Alta Badia

Climbing the Gran Cier peak at sunrise

Trudne

A sunrise is always a stirring moment. Experiencing sunrise in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Dolomites, where an extraordinary show of lights throws the limelight on spectacular rock towers, though, is nothing less than an unforgettable experience.

This hike brings you to the Cier peaks, short outside Colfosco.
 

*By car

• Coming from Innsbruck: take the A 13 and the A 22 toll motorway and exit at Bressanone/Brixen, following the signs to Brunico/Bruneck along the Val Pusteria/Pustertal road as far as San Lorenzo/St.Lorenzen. Follow the signs to Val Badia/Gadertal 
• Coming from Verona-Bolzano: take the A 22, exit at Bressanone/Brixen and continue as above

*By train

The nearest train stations are:

• Brunico - 37 Km
• Bolzano (via Passo Gardena) - 72 Km (via Brunico) – 100 Km
• Connection train station – Alta Badia by the local bus SAD: www.sad.it

*By air

• Innsbruck - 130 km
• Munich – 330 km
• Venice Treviso / Venice Marco Polo – 180 / 200 km
• Verona – 213 km
• Milan Bergamo / Milan Malpensa - 310 /400 km
• Information airport transfer: www.suedtirolbus.it - www.cortinaexpress.it

Reach the passo Gardena/Grödner Joch (2121 m), where you can park and head north on a dirt road that rises up to the mountain station of the Dantercepies cabin lift. Continue through the meadows until the gravel canal to the west of the Gran Cier. Here a well-marked path leads to the canal exit with safety ropes (about 30 min. of climb). Continue uphill zigzagging up to the base of the rock. A pleasant and not too demanding climb leads to the Cier summit (2592 m).

The descent is along the same route.

Starting point: Passo Gardena/Grödner Joch 
Highest point: 2.592

It is advisable to approach the climb with an appropriate climbing equipment.