Discover what to do in Auronzo di Cadore in Province of Belluno: the Auronzo cycle path – Tre Cime, La Zopa refuge, Monte Agudo refuge. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Auronzo di Cadore?
The municipality of Auronzo di Cadore borders northeast with Sesto, northwest with Dobbiaco, south with Calalzo di Cadore, southeast with Domegge di Cadore, Lozzo di Cadore and Vigo di Cadore, southwest with San Vito di Cadore, east with Comelico di Cadore, Danta di Cadore and Santo Stefano di Cadore, and west with Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Monte Agudo
The Auronzo – Tre Cime cycle path
The starting point of the route is the car park near the Auronzo lifts, at the wooden bridge (46.560196533426556, 12.419768310259437). The first part of the route heads northwest along the Auronzo – Misurina cycle and pedestrian path, which runs along the right bank of the Ansiei, a tributary of the Piave that begins from the crystal-clear springs of Lago d’Antorno, a short distance from Lago di Misurina.
The trail to Val Darin
Shaded by the dense vegetation of firs, poplars, willows, acacias and many other lush tall trees, the trail offers striking views of the white expanse of pebbles smoothed by the winding torrent. Once you reach Ponte in Via Val Darin, leave the cycle path and take the road to Val Darin heading southwest.
Overlooked by the wooded slopes of the Marmarole, the winding route plunges into the fairytale atmosphere of an ancient conifer forest dominated by the majestic snow-covered summit of Cimon del Froppa, rising on the horizon. The visitor is greeted by a spectacular view of silent forests brushed by a icy watercourse sparkling in the sun.
Chalet La Rotonda and Rifugio La Zopa
Continue along the paved road until you find Chalet La Rotonda (Via Val da Rin, 3) on your right, then carry on along the main road for about one and a half kilometres and cross the bridge over the stream on your left, as indicated by the wooden signs for La Zopa (km 3, min. 40) and for rifugio Monte Agudo.
After crossing the bridge, the well-marked mule track continues among towering firs, whose sharp crowns provide shelter for squirrels and roe deer.
From Rifugio La Zopa to rifugio Monte Agudo
Located at 1360 metres above sea level, Rifugio La Zopa is harmoniously set in a bright meadow, around which the rocky peaks of the Marmarole stand proudly. From here the route winds along the ski slope until it reaches the summit of Monte Agudo, an ideal destination for skiers and hiking enthusiasts wondering what to do in Auronzo di Cadore.
Panoramic Views from Monte Agudo
The effort of the walk is rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the Eastern Dolomites, the Popera group and the Croda dei Toni, whose mass rises to 3,094 metres above sea level. From the privileged position of Monte Agudo (1663 m), looking west you are enchanted by the grandeur of the Marmarole (Croda Bianca: 2841 m; Cresta degli Invalidi: 2783; Cimon del Froppa: 2932, Punta Teresa: 2868 m; Cima Sella Est: 2851 m)
To the south rise the Monti del Comelico, to the southwest the gaze embraces the Dolomiti Ampezzane, among which the Tofana di Mezzo stands out for its solemnity and grandeur (3244 m). To the northwest you can see the Cadini di Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Cima Ovest: 2973 m; Cima Grande: 2999 m; Cima Piccola 2857 m)
To the southeast, you can admire Lago di Auronzo, a blue jewel set between the Marmarole, the Eastern Dolomites and the Gruppo dei Brentoni.
After admiring the exceptional landscape from rifugio Monte Agudo, a reference point for those wondering what to do in Auronzo di Cadore, retrace your steps to Rifugio La Zopa, then take trail 271 to return to the starting point.
