Discover what to do in San Nicolò di Comelico in Province of Belluno: Rifugio de Dòo, Monte Zovo, Sasso Grigio. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is San Nicolò di Comelico located?
The municipality of San Nicolò di Comelico borders Austria to the north, Danta di Cadore to the south, San Pietro di Cadore and Santo Stefano di Cadore to the east, and Comelico Superiore to the west.
Hike on Monte Zovo
From the church of Costa to De Dòo hut
The starting point of the itinerary is in Costa, where you can leave your car in the parking area behind the Church of San Daniele di Costa. De Dòo hut can also be reached by car.
The church of San Daniele
Rebuilt in the 19th century, this place of worship, originally dating back to the 17th century, stands out for its white double-pitched façade facing west. Framed by a decorative faux ashlar motif, the sturdy wooden portal is topped by a large semicircular window. Completing the vertical development of the structure, which is frescoed inside, is the triangular pediment, with a quadrilobate opening at the center of the tympanum. Built into the north side of the building, the soaring bell tower has a clock with Arabic numerals, placed above the bell chamber on the north, south and west sides.
We leave the church façade behind and follow Via Costa for 450 meters, passing by the cemetery of San Nicolò di Comelico. At this point (46.59112583827159, 12.532291855441855) we find the signs for trail CAI 165.
The Comelico panorama
The winding scenic road crosses a sunlit meadow dotted with ancient barns and distinctive homes in wood and exposed stone. In spring and summer, the green expanse takes on the bright hues of buttercups and “occhi della Madonna”. On clear days, turning your gaze south you will easily be enchanted by the solemn snow-covered bulk of the Brentoni and Popera group, whose peaks include Monte Col (2079 metres a.s.l.), Monte Aiarnola (2456 metres a.s.l.), Croda da Campo (2712 metres a.s.l.), Cima Bagni (2983 metres a.s.l.) and Croda dei Toni (3,094 metres a.s.l.).
The Rifugio De Dòo
With an elevation gain of about 4 km, the comfortable dirt road winds through conifer forests and bright grassy stretches for about 4 km until reaching Rifugio De Dòo.
Situated at 1862 meters above sea level, Rifugio de Dòo blends harmoniously into the foot of Monte Zovo. From the hut’s panoramic terrace, you can enjoy a splendid wide-ranging view of the forests that cloak the solemn peaks of Comelico. Entirely built of wood, the refuge is an ideal destination for cycling enthusiasts and for hikers who want to reach the summit of Monte Zovo, rising to 1943 meters above sea level.
For more information about the hut’s services and menu, you can visit www.rifugiodedoo.it.
What to do in San Nicolò di Comelico? From Monte Zovo to Sasso Grigio
After the stop at the hut, we follow trail 165a to reach, in about fifteen or twenty minutes, the summit of Monte Zovo (the hike starts about one hundred meters before Rifugio De Dòo). Pleasant and free of technical difficulties, the walk is also suitable for families with children. Going downhill toward Rifugio de Dòo, we come to a fork with signs for Sasso Grigno (1896 meters a.s.l.), shaded by a majestic forest where deep silence reigns.
