 different summits (Sfornioi North 2410 m, Sfornioi di Mezzo 2425 m, Sfornioi South 2409 m).
The Bosconero-Rocchette subgroup, in the Southern part, has the Sasso di Bosconero 2468 m as its maximum elevation (the highest peak of the entire massif). Other important peaks are Sasso di Toanella 2430 m and Rocchetta Alta di Bosconero2412 m.
Bosconero Group seen from
On the North side of the E/W branches there is a road pass called Passo Cibiana 1530 m. It connects the valleys “Zoldo” and “Piave”. It is the most confortable starting point and allows to reach easily the huts, crossing the notches Forcella Ciavazoles 1994 m (for the west side of the group) and Forcella Bella 2078 m (for the East side). Otherwise, the approach would be longer. Other two important notches located on the South branch are: the Forcella del Matt 2063 m and Forcella Toanella 2150 m. From the valley of Zoldo, starting from the hamlet of Pontesei 700 m, the path n. 485 goes up along the Bosconero valley. From the valley of Piave, from the village of Ospitale di Cadore (train) the path n. 483 goes across the Val Bona.
The West sideThe North side
The climbing interest started in the end of the 19th century, with two english guidebooks: “The Dolomite Mountains” 1864 and “Untrodded peaks and unfrequented valleys” 1873. But the first real rock climb routes were opened only in the 60’s, thanks to climbers like: Albino Michielli (also known as "Strobel"), Pietro Sommavilla, C.Angelini, Giuseppe da Damos, the polish Andrzey Mirga and Krzysztof Zurek, and many more.
Casera Bosconero and Rocchetta Alta in background
There are some huts situated in this area. They are called “casera” in the local dialect. With this name in the region are called the ancient shelters made of wood or stones in the high pastures where milk is produced, reused today as bivouacs with beds and fireplace. Most of them are open permanently. Few of them required keys to get previously from the owner. An important landmark for hikers and climbers in this area is the Casera Bosconero, a hut that is reached from the Pontesei resort in the Mae Valley.
The group is located in the “Dolomiti di Zoldo” region.
By plane The nearest international airports are "Treviso", used for many low-cost flights, and "Venezia" "Marco Polo".
By train - The nearest railway station is Longarone; Belluno station can also be used as the DolomitiBus service leaves from there for Longarone/Pecol.
By bus - Various buses of the DolomitiBus service leave from the Belluno bus station (opposite the railway station) and reach Val Zoldana in approx. 1hour.
By car - For who came from “Pianura Padana”, the fastest way is reach the village of "Longarone". Not far from the city of "Belluno": from Turin or Milan or Venice take the motorway A4 - Mestre - motorway A27. Otherwise, reach the village of "Zoldo". It isn't the easiest way but very panoramic. From "Feltre" or "Belluno": road n. 203 – Agordo – Passo Duran – Zoldo.
The "Viàz"
The first explorers of the massif were the local hunters of chamois. Most of the paths get the origin from that ancient chases. Even today, above the common tourist routes, there are the same wild, hidden and exposed paths called “Viàz” crossing the ledges of these characteristic mountains.
Routes across the ledges are typical of the Dolomites as much as the ledges are typical chacteristic of the structure of these famous mountains. (for example the "cengia Ball" of Monte Pelmo or the "cengia Gabriella" in the Dolomiti di Sesto), but the local dialect term "Viàz" is only used around the Zoldo range. “Viàz” was the name as the local hunters used to call those routes. Bosconero group hosts two of these “Viàz”; they are called “Viàz del Fonch” and “Viàz de l’Ors”.
Red Tape
No fees no permits required. The whole group is part of the Dolomiti Bellunesi, a mountain system included among the nine ones acknowledged as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. More info about Dolomiti Unesco World Heritage here:
The Bosconero group includes the wild Val Tovanella in its territory, since 1971 become a Natural reserve with an extension of 1040 hectares. This forest is the ideal habitat for deer, chamois, roe deer, lynx, royal eagle, cedar rooster.
Approach: From lake of Pontesei path 485, 2 hours, E - From Passo Cibiana, path 485, 2 hours, EE
Casera Bosconero
Casera Darè Copada
- Casera Darè Copada 1856 m
Open from: permanently Telephone: none Keeper: none Places: 8 Approach: from Passo Cibiana, path 483, 1 hour, E - From Lake of Pontesei, path 485, 3 hours, EE
Open from: permanenly Telephone: none Keeper: none Property: CAI sez. San Donà di Piave Places: 12 Approach: from Passo Cibiana, path 483, 2 hours, EE - From Ospitale di Cadore, path 483, 3,30 hours, E
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