Easy alpine hikes

Easy alpine hikes

La Crusc/Santa Croce is easy to reach thanks to the chairlift La Crusc 1 and the cable car La Crusc 2.

This is the starting point of numerous Alpine hikes of various difficulty levels. Those who are professionally equipped can ascend well-known peaks like the Sasso di Santa Croce (2,907 m), Sasso delle Dieci (3,026), Lavarela (3,055) and Conturines (3,064).

Tour 1: Sas dla Crusc (Sasso Santa Croce – mt. 2907)

The Sas dla Crusc, the peak located right above the La Crusc/Santa Croce sanctuary from which it takes its name, is one of the highest mountains of Alta Badia. Sas dla Crusc is located in the Fane-Senes-Braies Natural Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the top, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of all the mountains of Alta Badia, Cortina, Val Pusteria, Val Gardena and beyond. Sas dla Crusc can be reached from the Santa Croce sanctuary along the equipped trail which leads to the Ju dla Crusc fork and continues up to the top, also known as “the Horse” (in Ladin, “L’Ciaval”).

Trails: no 7, 7/B

Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes

Difference in altitude: 863 metres

Length: 4.5 km

Difficulty: medium-to-difficult. We recommend using technical equipment suitable for climbing routes.

More info: LINK

Tour 2: Piza dales Diesc (Cima Dieci – mt. 3026)

The Cima Dieci is the peak located above the town of La Val. It offers a panoramic view of the Ladin Dolomites and the border mountain tops. To reach the top, start from the Santa Croce sanctuary; via the equipped trail, you’ll reach the Ju dla Crusc fork; continue on the plateau with magnificent views on the Fanes. The last part before the summit presents a small climbing route.

Trails: no 7, 7/B

Duration: 3h 10′

Difference in altitude: 981 metres

Lenght: 5,7 km

Difficulty: medium-to-difficult. We recommend using technical equipment suitable for climbing routes.

More info: LINK

Tour 3: Lavarela (mt. 3055)

Lavarela is the peak located just above the town of San Cascian; it is in the heart of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park and offer an exceptional view of numerous surrounding peaks of the Dolomites, including, by way of example, Tofane, Lagazuoi, Conturines, Pelmo, Civetta, Gruppo del Sella, Sassolungo, Sassongher, Putia, Sas dla Crusc and many more. Lavarela has two peaks and two crosses; the official peak, which is also the highest, faces Fanes and is not visible from below, while the other is in a frontal position and therefore is also visible from other towns.  The itinerary towards Lavarela begins at the Santa Croce sanctuary and offers a choice of two trails. The more exposed trail (without barriers or railings) follows the equipped trail towards the Ju dla Crusc fork and leads to the Forcela de Medesc (option 1). The easier trail (option 2) passes under Sasso Santa Croce and reaches the Forcela de Medesc. The part of the trail from the Forcela de Medesc to the peak is, for the most part, exposed (without protective barriers or railing) and is recommended for expert climbers only.  On the way back, we advise following the trail that crosses the Fanes meadows and leads to the Col de Locia, reaching the Alpine Hut in San Ciascian.

Trails:

Option 1: no 7, 12/B

Option 2: no 15, 12/A, 12, 12/B

Duration: 3h 50′

Difference in altitude: 1011 metres

Lenght: 6 km

Difficulty: high. For the trails option 1 we recommend using technical equipment suitable for climbing routes.

Tour 4: Conturines (mt. 3064)

Conturines is the highest peak of the Conturines-Lavarela-Sasso Santa Croce mountain range.  Located above San Cassiano, it offers a wonderful view of the Fanes plateau and the surrounding Dolomites. To reach the peak of the Conturines, you start from La Crusc, pass the Lavarela peak and then also Conturines, with two possible itineraries. The final part before the peak features a small climbing route. Conturines is recommended only to expert climbers who have the right equipment to take on climbing routes. On the way back, we advise you to follow the trail that crosses the Fanes meadows and leads to the Col de Locia, reaching the Alpine Hut in San Ciascian.

Trails:

Option 1: no 7, 12/B

Option 2: no 15, 12/A, 12, 12/B

Duration: 4h 50′

Difference in altitude: 1019 metres

Lenght: 7 km

Difficulty: high. We recommend using technical equipment suitable for climbing routes.

More info: LINK

VIDEO: here you can see some images of an excursion to the Ju dla Crusc fork, on the equipped trail.