Italian Dolomites Part 2 - Passo Falzarego, Fedaia, Sasso Lungo & Seceda
Full screen gallery below
After the first days with mist and rain, this day seemed promising. It was cold, clear-ish sky and a good forecast. This meant, time for sunrise! The sunrise under Lagazuoi at Falzarego pass was the best option from the location where I stayed. Photographing Cinque Torri and the surrounding mountains. The day started at 5:00am. Luckily with enough coffee to start the day, because this would turn out to be a long day with some epic views and finishing in Seceda.
Passo Falzarego
Well arriving at Passo Falzarego at 6:30am I was just in time for sunrise. However I was a bit unlucky due to the low clouds that where blocking the sun. In the end the sun could just peak through and showed some sun rays streaming down the mountains.
The positive aspect of this was that just after sunrise the clouds could mask the harsher sunlight in the next two hours. This meant that the following photos where softly lit which was a good thing. When the sun was seriously hitting the sky the clouds quickly disappeared.
That created some nice contrasty photos. Here I used the tele zoom, the Fujinon 50-140F2.8 for some detail shots and even creating a panorama photo, maybe my first serious attempt ever! I like it a lot ;-)
Passo Fedaia
After a good few hours I had enough photos, the sun was too high in the sky, so perfect timing to drive to the next location. Onwards to Passo Fedaia and after Sasso Lungo.
The road and climb to Passo Fedaia was quite impressive. I must say, respect to the cyclists that where challenging themselves and the mountain pass, man I love cycling, but for this one I thing I’ll have to train a bit harder.
Arriving at the top of the Passo Fedaia the majestic Marmolada showed all its glory, snowy and icy tops included. What a sight! The photos though are not that interesting as it was very harsh light. The lake, which I wrongfully ignored a bit, was also beautiful. I should have walked across the dam and get some shots from the other side including the dam itself. Pity! Missed it!
Sasso Lungo
So I really wanted to see the Sasso Lungo in summer, I was there in winter 2018, ignoring (sort of and totally my fault, please do not make that mistake) Passo Fedaia and quickly moving on. Heading towards Sasso Lungo. The climb to the Pass was epic. The views, the changing scenery and the climb up to Passo di Sella totally worth it, again respect to the cyclist there!
Arriving at the top of the pass and the limited parking meant that it was quite busy there with tourists and photographers. As it was still mid-day the sun was creating some strong contrast, but luckily some clouds rolled in and made for a more interesting scenery. I especially like the framed version with the flowers in the foreground and the one with the rolling hills at the bottom with the sheds spread around. If you take a good look you can see the many parapenters in the sky - really cool!
Seceda
After the spectacular views of Sasso Lungo I could not wait to get to Seceda. I hoped that luck would be on my side this time. Will I get that epic sunset? Onwards following the winding roads to Ortisei.
Arriving in Ortisei you can park your car at the cable car station in the north east of the town. It is pretty much laid out with numerous roadsigns, so easy to find. Getting all the way up to Seceda isn’t cheap, but worth it. You could walk, but that will take you several hours. The return trip costs about 30 euros.
Seceda is famous for its razor-sharp drops and peaks with an altitude of 2500m above sealevel. The peaks in the background are the "Geislergruppe". When I think of one single Dolomite mountain view, this would be it.
Once up there it is everything like you imagined and have seen on photos. Rolling hills, open wide vistas and razor-sharp drops and peaks. You can even walk along the mountain or plateau edge, just be careful and respect nature and the trail markings. Some people step over the ropes there, but pleas do not as the ground is susceptible to erosion and the ground can literally fall out from underneath your feet. If so, it’s a long way down.
Walking the trail along the edge is cool and can get you some stunning photos. The sunset and golden sun rays where nowhere to be found as the earlier clouds now really started to roll in and made the last hours of the day completely grey. That was a real bummer!
However I still was able to get some cool shots and even get my second panorama photo. I think I’m starting to like panorama photos.
As always all photos where shot with Fujifilm with the X-T3 and the Fujinon lenses; 10-24F4, 16-55F2.8 and the 50-140F2.8.
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