Ivano Dibona via ferrata is a long and demanding itinerary along the Zurlon ridge on Monte Cristallo, north-east of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
This mountaineering route unwinds along the ridge leading to Val di Landro, after a very short ascent from Forcella Staunies. Notwithstanding various ups and downs, the route has a descending course. The highest point is situated at 2,985 m of altitude. After that, you descend by means of exposed fixings to Forcella Grande, where you come across the first remarkable ruins of the fortifications built by Italian Alpini in 1915/18. The Dibona track continues northwestward, along the ridge. Beyond Cresta Bianca, you get to Forcella Padeòn (2,760 m). There, an emergency shelter is located in the formerly hut/headquarter of Major Carlo Buffa, who was in charge of front operations. Beyond the Forcella Padeòn, the Col Pistone and the Vecio del Forame, where the ledges are only partially equipped, you get to Forcella Alta (2,640 m). From there, you descend southward along a scree slope to Forcella Bassa. Again northwestward: a rather difficult route takes to Cresta Zurlon, where other wartime ruins are visible. Continuing along the ridge, you reach Col dei Stombi (2,168 m), from where you descend along the old military mule track that takes to the Val Grande. Ospitale is nearby, along the main road n.51.
Departure
Car park near the Rio Gere restaurant, from where the chairlift lift linking Rio Gere with Son Force hut starts. You can reach the lifts by following the road to Passo Tre Croci which connects Cortina d'Ampezzo with Auronzo.
Via ferrata details
Max altitude: 2,985 m
Possible stops: Lorenzi Hut (2,932 m), at the Rio Gere uphill cableway/chairlift station, at Forcella Staunies (2,918 m) between Cristallo and Cristallino.
Differences in height: about 1,500 m (descent) between Forcella Staunies and Ospitale.
Time: 8.30 hours (Forcella Staunies - Ospitale).
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