Discover what to do in Livinallongo del Col di Lana in Province of Belluno: the Andraz Castle, a hike from Passo Val Parola to Col di Lana, and the alpine brigade bivouac. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Livinallongo del Col di Lana?
The municipality of Livinallongo del Col di Lana borders north east with Badia, north west with Corvara in Badia, south with Rocca Pietore, east with Cortina d’Ampezzo and Colle Santa Lucia, and west with Canazei.
Andraz Castle
Located in castello area (46.50451092614746, 11.989110366851014), the majestic medieval fortress stands alone on a rocky spur at the foot of Sass de la Stria, from whose commanding position it was possible to observe the roads coming from Belluno, Agordo, Bressanone, Val Badia and Ampezzano.
Wrapped in an aura of ancient charm and mystery, Andraz Castle is one of the municipality’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks, an ideal destination for anyone wondering what to do in Livinallongo del Col di Lana. For more information, visit www.castellodiandraz.it.
From Passo Valparola to Col di Lana
The starting point of the itinerary is Rifugio Passo Valparola, a welcoming mountain hut surrounded by a bright grassy expanse, located at 2168 metres a.s.l., a short distance from Lago di Valparola. The icy body of water is overlooked to the east by Monte Lagazuoi, to the south by Sass de Stria, and to the west by the Settass group.
The first part of the route runs along the slopes of Settass, a mountain range in the northern Dolomites whose highest peak reaches 2571 metres above sea level.
We follow the historic Col di Lana trail no. 23 and cross bright grassy slopes dotted, in spring and summer, with buttercups, daisies, eyebright and Vicia Cracca, the latter recognizable by its purple flowers gathered in distinctive spike-like inflorescences.
The Sief bivouac and the Siefhangstellung
The route leads to the Sief bivouac (46.51444571223031, 11.95878901899351), from whose panoramic position, at 2270 metres above sea level, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Passo Sief and Col di Lana, one of the most photogenic spots along the route. The mountain shelter stands a short distance from an Austro-Hungarian Wasserwache position dating back to the First World War.
After crossing Passo Sief, the dirt path leads to the summit of the mountain of the same name, running alongside the trench built along the ridge of the hill, known in German as Siefhangstellung, that is, the position on the Sief slope. A plaque states that the Austrian position, at 2424 metres above sea level, remained firmly in Austrian hands until the end of the Great War. Particularly striking is the Sief mine crater, the result of a detonation triggered by the Austro-Hungarians on 21 October 1917 in the context of mine warfare.
The Cadore Alpine Brigade bivouac and the Col di Lana church
Through one of the tunnels carved into the rock, the extraordinary mass of Col di Lana comes into view.
The final stop on the route is the Bivacco Brigata Alpina Cadore, located on Col di Lana at 2462 metres a.s.l. opposite the lovely Col di Lana church. Surrounded by the UNESCO-listed Belluno Dolomites, the latter is recognizable by its graceful bell tower topped with a metal cross.
If you are wondering what to do in Livinallongo del Col di Lana, this hike is recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in the quiet, unspoiled environment of the Dolomites and visit the places where some of the fiercest clashes of the First World War took place.
