Altitude gain/loss: 800 m. approx.
Difficulty level: EE (experienced hikers)
Hike duration: 4 hrs (excluding breaks)
Recommended period: summer
CAI waymarking: 101, 124, 122 and 124a
Stop off points: Rifugio Lunelli, Rifugio Berti
Itinerary:
From Rifugio Lunelli follow path 101 on its wide bends to Rifugio Berti, admiring the beautiful Risena stream waterfall en route. From Rifugio Berti first follow path 124 and then continue on 122, passing the ruins of former Rifugio Sala (now of historic interest). To your left a belvedere offers exceptional views. From here it continues in the direction of Creston Popera through World War One paths and trenches to the peak of Croda Sora i Colesei, a further fantastic viewpoint, before returning on the same footpath for 5 minutes and turning right at the junction to Forcella Popera. The war tunnels with their observatory over the Pusteria valley are worth visiting. The route then descends once again on footpath 124a, through the scree under Pala and Castello di Popera to beautiful small lake Popera. From here it returns to Rifugio Lunelli on footpath 101.
