Discover what to do in Domegge di Cadore in Province of Belluno: Rifugio Cercenà, Rifugio Padova, Rifugio Tita Barba. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Domegge di Cadore?
The municipality of Domegge di Cadore borders north with Auronzo di Cadore, south with Cimolais, east with Lozzo di Cadore, Lorenzago di Cadore and Forni di Sopra, west with Calalzo di Cadore and Pieve di Cadore.
Heading to Rifugio Cercenà
The starting point of the route is the parking area in Navarre (46.457282429452626, 12.421440623203337), north of the Domegge Bridge. A little further south, the course of the Piave River flows into Lake Cadore, a freezing body of water formed in the mid-20th century with the construction of the dam on the river sacred to the homeland in Località Sottocastello.
Nestled in the heart of the Valle del Cadore, the clear artificial basin is overlooked to the north by the colossal snow-covered mass of Monte Brentoni, rising to 2,548 meters above sea level. To the east, the lake shores brush against the wooded slopes of Monte Cridola, Crodon di Giaf and Spalti del Toro. To the west stands out the summit of Monte Antelao, which, at 3,264 meters high, earns the silver medal as the second-highest peak in the Dolomites.
We leave the left bank of the Piave behind us and take the road of Val Talagona heading southwest, following the signs for Rifugio Padova and Rifugio Cercenà. The paved road winds for 4 km in the shade of beech and fir trees.
From Rifugio Cercenà to Rifugio Padova
Located at an altitude of 1050 meters in the Crìdola group, the alpine shelter blends harmoniously into a lush meadow area crossed by a clear stream. An ideal place to take a break, enjoy a moka coffee and savour local culinary specialties, from platters of cured meats to selections of top-quality cheeses, this lovely corner of nature is made even livelier by the presence of goats, pigs and donkeys.
Once the stop at Rifugio Cercenà is over, we set off again by following the road that winds along the Talagona stream. After just under 4 km, we reach Rifugio Padova, located at 1287 meters above sea level in Pra di Toro. Recognizable by its red roof and shutters, the enchanting stone-and-wood hut is wrapped in a sunlit grassy expanse framed by the peaks of Montanel, Cridola, Crodon di Giaf and Spalti di Toro.
The thriving wooded park includes a playground with wooden playhouses, slides and sculptures of animals, gnomes and other magical creatures that inhabit the forest.
From Rifugio Padova to Rifugio Tita Barba
At this point we follow the signs for trail 352 to Rifugio Tita Barba. The trail leads to Casel de Col, a pretty wooden hut in front of which there is a curved bench facing a fire-lighting station. Inside the Casel there is a cauldron hanging from a tripod.
After crossing a little bridge over a bubbling stream, we continue towards Località Valle, and once there we take the path on the right that runs alongside a bivouac and leads to Località Le Palù, at 1660 meters above sea level.
From here the route crosses the bright Casera Verdocia, an ideal destination for photography lovers wondering what to do in Domegge di Cadore, from which there is a wide-ranging view of the main mountain groups of Comelico and Cadore.
The conclusion of the loop trail
After visiting Rifugio Tita Barba, at 1821 meters above sea level, the trail heads southeast until it reaches 1910 meters above sea level. At Forcella Spe, the route crosses a vast stretch of gravel and stones, then enters the forest and brings us back to Località Valle, where it rejoins the path we took on the way up.
If you are wondering what to do in Domegge di Cadore, this itinerary is quite demanding, but the effort of the hike is rewarded by breathtaking panoramic views of the heart of the Dolomites of Cadore.
