Читать книгу Shorter Walks in the Dolomites. 50 varied day walks in the mountains онлайн

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J Gilbert and GC Churchill (1864)

You climb the ‘elephant’ itself in the course of this walk, which starts out from the ‘small lake’ Lago di Braies. It is a memorable picture-postcard alpine lake, with turquoise-emerald waters fringed with peaceful beaches and sheer cliffs.

This is the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, something of a haven for wildlife. Although bears, wolves and lynx were effectively wiped out in the late 1800s, there are still plenty of animals to see: playful marmots, chamois grazing on open rocky hillsides, roe deer in the cover of the woods and a range of trout in the lake. Chances of encounters with the stately ibex are good for those who venture up Croda del Becco (also known as Seekofel in German and Sass dla Porta in Ladin).

The walk itself is an exciting circuit, but it is lengthy and tiring, so plenty of drinking water and sun protection is needed. It follows the opening stage of the popular long-distance path Alta Via 1 (AV1) as far as Rifugio Biella, which is a great spot for lunch and the start for the optional ascent of Croda del Becco. Highly recommended and extremely rewarding, although unsuitable for inexperienced walkers, it entails a further 450m climb on a partially exposed and aided route.