The Alta Via 9 “la Trasversale” owes its name to the crosswise direction it runs in, unlike all other Alte Vie of the Dolomites, which run up and down instead.
With its 180 kilometres from Lavina Bianca (BZ) to Santo Stefano di Cadore (BL), it follows the ridge line that from Scillar reaches Val Visdende. The route is long but not complicated, and is divided into 14 stages. It will take you to areas with more visitors, many places to stop and rest, and treat you to spectacular landscapes and striking stretches.
Starting at high altitude arriving from convenient trails, the Alta Via runs along the southern ridge of Catinaccio-Rosengarten, passing by Sassopiatto mountain shelter, Piz Boè and Campolongo Pass to Pralongia mountain shelter. From here you get a fantastic view of the imposing Sella mountain range and the Sassolungo group.
Once you reach the Eastern Dolomites, the Alta Via ascends through the Valparola and Falzarego passes. From the view of the Lagazuoi mountain shelter you should not miss, through the easy but vertiginous Astaldi equipped path, it takes you to Pomedes mountain shelter overlooking Cortina.
From Cortina d’Ampezzo, you ascend on Cristallo to the Son Forca mountain shelter: from here crossing a beautiful path takes you to the Cadini di Misurina and to Col de Varda mountain shelter, and then to Auronzo mountain shelter, on equipped trails and an ancient military trail.
After the Carducci mountain shelter, the Alta Via becomes evocative, following the “Strada degli Alpini” equipped trail up to the Sentinel Pass. It then descends through Vallon Popera to Berti mountain shelter and, crossing the Forcella dei Camosci, arrives at Piovan bivouac. Among magnificent views of Val Comelico, it reaches San Antonio Pass and then Danta, with its view of Piave Valley, before finally descending to Santo Stefano di Cadore.
