Drive north towards Dobbiaco, go past Hotel Fiames and continue for 800 m. Turn left into the narrow road leading to the entryway of the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites.
A gate interrupts the road 500 m ahead next to the Park information office. Leave the car and walk along the paved road for about 1.5 km as far as a small bridge over the amazing pond created by Rio de Fanes torrent: this area is called Pian de Loa.
Continue uphill on the dirt road leading to Fanes Waterfalls. After 30 minutes and some rather steep stretches, you reach Ponte Outo (high bridge, 1380 m asl) over the Rio Travenanzes canyon.
A few metres further up, near a few benches on your right, wear your via Ferrata equipment and start exploring the waterfalls and the canyons along this amazing loop trail.
The confluence of Fanes and Travenanzes valleys towards Pian de Loa’s bowl offers one of the most spectacular natural beauties of the Park: the high waterfalls and deep canyons, that the streams cascade down the slope to cover the drops left by glaciations on the valley, are unique in the Dolomites.
The equipped trail is suitable for every hiker, however there are some exposed sections that should be avoided by those who do not have a head for the heights. The safety iron cable will lead you along an exposed, though level, trail that runs behind the first lower waterfall of Rio Fanes. The trail continues beyond the waterfall and down a short stretch on rocky terrain equipped with an iron ladder to ease the climb.
From the bottom of the canyon, you will see the second and highest waterfall, cross the stream over the small iron bridge and climb back to the start along a beautiful exposed ledge, well equipped for protection.
The way back is along the same route.
Transport services:
Local bus service is available to Fiames.
The start of the itinerary may be approached by e-bike.
Rest stop:
Spiaggia Verde: Ph. +39 349 599 4229
