Snowshoeing
For those who enjoy snowshoeing on high-altitude deep snow trails, our area offers two scenic trails amongst the pristine landscapes of the Dolomiti’s peaks of the Tofane Mountains.
Trail Pian Ra Valles
Difficulty: medium
Walking time: 1.30 h
Elevation: 2470 m
Departure: Ra Valles, next to the cable car station
Finish: Ra Valles, next to the cable car station
This trail can only be reached by the Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo gondola and cable car, which departs from the center of Cortina (Via Stadio, 12). Having purchased the ticket or ski pass to Ra Valles, you reach an elevation of 2470 m. You leave the cable car boarding level by following the signs to the ski slopes and, once on the snow, keep to the right. A sign placed on the slope indicates the starting point of the trail and gives the main directions for snowshoeing in total safety: it is important to follow the trail marked by the orange poles, keeping to the left of them. The Pian Ra Valles Trail starts immediately with a descent that leads to a semi-flat area, then it makes a loop and returns to the cable car station after a short but intense climb. The trail is especially pleasant to take after a snowfall because it allows you to snowshoe in fresh snow and have fun on the descent, while on the ascent it allows you to test your skills. Once back at the cable car station, it is possible to continue snowshoeing on the Cacciatori Trail or enjoy a break at the Capanna Ra Valles Restaurant before descending back to Cortina, again using the lifts.
Cacciatori Trail
Difficulty: medium
Walking time: 1.30 h
Altitude: 2470 m + 100 m elevation gain
Start: Ra Valles, next to the cable car station
Finish: Ra Valles, next to the cable car station
This trail can only be reached by the Tofana – Freccia nel Cielo gondola and cable car, which departs from the center of Cortina (Via Stadio, 12). Having purchased the ticket or ski pass for Ra Valles, you reach an altitude of 2470 m. Leaving the cable car boarding level, follow the signs for the ski slopes and, once on the snow, keep left. A sign, placed on the slope leading to the restaurant, indicates the starting point of the trail and gives the main directions for snowshoeing in total safety: it is important to follow the path marked by the orange posts, keeping to the left of them. Continue the gentle ascent partially skirting the ski slope. We recommend every now and then to make a few stops to enjoy the view: going up you can admire, in all their beauty, Cima Tofana and Bus Tofana as well as Pian Ra Valles with its slopes and surrounding peaks, benefiting from an unusual viewpoint. Once halfway along the slope, at a chairlift support pillar, the trail turns left leading to some ridges: at this point all efforts will pay off with a breathtaking view of the Pearl of the Dolomites (Cortina d’Ampezzo). The lucky ones will also be able to spot the footprints of some animals such as hares, chamois and stoats. After taking as many pictures as possible, the trail continues, this time downhill, always following the orange poles that, with a loop trail, will lead hikers back to the terrace of Capanna Ra Valles.
