Embraced by giants

The heart and soul of our land: theSanctuary of Santa Croce has been so important over the centuries that the mountain that soars above now bears its name. Its most prominent peak, L’Ciaval, rises to a height of 2,907 metres, majestically dominating the village of Badia and colouring the landscape with the unmistakable hues of the legendary Dolomite enrosadira, the alpenglow. The setting for great mountaineering feats, Sas dla Crusc is popular with experienced rock climbers seeking new high-altitude challenges, with numerous extreme routes on its southern faces. Lying at the heart of a dense network of paths and fixed-rope routes, it is a must for hiking enthusiasts and, when winter white covers the Dolomites, its snowy magic can be inhaled as you savour adventures in the snow.

Lavarela or... Piz de Lavarela, Lavarella, La Varella and La Varela: while it has many names, there is just one root, of ancient origin and still echoed today in the stem lavara, a term of pre-Latin origin meaning “slab of rock”.

Just nine metres lower than the Cima Conturines, the peak known as Lavarela is the second highest in the group and towers imposingly over Val Badia. Its eastern summit is the highest point, while the western summit also offers majestic views of all the surrounding peaks. Lavarela can be reached from Badia (via Forcella Ju dla Crusc and Forcella Medesc), from La Villa (via Forcella Medesc), from Pederü in Marebbe (via the Fanes and Lavarella refuges) and from San Cassiano, with ascents of varying difficulty: the section up from Forcella Medesc is both exposed and steep and only for the most experienced, whose efforts will nevertheless be rewarded once they reach the summit. From the Ju dal’Ega pass, on the other hand, the route is less exposed but takes longer... but, halfway up, there is a real gem: Lake Conturines, set in wild and unspoilt surroundings and an ideal spot to take a rest.