Vioz-Cevedale: Traverse across the Glaciers
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Interest: Geology, Panorama
- Departure: Rifugio Mantova al Vioz (3,535m)
- Arrival: Malga Mare
- Difficulty Level: EEA - For expert hikers with equipment
This traverse should start the day after the night spent in the mountain hut. It is of glaciological and landscape interest, but it is recommended only to expert hikers with adequate glacier equipment.
From the mountain hut you reach the flat summit of Mt. Viòz, from which Forni glacier branches off in the west and Vedretta Rossa branches off in the east. During WWI, the summit was the front line, and it was garrisoned by the Austrian army and connected to the valley bottom through a cableway system. From the top, you will enjoy the view of a crown of summits over 3,500m high running along Forni glacier and other minor peaks reach in the north the Ortles Group.
From Viòz, go down along a snow-clad slope to Vedretta Rossa Pass, where the strenuous climb to Palòn della Mare leaves: this rocky stretch requires particular attention for the presence of loose stones, until Palòn della Mare. The trail continues downhill on the snow until Col de la Mare and Colombo bivouac, situated in a strategic position and available in case of emergency or to stop for lunch.
From the bivouac, still on the rock, the trail goes uphill to Mt. Ròsole and to the homonymous Pass where the long ascent to the snow-clad ridge leading to Mt. Cevedale begins. The second highest summit of Mt. Cevedale, called "Zufallspitze" is connected to the main summit by a narrow ice tongue (difficult route!). Both summits offer unique and unforgettable 360° views. From the second "Zufallspitze" summit you can take the long way back by going through the ridge delimiting Vedretta della Fòrcola and Fòrcola Pass. Follow the detrital slope up to Larcher Mountain Hut (trail marker no. 103) in Val de la Mare.
From the mountain hut, an easy trail goes down to Val Venezia, going through the homonymous alpine hut and leading to the car park of Centrale di Malga Mare.
