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Climbing Conturines in the Dolomites

Last Modified: 01/13/2025

I have climbed Conturines from the main road in the Alta Badia valley, and my start point was close to the camp Sciare which is at the end part of the valley below Passo Valparola. Here is my report of the tour. 

Conturines (Piz dles Cunturines) can be climbed directly from the main road in Alta Badia. This is the shortest normal approach from the south. Yet another approach is from the north, from the Fanes hut and Lavarella hut, and that route joins the normal route on the Grande Plano in the Fanes area. 

You can climb the mountain also from the west side by starting at Rudeferia and getting to Forcella de Medesc on the Fanes plateau. From there you go to Lavarella summit and then continue to Conturines. 

Conturines as seen from Passo Valparola.
Conturines as seen from Passo Valparola.

Conturines coordinates, numbers & details

  • Coordinates: 46.575833 °N / 11.977778 °E.
  • Elevation: 3064 m (10052 ft).
  • Route difficulty: walk up & short summit ferrata.
  • Useful map: Tabacco number 07, Alta Badia Arabba-Marmolada, 1:25000.
  • Free parking at the main road.
  • Elevation difference from the parking: 1414 m (4639 ft).
  • Time needed to the summit: around 5 hours.

Access roads & location

The interactive map below gives all the details regarding access roads to the area, and mountaineering routes. So zoom in and out to see more. 

The marker 1 shows a small area by the main road where you can park for free. This is not an official parking. Much larger parking area is up in the direction of Capana Alpina, this is the marker 2, but there is a fee for that parking.

 

Note that the same two parkings are used if you plan to get to Monte Ciaval and Bivacco della Pace, and to Lavarela mountain.

Conturines is a huge massif, and you realize this from the top picture above that shows how it looks from Valparola pass (2168 m). Even from such a high mountain pass it looks incredibly impressive and hard to climb.

But the normal route to the summit goes more than half a circle around the mountain, and most of the time it is just a simple walk up.


Route description

The route from Alta Badia described here is the same you would use in order to climb the nearby La Varella mountain. When you leave Capana Alpina behind you, very soon you will be in the forest which is a part of Fanes National Park. 

There is a steep part in the upper forest area route, but when you are out of it you will be on a pleasant plateau which is shown in the picture below. 

View back on the Fanes plateau.
View back on the Fanes plateau.

After some walk in this area, very soon you will have the sign to the left (west direction), so follow it and continue walking up. Below you can see how this part looks.

Walk up from the Fanes plateau.
Walk up from the Fanes plateau.

All the way up to the lake (shown in the picture below), this is the same path which you would use for Piz La Varella. At the lake the route splits so you follow the path in the south-east direction to Conturines area. 

View back towards the lake.
View back towards the lake.

From now on, you will have the Conturines main peak in sight all the time. It looks like a fortress on the top of the mountain. 

Here, the summit is in sight.
Here, the summit is in sight.

Note that all the time this is just a simple walk-up route without any exposed passages.

When you get to the pass from where you have the view of Alta Badia, the picture below, you will have Conturines summit on the left and Piz La Varella on the right. 

View down the pass between Conturines and La Varella.
View down the pass between Conturines and La Varella.

From the pass keep walking up and very soon you will have some ferrata passages with at least four ladders, numerous fixed cables, and many exposed sections.

Fixed cables below the summit.
Fixed cables below the summit.
Fixed ladder.
Fixed ladders.

In this part you will want to use your ferrata equipment. My guess is that some people might manage without it, but I would strongly advise to have it with you and to use it here.

The final part is a short and pleasant ridge which you follow till the summit sculpture shown below. I must admit I have never seen anything similar on a summit.

The summit with an unusual sculpture.
The summit with an unusual sculpture.

My climb

This was my fifth summit in the Fanes National Park area, after Lavarela, Cima delle Nove, Sasso delle Dieci, and L’Ciaval (Cavallo, Sas dla Crusc). I knew the route well from my tour to Lavarela one year earlier.

I started from the parking at the road at 6:10 AM. There was nobody around all the way to the summit. Only when I was below the summit, I have seen some people arriving to the lake area far below me. But they were all going to Lavarela. 

I arrived to the summit at 11:20 AM, so it took me 5 hours and 10 minutes in total. I stayed there for half an hour or so and had my breakfast.

After that I descended and met a few people going up. They were coming from Lavarela, I could see them coming when I was on the summit.

You can see more about the tour in my video:


Equipment, supplies & accommodation

For this tour I used my Mammut Lithium 40 backpack, so just follow the link to read my full review. The boots were Mammut Sapuen GTX. and I also had all ferrata equipment and used it below the summit. 

Regarding water, you can refill at Capana Alpina, there is a place just behind it. If you carry a water filter, you can refill later at the Fanes plateau, there are several water flows on your way. 

For food, there are a few food shops for supplies in the valley. But if you have no time for this, there is a small food shop in the camping which is close to the main road. As for accommodation, you can use the mentioned camp. 


Final thoughts

In summary, climbing Conturines offers an incredible mountain experience, blending scenic walks with a touch of adventure on the ferrata near the summit.

The route from Alta Badia is not only accessible but also rewarding, with panoramic views of the Fanes plateau and the surrounding peaks. Though the climb is mostly a straightforward walk-up, the final section demands some caution and ferrata equipment for safety.

With stunning landscapes, peaceful paths, and a unique summit sculpture, Conturines is an unforgettable climb that will leave you feeling accomplished.

Please join us at our Facebook group Dolomites Visitors Hub. Subscribe to my weakly newsletter and stay informed, the subscription form is given below.

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Mountains for Everybody site is reader-supported. This means that some of the links in the text are affiliate links, and when you buy products through our links we may earn some small commission to keep running the site. Filed Under: Italian Alps Tagged With: Dolomites

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My photo on the summit of Jalovec.Hi everybody and welcome to my site which I nurture with love and passion. Here I describe my own climbs and give reviews of equipment. I hope you will enjoy it. More about the site and about me here.

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