What to do at high altitude

The valley of Sappada is a corner of high mountains suspended at 1250 metres above sea level, enclosed between the peaks of the Pesaro Dolomites and the summits of the main Carnic chain. In Sappada, visitors can breathe the good air of traditions that are deeply rooted in the surrounding nature. It is a pristine environment made even more magical by the whiteness of the snow, where there is no shortage of activities to complement skiing. The town is an ideal destination for families, who can enjoy many activities in the heart of nature, such as dog sled rides, snowshoeing, climbing on the frozen waterfalls on the River Piave, or the playground on the snow.

Make a wish: Sappada is ready to make it come true.

Thanks to the chairlifts of Mount Siera, Miravalle, and Hochbolt, from the bottom of the valley of Sappada visitors have the opportunity to reach the panoramic viewpoints of the alpine huts where they can enjoy traditional dishes or admire the white panorama of the valley while savouring a hot mulled wine.

"Rifugio 2000" is the starting point for the hike to the Olbe Lakes.

Some of the activities being proposed require adequate physical and technical preparation because they are performed in a high mountain environment. In winter, snowpack conditions can change suddenly in response to changing weather conditions: a good knowledge of the processes of snow transformation and settlement is mandatory in the case of outings that take place beyond controlled areas, such as ski resorts.

Consulting the regional avalanche bulletin (Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia - Avalanche Bulletin) is a practice that must precede every outing in snow-covered terrain. The use of avalanche transceiver equipment and a safety kit consisting of a Snow Shovel and Probe is also a good practice. The correct use of these devices and the understanding of their full functionality are fundamental elements of the safety ring that travelling on snowy winter terrains require.

The mountain professionals of the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia are available to safely guide you into the magical world of winter.

Mountain huts which can be reached from the chairlift stations:  

• Rifugio Monte Siera alpine hut at 1606 metres
• Rifugio 2000 alpine hut at 2000 metres Tel. 0039 347 5830064 Sappada2000.rifugio@gmail.com
• Casera Olbe chalet at 2090 metres (not operated by any staff)

Hikes starting from the top of the lift facilities:

• Olbe lakes

From the top station of the Hochbolt chairlift, below the Rifugio 2000 facility, the route follows the decommissioned slope, intersecting at the top with the summer mule track that reaches the lake area. The path is usually well-trodden by hikers. The lakes are located on the vast Olbe plateau below the jagged ridge that stretches from Mount Righile toward Mount Ferro. The three basins, of which the eastern one is the most noteworthy in terms of size and depth, fill the bottom of ancient hollows dating back to the last ice age. The sight of the frozen lake surrounded by snow rewards any efforts spent to reach it.

Difficulty level: medium
Total altitude reached: 2156 metres
Duration of the one-way trip: 1.30 hours
Total elevation gain: 300 metres
Notes: the track is usually well maintained
Information: info.sappada@promoturismo.fvg.it