Our autumn mountain tour starts at the parking space on the Prato Piazza highland in the Valle di Braies valley, accessible from the hamlet of Ponticello on a 10 km long toll mountain road open until 10 am in the morning (afterwards by shuttle service). We follow the wide path no. 37 to the Rif. Prato Piazza mountain hut where the trail no. 40 towards the summit branches off. Slightly uphill we walk to a junction and keep left on the path towards the Picco di Vallandro. The 3,234 m high Croda Rossa on the other side of the valley, the highest peak of the Braies Dolomites, dominates the landscape. Having the Prato Piazza highland at our feet we reach the timber line.

The terrain gets steeper, but the path is still well passable and secured by iron stairs. The higher we get, the more the view opens up on the surrounding peaks of the Dolomites such as the Cima Nove and Cima Dieci, Mt. Cima Cadin di Sennes, Mt. Croda del Becco, the Three Peaks of Lavaredo and the Rondoi-Baranci Group.

We reach the pre-summit and finally - along a section secured by ropes - the summit of the 2,839 m high Picco di Vallandro in the Braies Dolomites. From the summit cross we enjoy the breathtaking view on the Sesto Dolomites, the Cristallo Group, the Fanes Group and far beyond the Dolomites. The way back follows the same trail, we recommend a stop at the lovely Rif. Prato Piazza mountain hut.

Please note: Mt. Picco di Vallandro is one of the most beautiful panoramic mountains of the Dolomites. Due to the starting point at the 1,990 m high Prato Piazza highland, the summit can be climbed in a rather short and easy hike - there's only one section secured by ropes. The area is highly frequented at the weekends in high summer, the best season for this mountain tour is early autumn! The Picco di Vallandro is also a popular summit for sunrise hikes and ski tours.

Author: BS