Leaving Rifugio Puez, we head South along the plateau, crossing two cols along the way. A steeper ascent leads to Passo Cir, where the breathtaking view ahead to the impenetrable, sheer-sided walls of the Sella group is revealed. Drop to the road at Passo Gardena, where we detour from the main Alta Via 2 to avoid a section of Via Ferrata, instead descending through the valley towards the Sella Pass. Surrounded by the peaks of the Sella and the imposing Sassolungo, this is a dramatic place to spend the night.

Courtesy of Alpine Exploratory