When my buddy Brian and I decided we wanted to hike through the Dolomites, we were interested in getting a good taste of what the region had to offer in the limited time we had. To do that, we hired an outfitter that planned and booked our stays for the three days we hiked hut to hut. I did a bunch of research on the many companies offering plans and eventually settled with Dolomite Mountains. We were explicit in telling Anna, our point of contact with the company, that we were capable young men that wanted to endure some long hikes and I'd say she delivered.
On our first day of hiking, Brian and I woke up early at our little bed and breakfast in Cortina D'Ampezzo and were picked up in a van with a few others. After an hour drive north through the mountains, we arrived at Lago di Brais, an area that has become a famous Instagram spot because of it's incredibly blue lake and gorgeous setting amongst the mountains. Upon starting our hikes, we had no idea we were being brought here which was a pleasure surprise. I must say there is an element of Instagram vs. Reality at this location due to it's relative easy to get to. Think Glacier Point or Tunnel View in Yosemite or Lake Louise in Banff.
We arrived early in the morning, before the boat house opened, and were anxious to get on the trail and therefore did not wait to take pictures of the boats in the water.
The days hike would take us south from Lago di Brais to Rifugio Sennes (map). We began by hiking around the western side of the lake. During this time, there was a helicopter that was making repeated runs of large planks of wood from the lake back up into the canyon we'd eventually climb up into. The way the pilot was flying his rig around was incredibly captivating and Brian and I stopped to watch several times.
People on the western shore watch the helicopter swoop in for a landing.
As soon as we made it to the southern side of the lake we began a steady climb that would take us up into and out that canyon the helicopter was flying into. The trail screamed avalanche zone as there was evidence of rock slides and the presence of only very young trees were telltale signs. Hiking through this made my imagination run wild.
A look back down at Lago di Brais.
As we climbed the helicopter would keep flying back and forth over head and eventually we reached the area where it was making it's deliveries to. While we were hiking in mid June, this was still early in the season and repairs to the trail were being made. Apparently a wood bridge had been damaged presumably from snow in the winter and wood was being flown up from the lake. Bad ass. Sadly, I didn't think to get any photos as I was caught up in the admiration of the skills of the helicopter pilot and what it might be like to have a job like that.
An incredible view of Lago di Brais and the snow capped mountains to the north.
As the lake below disappeared behind us and we pushed forward, the rocky nature of the trail stayed true and we continued to weave our way through fields of large rock fall.
The presence of this rockfall suggests this is a rather active area for Mother Nature.
Brian posing as we climb up a wall.
Over and over, we would think we'd be finished climbing out of a canyon only to reach a false summit and another huge set of huge walls for us to climb through readily welcoming us.
A new canyon waiting for us to attack it.
Rocks, rocks and more rocks.
After about three and a half hours, we made it out of the canyon and happened upon Rifugio Biella which was situated almost perfectly half way to our end point. We decided this was a perfect spot for lunch perched ourselves up on a hill that overlooked the incredibly gorgeous expanse that flanked the rifugio on all sides.
The view from lunch. Rifugio Biella sits below.
We kept our lunch brief as the sky was littered with clouds and the light breeze mixed with the blocked sun created a chill we quickly wanted to forget. Into the hilly expanse we went.
Brian leads the way into the hilly expanse.
The rest of the hike was predominantly flat with the exception of some small hills so periodically, we stopped here and there amidst the existence of large rocks to take pics.
Human included for scale. Can you spot Brian?
Brian takes in the view from one of the many hills we hiked over.
About an hour and a half after lunch, we made it to Rifigio Sennes. This being our first experience with a hut in the Dolomites, we were extremely happy and excited with what we arrived to.
Rifugio Sennes.
We promptly checked in and dropped our bags in our rooms and hopped downstairs for a celebratory beer from the bar and admired the view from the deck outside. This place was incredible. The amenities for being a building in the middle of the mountains far exceeded our expectations.
The view from my bed.
After a drink, we decided to go for a walk in the huge open field that we later decided was a landing strip for small planes and take "Tinder pics."
Studly.
Felt cute, might delete later.
Digging the sandals.
As the sun peeked behind the mountains, the chill in the air increased and we found ourselves being chased back to the friendly heated confines of the rifugio and the dinner we would shortly be served after our arrival and therefore called our adventure for the day. What a day it was.
It was a good day.
Last light on the mountains to the south.
