The Alta Via 4 in the Dolomites, or “Alta Via di Grohmann,” in memory of the mountain climber who first tamed the dolomite giants found on this Alta Via, will require practice and experience, because of the presence of numerous iron road sections, but you will be rewarded with spectacular scenery.
With its 85 kilometres divided into 6 stages, it starts in San Candido-Innichen (BZ) and ends in Pieve di Cadore (BL).
The route begins in San Candido, with the peaks of Tre Scarperi and Croda dei Baranci in the background and immediately leads to the spectacular balcony with a view of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo of the Locatelli shelter.
From here to the Auronzo mountain shelter, you can choose the route most suitable for tourists, easy and very scenic, or go through Forcella Col di Mezzo in a grandiose lonely and silent environment.
The route then climbs through paths and tunnels built by Alpine Guides between 1915 and 1916.
From Fonda Savio Brothers mountain shelter three trails and an iron road lead to the Città di Carpi mountain shelter.
Very technical is the iron road which crosses rock jumps and ledges to the Comici bivouac, above Val d Ansiei.
Hence another choice: the isolated Minazio equipped path or the long path, through mugo pines and scree, leading to the Galassi mountain hut nearby Monte Antelao, “the King of the Dolomites.”
The final stage is worth all the effort, if just for the incredible view spanning from the Antelao mountain shelter to Spalti di Toro, Cridola and the southern ridge of Marmarole.
The descent takes you first to the hamlet of Pozzale and then to Pieve di Cadore (link), Titian’s town.
