Ornella in Val d’Ornella: Hiking Trails, the Dolomites and History
Accommodation in Ornella
Landscape of Val d’Ornella
Val d’Ornella lies on the right bank of the Torrente Cordevole, approximately midway through the Valle di Fodom. Val d’Ornella lies at the foot of the Dolomite amphitheatre formed by the Monti di Ornella in the Catena del Padon, part of the Marmolada group. Val d’Ornella is an almost untouched, green Dolomite valley framed by the Catena del Padon. Val d’Ornella also belongs to the Marmolada system, which is recognised and protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage natural site. Pizongol de Ornela is a 2,406-metre-high peak in the Padon sub-group.
Routes across plateaus and passes
The plateaus of Val d’Ornella, including Rus and Scofe, can be reached via CAI routes and well-marked paths that follow the course of the Ru de Ornela. CAI Route 634 runs through the Marmolada mountains within Livinallongo del Col di Lana, from Valacia de Fora via the Monti Alti di Ornella to the junction with Route 699. The Sentiero Geologico di Arabba follows the route to Passo Padon through the Monti Alti di Ornella.
Circular hike and elevation differences
The Ornella–Passo Padon–Ornella circular hike starts in the centre of Ornella near the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano and leads towards Col d’Ornella. The Ornella–Passo Padon–Ornella circular hike uses CAI Route 634. CAI Route 634 is connected to Route 634 B. The Ornella–Passo Padon–Ornella circular hike includes military positions at Col Toron. The route from Col d’Ornella to Passo Padon has 900 metres of elevation gain; without the ascent to Passo Padon, it is 750 metres. Elevation gain here describes the vertical ascent, not the length of the route.
Important information for orientation on CAI Route 634/B
The section of Sentiero CAI 634/B from Ornella-località Val to the village of Scofe was abandoned after the severe damage caused by Storm Vaia and is no longer passable.
Church, settlements and traces of history
The small settlements of Val d’Ornella feature Tyrolean-influenced architecture clustered around the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano. The Chiesa di San Sebastiano in Ornella was built in 1483 and consecrated in 1488. The Chiesa di San Sebastiano in Ornella was rebuilt after the First World War and rededicated to Saints Sebastian and Fabian. At the foot of Col Toron in Val d’Ornella are galleries and trenches from the First World War.
Other places:Alleghe, Cortina D'ampezzo, Auronzo Di Cadore, Salce, Ponte Nelle Alpi, Chies D'alpago, Puos Dʼalpago, Nevegal
For the overarching travel overview: Belluno Province.
