Janice's Journeys: Day 3 to Hotel Armentarola

We needed to catch the Covara bus to the start of our second hike, 21 km to the Hotel Armentarola. Our luggage would be taken by taxi so we just had to carry our supplies for the day.

From the Refugio Dibona we were to follow route 403. All the routes are clearly signposted with approximate times given and the trails themselves have frequent red and white markers.

We headed for the Tofana cliffs and saw a sign indicating that we were in the
parc Naturelle dell Dolomiti D'Ampezzo.

It was quite cloudy as we headed for the Col de Bos.

Across the valley we could see the Marmolada glacier, the only one remaining in this area.

We climbed down towards some ruins to a sheltered spot for lunch and were soon visited by Alpine Choughs looking to share our food.

A couple of back stretches to start the afternoon off....

There were many trenches and armament positions which had been built during the First World War when the Italians and Austrians had fought in the Dolomites.

.... and there were frequent patches of snow, especially in the valleys on the northern side of the mountains.

We followed route 401 through the Passo Falzarego and towards the Lago Di Lagazuoi.

Route 20 took us down a steep, winding path past a small rapidly flowing stream to the Rifugio Scotini and a welcome stop for strudel and beer.

We then descended quite an unpleasant gravel road towards Corvara.

Another hostelry, this one guarded by a couple of dogs lying on the roof, self righteously passed by....
Finally reaching the valleys and following a river to the village and the magnificent Hotel Armentarola.

The evening was magical, we were ushered into the bar for pre dinner snacks to the sounds of yodeling.

Never ending plates of smoked salmon and other tasty treats appeared and our glasses were constantly refilled with a non alcoholic punch.

Afterwards we were taken to the dining room and presented with the evening's set menu starting with a risotto with chanterelle mushrooms...

Including rocket soup

A platter of meat and veg

and which culminated in magnificent dishes full of fresh berries.

When we returned happily over fed to our rooms the magic fairy had been in and tidied everything. Our night clothes had been turned into works of art and we were compelled to take a photo....