Arriving Cortina, Dolomites early afternoon on Monday 8 Sept, with car. Have been doing a lot of research on walks/views etc but wondered if anyone had any particular recommendations for a quick jaunt up a cable car to see some great mountain scenery? Had thought of Tofano area but really would appreciate any thoughts.
Many thanks!
If you have some transportation up to Falzarego pass, the Lagazuoi cable car is one of the most spectacular. Once you are on the top, consider that during World War 1st this was operation zone; it is not uncommon to find relics like old shoes or bullet shells along paths. The war here was absolutely crazy; for example the Austrian occupied both the pass (bottom of the mountain) and the top, but Italians were clinging to a narrow ledge in the middle of the rock wall; along several years Austrian bombed Italians from the top and the bottom without being able to dislodge them. At a time, Austrians lugged to the pass, with huge effort, a gigantic marine cannon, that simply refused to work after a couple of shots. Italians said the cannon had mountain sickness.
The craziest moment was when Italian dug in a side mountain (Castelletto) a corkscrew tunnel, loaded it with dynamite and blow up the top, changing the geography of the zone. The corkscrew tunnel is still there and can be used to walk down to the pass (for this hike complete grotto exploration equipment including helmet with light and boots is necessary, and still best reserved to trained hikers).
Even if you can't walk too distant from the upper station of the cable car the landscape on top has a lunar quality and is a worthwhile sight.
Thank you! Lagazuoi was in my mind, photos look spectacular plus the war history too.I think the last cable car down is 5pm so we could make that ok with only a 30 min drive to the Pass.Better views than Tofano, do you think?
