Article Averau

Averau is a rock massif south of the Falzarego pass, which is followed by the Nuvolau stool, and in the north we have the Giau pass. It is one of the most beautiful with views of the Dolomites. Averau borders Lagazuoi and thus offers very similar views, but at the same time extends them much further. This rock mass was not neglected by the First World War, where a field hospital was built on Averau. Today converted into a cottage Rifugio Averau. It is also known for the film Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone, where the story takes place. Averau can be reached by cable car or on foot where the elevation gain is 350 meters. We chose the hiking tour from the cottage Rifugio Col Gallina. There are two routes from here and I recommend crossing the mini lake Lago Limedes, which in the morning offers beautiful views of Lagazuoi and the Passo Falzarego. Then the mountain pulls us between the rocks to the saddle to Averau and it stops many of them. Suddenly the view opens to Passo Giau and behind it is Passo Falzarego. Splendor. From here it is about 20–30 minutes to Averau. Here, a rush of people awaits you, because the cable car ends here. Here you will also learn something about the First World War, but you will meet the remains along the way. The cottage on Averau is the center here, because a field hospital was originally established here. After the war, it was rebuilt into a cottage, which we are now in. At the same time, the Hollywood film Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallon was shot here, where the last minutes of the film take place here. The story takes place in the Dolomites, which are supposed to depict the Rocky Mountains in the USA. Here are some options. Head to another cottage on Nuvolau or continue. Nuvolau encourages further views. We did, but so on. I recommend going a longer way down the piste than through the pass under the hut we went and the way is not worth much. I can say for myself that the path to Passo Giau is not very lively, but it offers beautiful views. What can be observed all the time is the sound of supersports, but especially on the weekend, where he drives his cars from Falzareg to Giau. Although to the cottage Rifugio Passo Giau it is a 3km road takes about 1.5 hours. Snacks stab here. And they will follow the same route or the eastern path, offering views of the Sorapiss and other mountains. Again, the views are worth enjoying, but this trip will seem tiring and fun, because you keep going up and down. At the Crepe dei Ronde crossroads, head back to Averau and the car park, or to the Rifugio Cinque Torri hut and walk to the car park across Lake Bain de Dones. The whole circuit is about 16 km

Here you can see Lagazuoi (left) up to the Tofana massif. We have described this circuit in the article Lagazuoi Circuit

A mini lake that got me with amazing mirroring

A look at Passo Falzarego

Here is the first look at Passo Gaiu

At the other end, the second pass.

We return and our journey offers a view to the east.

This is what a part of the way back looks like.

This is what our circuit looked like