Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park

And the massive east face of Sasso Delle Dieci from the trail after leaving Ranch de Andre Refugio. This is the rock face we wake to and we see illuminated by the setting sun from our room. It never fails to take my breath away. It assaults your senses. It’s in your face, dominates your mind. You can walk up that face following trail 7, in the summer, not at this time of the year.

This is our fifth visit to the Dolomites and we’ve walked this trail each time, once in summer snd four times in winter. It is magical, it has to be done. We’ve walked it in a snowstorm and in weather like today.

At 2000m it was cold, clear and crisp at -10c with deep snow. This time the trails were groomed which made a satisfying crunching sound as you walked along in snowshoes. When you stopped there was silence.

The walk starts, after a coffee, at La Crusc at the top of the second of two lifts taking you from the valley bottom to the Refugio and the church of the Ospizio Santa Croce. Trail 15 and 15a take you to the Ranch De Andre and further trails return you to the bottom of the lift.

A shorter day, 6 and a quarter miles compared to the 10 and a half yesterday. It was quite simply the best of days, as it was three years ago: https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/2539203441767482502. Cake and tea awaited us when we returned to the hotel. There are further views in extras