Monte Ciaval / Cavallo from Val Travenanzes

Introduction

This route is more recommended for a descent, because in the upper part it goes up by some 600 m of unpleasant scree slopes. Otherwise Val Travenanzes is very beautiful and from the summit the views are interesting, especially on the group of Tofane. This tour is also done as a ski tour, but steep and dangerous slopes require absolutely avalanche-safe conditions. We can reach the trails branching in Val Travenanzes either from below (trailhead near Podestagno) or from above (from Passo Falzarego over Forcella Travenanzes, 2507 m).

General Information

Difficulty: On the Swiss Hiking Scale the route would be graded T4/T3. The part till the paths branching in Val Travenanzes is easy (T2). Below the Forcella Casale the path is almost untraceable - rubble slopes are very unpleasant. The summit slopes of Monte Ciaval are exposed on a few places. The Italian grade is EE (Escursionisti Esperti, experienced hikers).

Exposition: Exposed are only the last 50 meters of ascent, even if the slopes below our feet are nowhere really vertical.

Orientation: Till the paths branching in Val Travenanzes the marks are very reliable. Further towards the Forcella Casale the marks on path No. 17 are weak and on those broad scree slopes we must choose carefully. On the main ridge there is only one right notch, but the slopes below the wrong ones also show some traces. See the GPX track (from Passo Falzarego) in the header!

Slope orientation: The slopes below the notch are south oriented. The summit slopes are north oriented. Be careful if snow lies on them!

Objective dangers: The route is objectively dangerous in the section just below Forcella Casale. The slopes are very friable, so rock fall is possible, especially if there are hikers above you.

Best season: Summer months, normally from July till October. In times of tour skiing till the Forcella Casale, or, depending on skills and with appropriate gear, even on top.

Gear: Good shoes and poles are sufficient. In times of tour skiing a complete winter equipment is needed (ice pick, crampons).

Tour start: There are two options: The first is Passo Falzarego, 2105 m, or Rif. Lagazuoi, 2752 m, reachable by cable way. The second option is the trailhead near Podestagno, on the road Cortina-Dobbiaco, ca. 1300 m.

Highest point: 2912 m.

Altitudes to overcome: Without using the Lagazuoi cable way, it's 1320 m up and 500 m down (on the return, you'll need to ascend those 500 m!). Using the Lagazuoi cable car, you only need to descend into Val Travenanzes, but the ascent is still there on the return. From Podestagno trailhead it's altogether 1720 m. From the paths branching it's 920 m to the top.

Times for ascent: From Podestagno you will need 6 hours altogether (3 h to the paths branching and 3 h to the top). From Passo Falzarego you will need some 5 h 15 min (only on foot) or 4 h 45 min (using Lagazuoi cable car).

Map: Tabacco. Cortina d'Ampezzo e Dolomiti Ampezzane. 1:25000.

Route Description

1.a. Passo Falzarego - paths branching in Val Travenanzes. From the road pass, 2105 m, you start ascending by path No. 402 (Alta Via Dolomiti) towards the NE. It goes in nice switchbacks up the slopes between Lagazuoi and Torri del Falzarego. There are many paths (also marked), so be careful to stick to the main one. In 1 h 15 min it brings you up on Forcella Travenanzes, 2507 m. The nice, long valley opens ahead of you. From there you continue northeastwards (No. 401, 402). The path descends aome 100 m and branches there. The branch No. 401 goes left and looks shorter (it passes interesting areas of red soil), the branch No. 402 continues in the same direction. When it reaches Val de Travenanzes, turn left and continue by No. 404 down the valley (northwards). Now you descend till the altitude of some 2000 m, where near the side creek inflow the ascent path (No. 17) to Monte Ciaval branches left (plate!).

1.b. Podestagno - paths branching in Val Travenanzes. You start the route by taking the mountain road to Gran Fanes. Only after Ponte Alto the path into Val Travenanzes branches left. Now almost the whole long valley is ahead of you and for altogether 700 m of altitude you'll certainly need 3 h, if not some more. On the ex Travenanzes pasture you keep right on the path No. 401, which then soon brings you to the branching (plate!).

2. Val Travenanzes - Monte Ciaval. The first part of ascent takes you through the woods in the W-NW directon. The path gains some altitude and then on some 2100 m turns right (northwards). We are now already close to the timber line, the path winds up over a rugged, with dwarf pines overgrown terrain and also crosses the slopes by some nice grassy bands. On some 2200 m the path slowly starts turning left, being well marked here. Over nice, grassy slopes we approach the big scree slopes, reaching them on some 2300 m. Now it will go in tedious switchbacks up. These are following a more solid terrain, while when descending we are shoosing of course the softest screes. On some 2560 m we keep right. We must reach a small saddle below the point 2587 m - that's an important orientation point, especially when descending. From the nice grassy saddle it's worth going to the nearby war post and up on the rock with great views on Tofana di Rozes.

After crossing the grassy saddle, you are on broad even softer screes again. They really look ugly, but they are fine on a descent! Looking up you already see the right notch - Forcella Casale. The path first crosses the screes and then in long switchbacks ascends them on the right side (lookin up), where they are a bit more solid. Only just below the notch you have no choice where to go best. You must scramble up the steep, unpleasant ravine, due to possible rock fall as quickly as possible. So you exit on the notch.

On Forcella Casale we turn left and soon reach the base of Monte Ciaval. The final ascent goes up the northern slope in quite steep switchbacks. The path is just wide enough to walk up carefully, but on some places friable rock and exposition require additional attention. The turns bring us just below the summit. There the path disappears a bit and we need to carefully cross a few meters to the left, on the NE ridge. There's the mark and the remaining meters of ascent are an easy walk up again.

Descent. You can descend by the same route, or, if you are returning to Podestagno, can also descend by the north route and do a round tour. But in that case much more recommendable would be the opposite direction.

Images

View Monte Ciaval / Cavallo from Val Travenanzes Image Gallery - 10 Images