Hunter's Peak

Arriving at the top station of the Lussari cable car, via a narrow road and a subsequent flight of steps, you reach the charming hamlet located at 1770 metres above sea level. This hamlet is dominated by the Sanctuary of Monte Santo di Lussari and the peak of Monte Lussari, which can be reached with a short diversions to the left (1789 m). Once through the village and out the other side, Cima del Cacciatore, the destination of our excursion, appears before us. Continuing along the wide cemented road that descends towards Val Saisera, we soon reach a saddle with a votive chapel at 1715 metres. Here we leave the main road and take CAI path 613, which enters the forest with a moderate ascent. The path turns right at altitude through the steep forest, then begins to climb steeply until it reaches a ridge with large larches. From this point, the trail continues slightly uphill on the steep right-hand side of the ridge, offering a view of the limestone spires of the Croce del Poverello. Subsequently, it bends to the right, crossing a scree-grassy slope, and ascends the gully in a series of narrow hairpin bends, giving access to the wide basin on the northern slope of the Cima del Cacciatore. Along the way, it is possible to observe much of the route already travelled. The marked path continues its ascent, cutting across the scree on the right side of the basin, and with a series of turns leads to the base of a narrow rocky gully that descends from the summit ridge. We cross the first steep rocky drop, equipped with wire ropes, heading obliquely to the right. We then descend a few metres and enter the bottom of the gully. We ascend the landslide gully, with the presence of a wire rope, and eventually reach the summit ridge, where the equipment ends. Climbing back to the right on easy rocks, we reach the summit of Cima del Cacciatore at 2071 metres, taking about 1.30 hours from the start. The summit is marked by a cross and a bell, offering a 360° panorama of the Julian Alps, the Carnic Alps and, further north, the Tauern chains. The return journey is along the same route, taking about 1 hour.