A few kilometres outside Perarolo di Cadore, a 103-metre suspension bridge crosses a gorge 90 metres deep, opening up access to one of the wildest corners of the Belluno Dolomites.
This guide covers Val Montina, the Ponte Tibetano Passerella Sospesa that connects to it. We’ll explore the geology of the Forra del Fiume Montina, and everything you need to know before visiting.
Val Montina and the Tibetan Bridge
In 1994, Val Montina became the first area in the entire Alpine arc to be officially recognised as a Wilderness Area. For decades, that protection meant the valley was hard to reach. The stream that carved it, the Torrente Valmontina, runs through a steep gorge before joining the Piave, and there was no straightforward way across.
That changed in 2018, when the Ponte Tibetano Passerella Sospesa opened. The bridge made it possible for walkers, rather than just climbers, to step into one of the few genuinely wild landscapes left in this part of the Cadore region.
Crossing the Ponte Tibetano Val Montina
The Ponte Tibetano Val Montina is built entirely from metal and held in place by a system of tensioned cables and stays, which keeps it stable even in fairly strong wind.
It moves slightly as you cross, but the construction is solid, and the high side rails mean the crossing is safe for children too.
What sets this particular crossing apart is the floor design: the open mesh base lets you look straight down through your feet to the gorge below.
- Length: 103 metres
- Height above the gorge: 90 metres on average
- Walk-in time from the car park: Around 10 minutes on an easy access path
- Suitable for children: Yes, with supervision and adherence to posted rules
- Crossing time: A few minutes at a relaxed pace; longer if you stop for photos
- Best conditions: Clear, calm days for the best visibility into the gorge
Exploring the Val Montina Wilderness Area
On the far side, a path leads on towards Casera Valmontina, a mountain hut and former dairy building that has recently been restored by Veneto Agricoltura. From there, the route connects to trail 399, which continues into the heart of the wilderness area towards the Bivacco Baroni.
Hiking trails and the Rio Montina gorge
The gorge beneath the bridge, the Forra del Fiume Montina, is the geographical feature that gives the whole area its character.
The stream descends steeply through a narrow, scenic ravine before widening out and depositing tonnes of gravel and stone where it finally meets the Piave near Perarolo.
| Option | Distance/time | Difficulty | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge crossing only | Approx. 20 to 30 min round trip from car park | Easy | Families, casual visitors, short stops en route to Cortina |
| Bridge + Casera Valmontina | Half a day | Easy to moderate | Hikers wanting a fuller wilderness experience without serious elevation gain |
| Full trail 399 to Bivacco Baroni | Full day | Demanding | Experienced hikers comfortable with exposed, less-maintained terrain |
The access path from the Ansogne industrial area car park to the bridge is well signposted with wooden markers, and the walk itself is gentle enough for most fitness levels.
The wilderness area designation means trail maintenance is intentionally minimal, so if you’re heading towards Bivacco Baroni, you should be properly equipped and ideally check recent trail conditions locally before setting off. This is especially true after heavy rain given the area’s history with storm damage.
Activities and views at Lago di Centro Cadore
If you’re basing yourself in the area for a few days, it’s worth pairing the Val Montina trip with Lago di Centro Cadore, a short drive away near Pieve di Cadore.
The lake offers a peaceful, scenic perimeter trail that reflects the surrounding mountains, particularly beautiful in spring and early autumn when the light is softer and the crowds thinner.
Combining the two in a single day works well logistically, since both are near.
- Morning: Walk the Ponte Tibetano and the Val Montina access trail
- Midday: Lunch in Perarolo di Cadore or nearby Pieve di Cadore
- Afternoon: Lakeside walk at Lago di Centro Cadore
How to reach Perarolo di Cadore and the suspension bridge
Perarolo di Cadore sits on the Strada Statale Alemagna, the main road most travellers already use to reach Cortina d’Ampezzo from the south, which makes the bridge an easy stop rather than a detour.
It’s located just after Ospitale di Cadore and before Caralte, immediately past the Ponte Cadore if you’re coming from Tai di Cadore.
| Tip | What to know |
|---|---|
| Where to park | Ansogne industrial area car park, with wooden signage pointing to the nature trail and the Val Montina dairy |
| Driving from Cortina | Around 30 to 40 minutes south on the SS51 Alemagna road |
| Driving from Belluno | Around 40 minutes north on the same road |
| Walk to the bridge | Roughly 10 minutes from the car park on an easy path |
| Best season | Late spring to early autumn, when conditions are most stable |
| Check before visiting | Local trail status, particularly after heavy rain or storms |
Must-do checklist for a Val Montina visit
- Park at the Ansogne industrial area and follow the signposted nature trail
- Cross the Ponte Tibetano Passerella Sospesa and stop for photos over the gorge
- Continue to Casera Valmontina if time allows
- Check current trail conditions before attempting the full route to Bivacco Baroni
- Pair the visit with a lakeside walk at Lago di Centro Cadore
- Stop in Perarolo di Cadore or Pieve di Cadore for lunch
Come and explore Val Montina today
Thanks to a well-built bridge, families and casual walkers can easily explore Val Montina, a strictly protected wilderness area, alongside experienced mountaineers.
Whether you’re stopping for half an hour on the way to Cortina or building a full day around the trail and the nearby lake, this is one of the more distinctive things to do in the Cadore area, and it stays uncrowded compared with the better-known Dolomite landmarks nearby.
D4U offers a range of accommodation across the Cadore and Belluno area, well placed for reaching Perarolo di Cadore, the Tibetan bridge, and the wider Dolomites.
