Colbricón Loop

This itinerary, starting from the hut of Malga Ces, goes around the peak of Cima Colbricón, with a possible variant leading directly to the shelter of Bivacco Aldo Moro, on the route of Translagorai – crossing the whole mountain range of Lagorai -.

The hike starts from Malga Ces (1,670 m asl), by the village of San Martino di Castrozza, in a first section that climbs along the Signpost No. 348 towards Laghi di Colbricón. After an initial stretch that climbs up the ski slope, the path turns right and begins to climb into the forest. At the end of the ascent, the track reaches the famous lakes of Colbricón; two glacial lakes located between the peaks of Colbricón and Cavallazza, just above 1,900 meters high.

From the lakes, the track continues on the left, along the Signpost No. 349 that runs along the southwestern shores of the highest lake (1,922 m asl) and then leaves the lakes of Colbricón behind, reaching some remains of buildings in a location of historical importance both for the Great War events and for the findings of the remains of a settlement of Mesolithic hunters. After a short downhill stretch, the Signpost No. 349 leads to the gap of Passo Colbricón, at 1,908 m asl (from which it would be possible to close the loop and return to Malga Ces, by crossing the Pian delle Cartucce, for a shorter hike), where it resumes climbing towards Forcella Colbricón and Cima Colbricón, along the classic route of Translagorai. During the ascent of the gully that leads to the gap, located between the peaks of Cima Colbricón (on the left, to the south) and Colbricón Piccolo (on the right, to the northwest), the landscape opens up. Once by the gap of Forcella Colbricón (2,420 m asl), which opens up a respectable sight over the Pale di San Martino, the Fiemme Valley and on a part of the Lagorai range, the path faces a very short downhill stretch, for then following the slope leading directly to the closed gap of Forcella Ceremana (2,428 m asl). The path between Forcella Colbricón and Forcella Ceremana offers a couple of variants at different altitudes: even if a few small jumps between the rocks are necessary, the terrain is full of traces and any of it can be easily approached.

From the gap of Forcella Ceremana, the route offers an interesting variant that allows you to reach the bivouac of Bivacco Aldo Moro; in fact, by continuing for about 2.5 km, along the Signpost No. 349 “Achille Gadler”, it is possible to arrive at the bivouac. The way to Bivacco Aldo Moro (2,565 m), between rocks and boulders located on the northern walls of Cima Ceremana and Cime di Bragaröl (which formed a part of the Austro-Hungarian front during the First World War), allows you to jump into the typical lunar landscape that only the range of Lagorai can offer. The bivouac is located on a gap of the peaks of Bragaröl; from it you can see to the south the Buse di Malacarne, the Alpe Tognola and, on the horizon, the massif of Folga–Arzon. From Bivacco Aldo Moro, the return to Forcella Ceremana follows the same route backwards. It is perhaps worth mentioning the presence of a beautiful metal ladder that climbs a rocky wall, on the path that then continues towards Forcella Colbricón, slightly east of the track of the Signpost No. 349.

From Forcella Ceremana, the way back to the starting point initially follows the Signpost No. 337, descending very steeply while approaching the summit of Punta Ces. From Punta Ces (2,235 m asl) you can enjoy the last 360 degree view of the itinerary, with an excellent sight of San Martino di Castrozza and the Pala Group. The last part of the itinerary, descending from Punta Ces towards Malga Ces, follows the track named “Vertical Ces”, which leads directly to the hut.

Paths

• From the hut of Malga Ces (1,670 m asl), follow the Signpost No. 348 towards  the lakes called Laghi di Colbricón [0h 50],
• From Laghi di Colbricón (1,922 m asl), follow the Signpost No. 349 up to the gap of Passo Colbricón [1h 00],
• From Passo Colbricón (1,908 m asl), start ascending towards Forcella Colbricón / Cima Colbricón, continuing along the Signpost No. 349 [2h 00],
• From the gap of Forcella Colbricón (2,420 m asl), continue along the Signpost No. 349 to the gap of Forcella Ceremana [2h 30],
• [VARIANT] From Forcella Ceremana (2,428 m asl), continue for about 2.5 km along the Signpost No. 349 “Achille Gadler” until reaching the shelter of Bivacco Aldo Moro (2,565 m), then return to Forcella Ceremana [4h 30],
• From Forcella Ceremana (2.428 m asl), descend along the Signspost No. 337 towards Punta Ces [5h 10],
• From the summit of Punta Ces (2,235 m asl), descend back to Malga Ces along the track named “Vertical Ces” [6h 00]. ✓