Piz Boè Summit Trail from Passo Pordoi (via Sentiero 627)

Today we had actually planned a nice tour with a good view, but you can't plan the weather. For this reason there aren't many photos. Our mountain guide also brought us back through the fog safely.

Fausto greets us from his monument on the road at Passo Pordoi. Motorcycles pass by, cyclists take photos with his blessing, but we ignore him. The Forcella is calling. We climb about 500 meters in altitude over 2.4 kilometers, first over meadows and then over scree. Because it's so beautiful, we continue through the shady mountains to the Rifugio Piz Boe. Fascinating landscapes that take on a somewhat mystical quality due to the changing clouds. We make our way back without visiting Piz Boe, as the clouds have darkened further. Then hikers to our right are off the path, and as we get closer, first three, then four ibex appear, ruminating unfazed. A clear case of correct self-assessment: they are the kings here. Slowly they fade away into the fog, replaced by barking dogs. Three lapdogs in Christmas sweaters loudly accompany their family. Thanks to good maps, we find the mountain station in the haze and head off, as the descent would have been long and scree-covered, not ideal. It's fantastic and not too crowded. A total of 900 meters of elevation gain, as Komoot has stolen it again.

We were impressed by the Piz Boé massif last year, so this year we wanted to climb it and see the "lunar landscape" at the top. 😉 We started at the top station of the Sass Pordoi gondola 🚠. Even from there, we had a magnificent view of the Marmolada, the Sassolungo, and many other mountains. Since the paths up to Piz Boé were simply too crowded (we had hoped it wouldn't be that crowded on a Monday 🫣), we decided to go to the Rifugio Boé 🏚. One or two places were secured with ropes, but easily doable. We were completely amazed by this breathtaking landscape the entire way. 🗻🤩 We could see as far as the Gross Venediger and the Gross Glockner. 🗻😊👍🏼 We returned to the Rifugio Forcella 🏚 and from there we descended back to the valley.

We had been talking about doing this Forcella for a long time and today with my friend Giorgio we made this wish possible. I must say that the difference in altitude is not excessive but you feel it for how much has been done in a few km. Arriving at Forcella Pordoi was a great satisfaction as well as a great effort and once we reached it, a panorama opened up that was nothing short of wonderful which lasted only about half an hour because climbing the ramps to get to Capanna Fassa, threatening clouds above us obscured the beauty of the surroundings. I must say that to get to Piz Boè and the subsequent descent to Malga Boè, it was really hard also because of the rather consistent slopes. A lot of effort, but in compensation and despite everything, a great ride.

The tour starts at the Pordoi Pass at 2239 m. After a gentle climb over meadow paths, the gradient increases steadily. Thanks to the rough, rocky ground, the climb is strenuous. When we arrived at the Pordoi saddle, a large pile of snow and the Forcella Pordoi hut (2848 m) awaited us. After a little refreshment, we set off for the summit of Piz Boe (3152 m). The summit is considered to be one of the easiest 3000m peaks in the Dolomites to climb. Because of this and the cable car that leads to the mountain plateau, there were a lot of hikers on the way. The path on the plateau was still mostly snow-covered, but easy to walk. The climb to the summit was interesting and varied, as there were always small climbing sections. Once you get to the top, you are rewarded with a fantastic panoramic view. The descent to the Bamberger hut is less spectacular, you just have to stay focused. We had a little refreshment at the Bamberger Hut before heading through the snowfields to the summit station of the cable car. We ended the tour at the summit station and took the cable car back to the Pardoi Joch. Alternatively, you can of course walk back down. A fantastic tour, but unfortunately very crowded, so you have to allow yourself some time on some sections. At times we had the impression that we were on Mount Everest, as the images of the people queuing up on the ascent were very similar.

Today we took the bus back to the Val Gardena, then to the Sella Pass and then to the Pordoi Pass. From there, a cable car goes up to the Piz Boe high plateau. Some participants rode up, and a group of seven hiked steeply uphill. On the plateau, the route continued in an arc to the summit massif. There were a lot of people, especially on the plateau and then towards the summit of Piz Boe. And it was completely crowded at the top. But that wasn't really a problem; the joy of this proper summit hike clearly outweighed anything. On the way down you had to be careful of the many stones; it was easy to slip.

Interesting hike, the majority of the scenery does look like a lunar landscape. Not a difficult hike, but very popular so you can expect a lot of people after 10am. Came across a group of guys who were about to base jump in Wingsuites....rather them than me. Overall an interesting hike.

Today, an easy hike (cable car ride up) on the Pordoi. From Sass Pordoi to Capanna Fassa, then to the Boè refuge and back to the Pordoi Pass via the Pordoi pass. Stunning locations, a "lunar" atmosphere with spectacular views. Finally, a beautiful day without any thunderstorms.