Cortina Day Hike #213

July 17, 2022

The hikes around Cortina are categorized by number. Our hike was #213.

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When I climbed the five flights of stairs back to the room after breakfast this morning, my legs cried, "Uncle". After yesterday's ride up to Tre Cima, another ride today was completely out of the question. Besides, we need our legs for tomorrow's 'Queen Stage' of this tour; a ride over Passo Giau and Passo Fedaia on route to Canazei, our next stop on this tour. This means two big passes in one day. The accumulated elevation for tomorrow's ride is over 2200m. So, let's take it easy, eh legs?

So, Sue and I decided on a 'gondola assist' hike today.

Hiker's legs on the Faloria cable car which easily whisks us up to over 2100m above sea level. Easy elevation.

We really had no plan about where we were headed once we got to the top. It's pretty hard to get lost around here as there are a myriad of hiking trails, signage and refugios scattered everywhere around Cortina. It's not like Canada....at all. There is very little 'real wilderness' left in Europe, having been occupied by humans for several thousand millennia. It's sad, but true. There are no (or very, very few) bears, cougars, wolves, or any large mammals left free to roam as there is so little intact habitat left. When we are at home hiking our North Shore mountains, you are always aware that there may be large mammals much larger and stronger than you; and they can easily take you out if they want to. I suppose the big dangers here in Cortina are collapsing glaciers due to climate change. Another thing that is sad, but true.

During the gondola ride up, we had a short but pleasant chat with a fellow from Miami who had been hiking for the past month in the area, and he pointed us in the direction of a ridge hike that might suit us well. So, we followed his advice and sought out his recommended hike. Hike #213.

Hike #213. Each hike in the Cortina region is numbered. Easy, but not very creative.

The hike was spectacular. So, what else is there really to say then let the photos speak for themselves. Think of this entry as a photo montage.

Susanna climbing away from Refugio Faloria where the gondola conveniently dropped us off. Looming in the back is Mount Cristallo at 3,221 m. This mountain defines the backdrop of Cortina d'Ampezzo.

This shot is looking northwest towards the Tre Cima that I rode up yesterday. They are shrouded by cloud, though.

Any guesses as to what this tiny delicate mass of alpine flowers is?

This walk was spectacular with open and expansive views across the valley north towards Mount Cristallo, and also towards the northwest to the Tre Cima group. Sue and I walked in silence for much of the day, never really feeling the need to talk. It was amazing how quiet the day was. The sounds of the bees in the meadows and the breeze was all the sounds we needed to hear, and we spent the day appreciating and being grateful for what we were experiencing. It's not lost on us how lucky we are.