Passo Falzarego - Bivouac della Chiesa (western way)

Access to starting point:
First, we drive to Cortina d'Ampezzo (to here possible over a 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. Or from Primorska side, where we drive on a highway in the direction of Trst / Trieste. Further, we drive on Italian highway in the direction of Padova, but only to a highway junction, where we continue in the direction of Veneto and Belluno. Near Belluno the highway ends, and at the next crossroads we continue in the direction of Cortina d'Ampezzo and then we follow the signs for Alpine mountain pass Passo di Falzarego. This ascending road we then follow to a large parking lot on the mentioned mountain pass.

Path description:
Only few ten meters away from the parking lot at the bottom station of the cable car on Lagazuoi Piccolo we will notice signs for the tunnel Lagazuoi. The path at first leads on a worse for traffic closed macadam road (road for the purpose of a ski slope), which after a short ascent brings us to the spot, where signs for tunnel point us slightly to the left. We continue the ascent on a wide mountain path, which is ascending parallel with the road which we just left. A moderately steep path then from a lane of dwarf pines brings us on the scree, from which beautiful views are opening up mainly towards the south. Well maintained path, after a little less than an hour of walking, it brings us to a crossing, where we continue right on normal mountain path (left path through the tunnel).
The path then crosses slopes below the steep mountain walls of Lagazuoi Piccolo (danger of falling stones) and a little further through torrent well passes on the scree between the mentioned and the neighbouring peak named Cima Falzarego. Here the path turns a little to the left and on a moderately steep slope ascends on a panoramic saddle forcella Travenanzes, where there is a crossing.
We continue left in the direction of the mountain hut Lagazuoi on a slightly ascending path, which crosses steep slopes, which are protected against avalanches. Next follows a short descent and the path brings us on the next saddle forcella Lagazuoi, where we continue right in the direction of ferrata Tomaselli. The path ahead starts gradually descending, and meanwhile leads us over some crossings. In all cases we stick to the right in the direction of the above the mentioned ferrata. Nice high mountain path, which basically almost circled nice grassy sinkhole, a little lower brings us to the next crossing. Here as well, we continue right in the direction of ferrata Tomaselli. The path ahead turns right on extensive screes, which we in a gentle ascent cross to the foot of mighty walls of the ridge Lagazuoi Grande. Occasionally a little steeper path then crosses some exposed traverses, which are early in the summer still covered with snow. The path then descends below an overhang, crosses mighty couloir and then by the edge of overhang wall steeply ascends. Diagonal ascent by the foot of the walls is in spite of well-made path dangerous for slipping. The steepness then gradually decreases and the path turns sharply right. Follows only good 5 minutes long ascent and the path brings us to bivouac.

On the way: Forcella Travenanzes (2507m), Forcella Lagazuoi (2573m)

Trip can be extended to: Punta Fanes Sud (1 h)