Ornella: Dolomite Trails, Valley Landscape and History

Ornella opens up views of the Val d’Ornella, a green Dolomite valley on the right bank of the Torrente Cordevole. The landscape combines striking mountain formations, historic paths and traces of regional history. This creates a destination that can be experienced through both its natural surroundings and its cultural landscape shaped over time.

Dolomite landscape around the Val d’Ornella

The Val d’Ornella lies approximately in the middle of the Valle di Fodom. It is situated at the foot of the Dolomite amphitheatre formed by the Monti di Ornella. This range belongs to the Catena del Padon, part of the Marmolada group. At the same time, the Val d’Ornella is part of the Marmolada system, which UNESCO has recognized and protected as a World Heritage Site.

The Val d’Ornella is an almost untouched, green Dolomite valley enclosed by the Catena del Padon. Its mountain landscape also includes Pizongol de Ornela, a 2,406-metre-high peak in the Padon subrange. Those who value landscapes and changes in elevation during their stay will find a clearly defined alpine setting here, with its own valley landscape and distinctive landmarks.

Hiking trails to Passo Padon

The high plateaus of the Val d’Ornella, including Rus and Scofe, can be reached via CAI trails and well-marked paths. These trails follow the course of the Ru de Ornela. CAI Trail 634 runs through the Marmolada mountains within Livinallongo del Col di Lana, from Valacia de Fora via the Monti Alti di Ornella to the junction with Trail 699.

On the way to Passo Padon, the Sentiero Geologico di Arabba passes through the Monti Alti di Ornella. The Ornella–Passo Padon–Ornella circular hike begins in the centre of Ornella near the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano and leads towards Col d’Ornella. CAI Trail 634 is also specified for this circular hike; on Tabacco maps, this trail is associated with the designation 634 B.

For elevation planning, the route from Col d’Ornella to Passo Padon involves 900 metres of elevation gain. Without the ascent to Passo Padon, the gain is 750 metres. These two figures help you assess the planned route variant and the desired hiking pace more precisely. At the same time, the section of Sentiero CAI 634/B from Ornella-località Val to the village of Scofe was abandoned after the severe damage caused by Storm Vaia and is no longer passable.

Churches, settlements and traces of history

The circular hike towards Col d’Ornella begins in the centre of the village near the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano. The Chiesa di San Sebastiano in Ornella was built in 1483 and consecrated in 1488. After the First World War, it was rebuilt and rededicated to Saints Sebastian and Fabian. It is therefore one of the specific historical landmarks that shape the appearance of Ornella.

The small settlements of the Val d’Ornella feature Tyrolean-influenced architecture clustered around the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano. At the foot of Col Toron in the Val d’Ornella are galleries and trenches from the First World War. The Ornella–Passo Padon–Ornella circular hike also includes military positions at Col Toron. The landscape, architectural heritage and historical evidence therefore come together here in a closely interconnected setting.

More destinations

More destinations: Pieve D'alpago, Corte, Misurina, Santa Giustina, Valle Di Cadore, Lentiai, Chies D'alpago, Pescul

To the main travel overview: Belluno.