Corvara
Hiking to the Piz Boé peak in the Sella Massif
The Piz Boé in the Sella group, at a height of 3,152 m, is one of the most accessible peaks over three thousand metres and, for this reason, very popular with hikers. However, you should bear in mind that the ascent from Corvara and the return to Passo Gardena proposed in this route are of a demanding level: the use of climbing equipment is not compulsory, but sure-footedness and mountain experience are prerequisites for tackling this hike. The route runs mainly on rocky terrain and in places on scree or on an equipped trail, with a panorama that changes as you ascend and beautiful views of the best-known Dolomite peaks such as the Marmolada, Civetta, Catinaccio and Sassolungo. Once you have reached the summit, you will find the small Capanna Piz Fassa hut, where you can stay overnight, but above all, you will be greeted by the fantastic view that only the over 3000 m altitude can offer. On the way back, you will have to cross part of the massif and then descend to Gardena Pass.
From Corvara go up to the top station of the Vallon chairlift (on foot or by taking the Boé chairlift first, then the Vallon chairlift) and from there go up past the junction to the Franz Kostner hut until you come to a fork in the path. Here take path no. 672 on the right, which enters the wide gully to the right of the scree and goes down to below the rock faces. Climbing up the equipped path between the rocks, you come to a large pebbly hollow. After crossing it, continue along the left side of the gully and then leave the gorge on a narrow ledge. Continue in a south-westerly direction along a path that is flat at first and then rises to reach the "Cresta Strënta" over a steep scree slope. Follow the ridge and you will reach Piz Boé (3159 m) (2h 30min), where you can admire a stunning panorama.
To return, follow path no. 638 in a north-westerly direction towards the Rifugio Boé Hut, crossing a steep scree gully and rocky scree, often covered in ice and snow. When you reach the hut, take path no. 666, which crosses the whole of the Mesules plateau, and then descend along a gully with rock steps to the Rifugio Pisciadú hut (2580m) (4h 10min). Continue down the Val Setus on path no. 666, first on a path equipped with steel cables, then in a serpentine path over a scree slope. At the fork, take path no. 666 to the left, which descends to the Gardena Pass, from where you can return to Corvara on foot (about 2 hours) or by bus.
*By car
- Coming from Innsbruck: take the A 13 and the A 22 toll motorway and exit at Bressanone/Brixen, following the signs to Brunico/Bruneck along the Val Pusteria/Pustertal road as far as San Lorenzo/St.Lorenzen. Follow the signs to Val Badia/Gadertal
- Coming from Verona-Bolzano: take the A 22, exit at Bressanone/Brixen and continue as above
*By train
The nearest train stations are:
- Brunico - 37 Km
- Bolzano (via Passo Gardena) - 72 Km (via Brunico) – 100 Km
- Connection train station – Alta Badia by the local bus SAD: www.sad.it
*By air
- Innsbruck - 130 km
- Munich – 330 km
- Venice Treviso / Venice Marco Polo – 180 / 200 km
- Verona – 213 km
- Milan Bergamo / Milan Malpensa - 310 /400 km
- Information airport transfer: www.suedtirolbus.it - www.cortinaexpress.it