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Rifugio Marinelli > Rifugio Calvi

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Very long stage with two important climbs (to Passo di Volaia and Passo Sesis), without technical difficulties, along the Traversata Carnica.

All the efforts are rewarded by the landscapes: the beautiful Lake of Volaia, at the foot of the western wall of the Coglians, and the scenery that surrounds the Calvi mountain lodge, from Monte Peralba to Chiadenis.

Special Notes

The stage is really long and suitable for well-trained hikers: better start early. It is possible to break the journey at Lake Volaia (there are two mountain lodges, one Italian and the other Austrian).

To shorten the section, it is possible to cut along the equipped Spinotti path that remains at high altitude and crosses from Marinelli to Lambertenghi. It has some exposed sections equipped with chains and ladders.

when to go
June - September
Suitable for
how to get there
description of the route

We leave the Marinelli mountain lodge and from the Forcella di Moraret we take the path descending (approximately 700 m drop ) towards Plan di Val di Bos, cutting the hairpin bends of the forest road to the Tolazzi refuge. After a short stretch of forest road, we take the path again and begin the ascent (approx. 550 m height difference) on a good track: it climbs decisively but regularly by the southern wall of the Coglians. Finally, past Rifugio Lambertenghi (from which we take a walk on the Traversata Carnica) we cross the Volaia Pass (1,970 m) and enter the Austrian territory up to the west bank of the lake of the same name, beautiful and dominated by the bulk of the Coglians ( 2,780 m). After a snack with a postcard view (at the Wolayerseehütte refuge they make a remarkable strudel), we go down (approx. 300 m drop) on a comfortable forest road (cutting when possible on a small path) until we reach a bucolic plateau, populated by placid cows. After crossing the plateau westward, we return to the path, and following a fun traverse stretch, we continue to climb (approximately 300 m height difference ) between steep meadows towards Passo Giramondo (2,005 m) and the Italian territory.

Once at the top, the path turns gently up and down and we can catch our breath. We cross some bright red stony ground and the beautiful Lake Bordaglia appears at our feet. From Sella Sissanis, we descend easily towards Val Fleons (approx. 400 m drop).

After passing the Casera Fleons, we pass an old and wide mule track and attack the last climb, the most demanding of the day (about 800 m height difference). The slope has some increase but overall, although tiring (we already have many kilometers in our legs), the ascent develops on an excellent track. From the wooded and grassy landscape, we pass gradually to the Dolomite one and we move to the eastern slopes of Monte Peralba (2.694 m). Shortly we are at Passo Sesis (2,367 m) and from there we soon reach the beautiful Calvi Refuge, protected by the peaks of Pic Chiadenis (2,459 m) with its striking sharp Dente del Pescecane.

What to know

On July 20, 1988, Mrs. Anna and her husband Giulio Galler, managers of Rifugio Calvi, had a sudden visit that was nothing short of special: Pope John Paul II, a great mountain lover, had just made the ascent to Peralba following the normal route (since then renamed “the Pope's path”). John Paul II entered the refuge and rested there in the company of the astonished managers and their little daughter Heidi. The extraordinary event had a significant impact on the life of the mountain lodge: hordes of journalists came for weeks to interview witnesses and the manager had to remove from the top the summit register with the pope's signature before someone ill-intentioned could steal it. To date, it is possible to admire the autographed book inside the refuge.

What to see

On the southern slope of Mount Avanza there are numerous galleries of medieval origin: you can still see the signs of the manual excavation. Documents show its exploitation since 778 AD.

The Forni Avoltri area developed around the exploitation of mines, in particular copper and iron. There are numerous stone collectors looking for precious minerals near the galleries.

what to eat

The gepitchta krapfen is a typical tortello from Sappada, made with pinched potato dough and stuffed with chamois mocetta (chamois cured meat): delicious, it melts in your mouth.

where to sleep

Rifugio Lambertenghi, just before the Volaia Pass. Tel. +39 0433 786074


Wolayerseehütte, on the shores of Lake Volaia. Tel. +43 720 346 141


Rifugio Calvi, just below Passo Sesis. Tel. +39 0345 77047


Rifugio Sorgenti del Piave. Tel. +39 334 779 9175

Rifugio Piani del Cristo. Tel. +39 333 368 7599


Starting point reachable by car.


Departure point NOT reachable by bus.

The nearest location reachable by bus is Collina, departing from the city of Tolmezzo with a change in Forni Avoltri.

Here the LINK to check the timetables.


Departure point NOT reachable by train.

“From the surface of Lake Volaia, clouds of humidity rise and dance on the back of the Coglians, the highest peak of Friuli Venezia-Giulia”

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