Ornella – Dolomite Landscape, Trails and Historical Traces

Ornella amid Dolomite trails and a historic village center

Ornella lies in Val d’Ornella, an almost untouched, green Dolomite valley framed by the Catena del Padon. The landscape is located at the foot of the Dolomite amphitheater formed by the Monti di Ornella in the Catena del Padon, which belongs to the Marmolada group. At the same time, Val d’Ornella lies on the right bank of the Torrente Cordevole, approximately in the middle of the Valle di Fodom. This gives the village a clearly recognizable character: the valley combines mountain scenery, marked trails, small settlements and historical evidence, without these impressions being limited to a single destination.

Trails through Val d’Ornella

The high plateaus of Val d’Ornella, including Rus and Scofe, can be reached via CAI trails and well-marked paths that follow the course of the Ru de Ornela. An important reference point is the Sentiero Geologico di Arabba. On the way to Passo Padon, it runs through the Monti Alti di Ornella and connects the landscape of Val d’Ornella with a mountain experience shaped by geology.

CAI Trail 634 also runs through the Marmolada range within Livinallongo del Col di Lana, from Valacia de Fora via the Monti Alti di Ornella to the junction with Trail 699. The Ornella–Passo Padon–Ornella loop hike uses this CAI trail; on Tabacco maps, it is also marked as Trail 634 B. The starting point of the loop hike is in the center of Ornella, near the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano, and initially heads toward Col d’Ornella.

For elevation planning, the documented distinction is important: the route from Col d’Ornella to Passo Padon involves 900 meters of elevation gain. Without the ascent to Passo Padon, the elevation gain is 750 meters. The loop hike also includes military positions at Col Toron. It therefore combines the mountain route with visible traces of history.

Architecture, church and traces of the First World War

The small settlements of Val d’Ornella feature Tyrolean-influenced architecture arranged around the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano. The church 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 It is therefore not only a starting point for the loop hike, but also a historical reference point within the village center.

Further evidence of the First World War can be found at the foot of Col Toron in Val d’Ornella: galleries and trenches from that period are located there. The combination of Tyrolean-influenced settlement architecture, the Chiesetta di San Sebastiano and the military installations at Col Toron gives the landscape several distinct historical layers.

Orientation before setting out

When choosing a route, you should take into account the condition of the section of Sentiero CAI 634/B from Ornella-località Val to the village of Scofe. This section was abandoned after the severe damage caused by Storm Vaia and is no longer passable. It must therefore be clearly distinguished from the described loop hike and the route sections that are still mentioned.

Val d’Ornella belongs to the Marmolada system, which is recognized and protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage natural site. The Pizongol de Ornela also rises in the Padon subrange, reaching an altitude of 2,406 meters. If you consider Ornella as a starting point when choosing your trip, this is where a protected Dolomite area, specific mountain trails and a richly documented local history come together.

Other places for orientation: Paderno, Montebello, Colderù, Puos Dʼalpago, Perarolo di Cadore, Soverzene, Fonzaso and Vigo di Cadore.

For the overarching travel overview: Belluno.