Malga Ciapela - Cima Ombretta di Mezzo (via Passo Ombretta)

Access to starting point:
A) First, we drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo (to here possible over the border crossing Rateče or Predel to Trbiž / Tarvisio and then on a highway in the direction of Videm / Udine to exit Tolmezzo. From Tolmezzo we follow the road in the direction of village Ampezzo and mountain pass Passo Mauria. The road then descends and it brings us to a crossroad, where we continue left (possible also right) in the direction of Cortina d'Ampezzo. At all next crossroads, we follow the signs for Cortina d'Ampezzo and then we follow the signs for Alpine mountain pass Passo di Falzarego. Already in the first part of the ascent towards the mountain pass Falzarego we will get to a crossroad, where signs for mountain pass Passo di Giau (2233 meters) and Marmolada point us to the left. The road behind the mountain pass Giau starts descending and lower we follow it through the settlements in the direction of Marmolada or mountain pass Passo di Fedaia. The road towards the mountain pass Passo di Fedaia we then follow to the crossroad little before the bottom station of the cable car. Here we go left on a narrow asphalt road towards the mountain pasture Malga Ciapela. The road then leads us past camp and tourist farm Malga Ciapela. Only a little after farm asphalt road ends. Here we park on one of the parking lots by the road.
B) Access from Primorska: We drive on the highway in the direction of Padova, but only to a highway junction, where we continue in the direction of the town Veneto and Belluno. Near Belluno the highway ends, and we follow the road ahead in the direction of Belluno, where at the larger crossroad we continue right in the direction of the town Agordo. From the mentioned town ahead we follow frequent signs for Marmolada or mountain pass Passo di Fedaia. The road towards the mountain pass Passo di Fedaia we then follow to the crossroad little before the bottom station of the cable car. Here we go left on a narrow asphalt road towards the mountain pasture Malga Ciapela. The road then leads us past camp and tourist farm Malga Ciapela. Only a little after farm asphalt road ends. Here we park on one of the parking lots by the road.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we go on a macadam road which is further closed for traffic. First, we cross the bridge and then the road brings us to a marked crossing.
The footpath towards the saddle Passo di Forca Rossa branches off to the left, and we continue right on a macadam road which ascends steeper. We soon come to another crossing. This time we go right in the forest on a footpath towards the mountain pasture Malga Ombretta and mountain hut Falier. Further, on the road and later on a mule track leads also other a little less steep path towards the same mountain pasture.
From the crossing, the footpath starts ascending steeper and occasionally from the path also a nice view opens up on the nearby peaks. After that, the path turns a little to the right and in ascent crosses a steep slope. The path on this part isn't demanding because it is secured with a fence, and we also get help from stairs. The slope again becomes less steep and from the path, a view opens up towards a smaller dam by the path. The path continues to ascend through the forest and later crosses a mule track. The path becomes a little less steep and soon out of the forest brings us on panoramic mountain pasture Malga Ombretta where there is also a smaller cottage.
From the mountain hut, we continue on the path which runs through pastures towards the west. Further, the path turns slightly to the right so that it runs on the right side of the valley. The path then leads us through a short lane of a forest and only a short ascent follows to the hut Rifugio Failer, which is situated below the slopes of the peak Cima Obretta.
From the mountain hut, we continue on the path 610 towards the saddle Passo Ombretta. From the mountain hut, the path is ascending on a mule track mostly through dwarf pines towards the north. When we get a little closer to the walls of Marmolada dwarf pines end, and the path turns to the left. The more and more scenic path is then ascending towards the west and runs on terrain partly covered with grass. Grassy slopes later pass into scree and the path is for some time slightly ascending towards the west. In the last part of the ascent towards the saddle Passo Ombretta, the path turns to the right and starts ascending steeply on the scree all the way to the mentioned saddle where there is also a crossing.
On the saddle, we continue left and only a short ascent follows to bivouac.
From the bivouac, we continue towards the south and after a short ascent, the path brings us to steel cables. Here the path turns a little to the left and with the help of fixed safety gear ascends on a rocky slope. The secured path is short and it quickly brings us on the scree. The path further runs on the scree towards the south and it is gradually becoming steeper. Higher, the slope becomes quite steep and also dangerous for slipping. Such a path then brings us to a saddle below Cima Ombretta di Mezzo.
The marked path here turns left on the south side of the ridge and we continue right (towards the west) on an unmarked footpath towards military tunnel below Cima Ombretta di Mezzo. We continue slightly right past military tunnel, and then soon ascend left upwards and follows an ascent on a pathless slope to the top.

On the way: Malga Ombretta (1904m), Rifugio Onorio Falier (2074m), Passo Ombretta (2702m), Bivacco Dal Bianco (2730m)