High Routes at Selva

High Routes Programme

Our High Routes holidays offer challenging high-level walks. We aim to reach high summits and ridges that are usually out of reach on our Guided Walking holidays; these may be exposed or have sections of fixed ropes or ladders. Whilst a high level of fitness and stamina are required, the rewards will be a bird’s eye mountain panorama and an immense sense of achievement.

These High Routes holidays run alongside a regular Guided Walking week and you are free to choose one of these walks if you prefer something a little easier. On this holiday you may enjoy some of the following walks:

The south side of the Val Gardena

After passing through Selva we catch the Ciampinoi gondola lift to the top station. The walk then takes a traversing path high up on the north side of Sassolungo. This path leads to a deep cleft in the massif which we ascend to Forcella Sassolungo. We then descend steeply to Passo Sella and follow the valley back to Selva

16½km (10½ miles), 725m (2,380ft) ascent, 1,400m (4,600ft) descent

Forc Pana

We catch the bus to Ortisei and ascend the north side of the Val Gardena on the Rasciesa chairlift. A high level track leads to the Passo Brogles followed by an ascent on easy via ferrata to Forc Pana with excellent views over the Val di Funes and Val Gardena. From here a long descent takes us back to Selva.

15km (9½ miles), 680m (2,220ft) ascent, 1,140m (3,730ft) descent

Sassongher and the Puez Plateau

After taking the minibus to Colfosco we climb up the Edelweisstal and on to Sassongher. This involves quite a lot of walking on scree and a scramble up some easy via ferrata. The route continues to climb, using a narrow path, to the Forcella Sassongher and then uses a mixture of scree paths and via ferrata to reach the summit cross, with its wonderful all round view. We then descend back to the Forc and down the east side before ascending to the Puez plateau and across it to Rif Puez. The final descent follows the beautiful Vallunga valley back into Selva.

17km (10½ miles), 1,210m (3,970ft) ascent, 1,275m (4,180ft) descent

Sella Group

This huge fortress massif, bounded by four road passes, appears to be reserved for mountaineers. However several valleys slice deep into the block so competent walkers can reach its high level plateau. The plateau is a stone desert, completely devoid of trees, but containing occasional hardy wild flowers such as the tiny white mouse-ear and saxifrage. If you are lucky you may spot shy herds of Chamois. Our route does a compete traverse of the Sella Group including Piz Boe which is one of the easiest 3,000 metre peaks in the area to climb.

10km (6½ miles), 1,185m (3,890ft) ascent, 1,085m (3,550ft) descent

Col dala Pieres

This walk uses the Col Raiser cable car and crosses the Alpe de Cisles to the Forces de Sieles. The route then climbs up the Col dala Pieres and uses some via ferrata to reach the Stevia massif. We visit the Rif Stevia and descend the impressive ‘Selva Express’ route back to the hotel.

16km (10 miles), 885m (2,900ft) ascent, 1,430m (4,690ft) descent

Sassopiatto (‘Flat Stone’)

The Friedrich August Way is a high level traversing path from near the Passo Sella along the side of Sassopiatto. We climb to the top of Sassopiatto, using a steep and indistinct path, but the ascent is rewarded with spectacular views from the summit.

18km (11 miles), 1,325m (4,350ft) ascent, 1,185m (3,890ft) descent

The Four Passes

As the title of the walk suggests, this route crosses four high alpine passes, all with interesting views. The first, Forc Mont dal’Ega, involves a steep climb and a tricky descent, but gives views down the Val di Funes, a valley not normally visited. The second pass, Forc dela Roa gives views back over the Stevia massif whilst the third, Forc Nives involves an exciting via ferrata route. The last pass, the Forces de Sieles, is reached using a via ferrata and involves a tricky descent on scree.

16km (10 miles), 1,155m (3,790ft) ascent and descent

Gran Cir and Sas Ciampac

After ascending the Dantercepies lift this walk ascends the peaks of Gran Cir (2,592m) and Sas Ciampac (2,672m). The route then traverses high above the Vallunga before descending into the valley and returning to the hotel.

18km (11 miles), 990m (3,250ft) ascent, 1,670m (5,500ft) descent