Most people who come to Cortina head straight to the Tofane, Cristallo, and Lago di Sorapis. A short walk from the Son Forca chairlift, though, there’s a quiet grassy saddle with one of the best views over the Ampezzo valley and far fewer people.
That’s Forcella Zumeles, and depending on the route you pick, it’s either an easy half-day walk or the finish line of an exposed ledge traverse.
Here you’ll find where the pass is, how high it sits, the main routes including the via ferrata option, and the practical details you need before setting off.
What is Forcella Zumeles?
A forcella is a mountain saddle or col, the low point on a ridge between two higher sections. Forcella Zumeles links the long Pomagagnon ridge to the Cristallo massif, north-east of Cortina.
On one side, paths drop back towards the larch woods of Larieto and Rio Gere. On the other, the Val Padeon runs down towards Ospitale on the old Alemagna road.
Where is Forcella Zumeles?
Forcella Zumeles Cortina d’Ampezzo sits a few kilometres north-east of the town centre, above the Rio Gere area on the road to Passo Tre Croci.
You’ll often see it described as Forcella Zumeles in Monte Cristallo, because the saddle lies at the foot of a spur coming down from Cristallo di Mezzo. It marks the meeting point of two groups: the Pomagagnon ridge to the west and the Monte Cristallo massif to the east.
That position is what makes the view so good. From the saddle you look across to Sorapis, Croda da Lago and the Tofane, and down onto the Larieto larch forest, often described as the largest in Europe.
Forcella Zumeles height and elevation profile
It measures around 2,072 m to 2,075 m, making it one of the lower altitude peaks.
Point
Altitude
Cortina d’Ampezzo (town centre)
About 1,224 m
Chiave, start of the ferrata approach
1,319 m
Forcella Zumeles
About 2,072 m
Rifugio Son Forca
2,215 m
Punta Erbing (Pomagagnon)
2,301 m
Tip: the saddle is actually lower than Son Forca. So if you take the chairlift up, the walk to the pass is mostly downhill, and the loop back to the hut involves only about 156 m of climbing.
Routes to Forcella Zumeles Cortina
There are three main ways to reach the saddle, and they couldn’t be more different.
Route
Start
Distance
Time
Height gain
Level
Son Forca loop
Rifugio Son Forca (chairlift from Rio Gere)
4.3 km
2 h 30
156 m
Medium
Rio Gere to Val Padeon
Rio Gere car park, finishing at Ospitale
9.5 km
3 h 30
499 m
Medium
Ferrata via the Terza Cengia
Putti institute car park, Chiave
16.3 km
About 6 h
About 1,000 m
Exposed, for experienced hikers
The Son Forca loop is the easiest option. From the hut, follow the dirt road to path 205, which reaches Forcella Zumeles in about 30 minutes. You can then return the same way, or continue on paths 203, 206 and 211 down through Larieto back to Rio Gere.
The Val Padeon traverse climbs from Rio Gere on paths 211 and 204, then drops down the other side through Val Padeon to Ospitale. It’s a one-way route, so you’ll need a lift or the bus back.
The ferrata Forcella Zumeles, also called the Sentiero attrezzato Zumeles or Terza Cengia del Pomagagnon, is a ledge traverse along the south face of Pomagagnon to Punta Erbing (2,301 m), followed by a descent to the saddle. It’s graded technically easy, but the exposure is high. The ledge has a constant drop on one side, the footing is loose gravel in places, and some sections have no cable at all. The equipment was largely updated in 2017. If you’ve already done the nearby Pomagagnon via ferrata, you’ll have a good sense of the terrain.
Not sure which route to pick?
With children or for a short morning: take the chairlift and walk the Son Forca loop
For a proper hike without technical ground: cross from Rio Gere to Ospitale through Val Padeon
If you have via ferrata experience and a head for heights: the ferrata Forcella Zumeles along the Terza Cengia
To see more of the Cristallo side: combine the pass with Rifugio Mietres and the Larieto woods, the gentlest way to explore Forcella Zumeles in Monte Cristallo country
Practical tips for hiking to Forcella Zumeles
Season: the paths are best from June to October, once the snow has gone. In winter, the pass is not walkable.
Map: Tabacco sheet 03 (1:25,000) covers the whole area.
Chairlift: check the Son Forca lift timetable before you go, as it runs seasonally.
Parking: Rio Gere has a free car park on the road to Passo Tre Croci.
Food and drink: Rifugio Son Forca, El Brite de Larieto and Rifugio Mietres are all on or near the routes.
Timing: Start early on the ferrata, as the south face gets very hot by midday.
Must-do checklist:
Wear proper hiking boots, as the climb from Larieto is steep
Bring a helmet, harness and via ferrata set for the Terza Cengia
Carry water, since there’s none on the ferrata
Check the forecast and avoid the ledge after rain
Look down on the Larieto larch forest from the saddle
Plan your Forcella Zumeles hike from a base in Cortina
Forcella Zumeles Cortina is a great option for almost everyone. Whichever you choose, you are rewarded with a quiet saddle with a view straight across the Cortina d’Ampezzo basin.
Staying close to the trailheads makes early starts much easier. D4U has apartments in Cortina and holiday homes across the Ampezzo and Cadore valleys, so you can be at the Rio Gere car park in minutes.
Have a look at what’s available for your dates and plan your days on the mountain with D4U accommodations.
About the author
We are a young, dynamic agency specialising in short and medium-term rentals in the Dolomites. With care and passion, we manage a range of charming homes to suit every type of guest – from couples and families to adventure-seekers. Dedicated to personalised service, we’re here from arrival to departure to ensure your stay is smooth, relaxing, and truly unforgettable.
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