From Mandres to Fraina

This beautiful itinerary along the slopes of Mt Faloria takes you to a fairy-tale environemnt amid the legends of Mt Ciasadiò and ends up in the clearings above Baita Fraina.

Route

4.6 km

Time

2-3 hours

elevation gain

83 m

elevation loss

333 m

From Cortina centre take the Faloria cable-car up to Mandres intermediate station.

Wear your snowshoes and start hiking along a well signposted road. After a level stretch, descend for a few hundred metres, then follow signs for CAI trail No. 220 to Fraina, leading through a beautiful thin larch forest. These trees, as all conifers do, love light and sun and prefer terrain subject to landslides as those crossed by this itinerary.

These woods are home to the red squirrel. These cute rodents build their nests up the trees to avoid becoming the meal of birds of prey. They mainly feed on pine and broad-leaved seeds, fruit, barks, eggs, and small insects.

With little elevation gain you reach “Ra Crepedeles”, the cliffs where you can see the “Door of the Silvan God”, a huge rectangular-shaped niche visible on the rocky face, theatre of numberless legends and fairy-tales. A steep descent leads to a vast clearing above the Meneguto Farmhouse, where the hike ends.

Remove your snowshoes and walk along the road to Baita Fraina for a well deserved rest.

Continue downhill for 10 minutes as far as Cojana, where you intersect the former railway path to return to Cortina.

Though we feel a tour guide is not necessary, hiring a mountain guide for your complete safety is always a good idea.

Rest stop: Ristorante Baita Fraina: Ph. +39  0436 3634

Recommended period:

From December to March

Recommended clothing:

Adequate winter hiking clothing and thin gloves. Backpack containing a spare layer.

Minimum recommended age:

14 years

Route features:

Ungroomed forest road

Hazards:

Check weather forecast and snow conditions. Not recommended in case of lack of snow or icy patches. Do not venture in case of low visibility.

Exposure:

Low

Remoteness:

Medium

Other snowshoeing itineraries:

easy

Pian Ra Valles Trail

Pian Ra Valles trail, leisurely hike at 2400 m of altitude, offers breathtaking views over the Queen of the Dolomites and its spectacular surrounding peaks.

easy

Lake d’Ajal

From Malga Peziè de Parù, a charming snowshoeing hike, through the forest of Abrizzola, will take you to the scenic Lake d’Ajal. The return to Cortina goes by the Volpera caves and through Mortija Village

medium

Cason di Rozes – Ospedaletti

Beautiful itinerary along the sunny slopes of Col di Bos to visit the ruins of the First World War hospital village, under the curious eyes of the chamois.

Our offers:

Snowshoes are provided with adjustable ski poles to help you keep your balance, and snow gaiters to keep your boots dry.

1 day

13 €

2 days

24 €

3 days

33 €

4 days

40 €

5 days

46 €

6 days

50 €

+1 days

4 €

Livelli di difficoltà

Facile: Nell’insieme piatto o poco pendente. Non ci sono pendii ripidi nelle immediate vicinanze. Nessun pericolo di scivolamenti o cadute esposte.

Medio: Nell’insieme piatto o poco pendente. Pendii ripidi nelle immediate vicinanze. Nessun pericolo di scivolamenti o cadute esposte.

Difficile: Nell’insieme poco o moderatamente pendente. Brevi passaggi ripidi. Pericolo di scivolamenti corti non escluso.

Intenso: Moderatamente pendente. Brevi passaggi ripidi e/o traversate di versanti, parzialmente cosparsi di rocce. Ghiacciaio povero di crepacci. Pericolo di scivolamenti con rischio di ferimento. Pericolo di cadute esposte non escluso. Conoscenze di base dell’ambiente alpino. Buona tecnica di progressione.

Estremo: Brevi passaggi ripidi e/o traversate di versanti e/o passaggi rocciosi. Ghiacciaio. Pericolo di cadute esposte. Pericoli alpini. Buone conoscenze dell’ambiente alpino. Sicurezza nella progressione.

Grading system

Easy: flat or slightly steep overall. No steep slopes in the immediate vicinity. No danger of slipping or falling.

Medium: flat or slightly steep overall. Steep slopes in the immediate vicinity. No danger of slipping or falling.

Difficult: slightly to moderately steep overall. Short passages steeper than the generally indicated steepness. Low risk of slipping.

Severe: moderately steep. Short steeper passages and/or crossing of slopes partly interspersed with rocks. Glacier with few crevasses. Danger of slipping with risk of injury, low risk of falling. Good knowledge of the mountain environment, good walking technique.

Extreme:   challenging steep passages and/or crossing of slopes and/or rock steps. Glacier with many crevasses. Danger of falling. Alpine hazards. Very good knowledge of the alpine environment. Safe walking in rocks, firn, and ice.

Please read!

Snow Service does not organize tours nor offers guiding services. We only suggest the safest and easiest itineraries you can enjoy with our products.