Despite its modest height compared with the major peaks surrounding Cortina, Bèco d’Aial, also known as Becco d’Ajal, has an interesting and perhaps little-known climbing history. This distinctive rocky tower rises from the forests of Fedèra, at the foot of Croda da Lago, and is best known for the short ascent to its summit and for the remains of a military observation post dating back to the First World War.
Its walls, however, have also attracted climbers over the years. In July 1962, Cortina’s Scoiattoli Albino Michielli “Strobel” and Arturo Zardini “Tamps” opened a route on the north face, climbing almost 200 metres of rock with difficulties of UIAA grade V and VI. Further routes were established in the 1980s by Paolo Alberti “Rodèla” and Antonio Colli “Dantogna”, together with members of the Ragni di Pieve di Cadore.
Over the years, Bèco d’Aial has continued to attract the interest of climbers, and other routes may well have been established on its walls. However, I have no reliable information about any additional lines.
The numerous rocky towers surrounding the Bèco have also been explored over the years, and today the nearby crag is one of Cortina’s main sport climbing areas.
A new route has now been added to this small chapter of local climbing history. On August 26 and 27, 2026, Giordano Riello and Massimo “Mox” Da Pozzo opened Via del Dodo on the main wall of Bèco d’Aial.
Via del Dodo
The new route is approximately 150 metres long, with five pitches, and is fully bolted. The name has a very personal origin: the route is dedicated to Edoardo, Giordano Riello’s son, affectionately known as “Dodo”.
The climbing is predominantly technical, on a vertical wall of good-quality rock. The difficulties are fairly consistent over the first four pitches: the opening pitch, graded 6c, is the hardest, followed by three pitches of 6b. The final 5c pitch provides an easier finish to the route.
The route has only just been opened, and the proposed grades have yet to be confirmed. A few repetitions will therefore be needed before the grades can be considered definitive.
Approach
From Cortina, drive towards Pocol and then follow the SP638 towards Passo Giau. After passing Hotel Argentina, continue for approximately 1.5 kilometres. Shortly before reaching Peziè de Parù, there are several parking areas along the sides of the road.
From the parking area, follow the dirt road towards Val di Formin. After crossing the bridge over the Rio Costeana, turn left and continue along the forest road.
Further on, you will see signs for the climbing crag, but do not follow them. Instead, continue for a short distance until you reach a clearing, where the dark outline of Bèco d’Aial comes fully into view.
From here, a path branching off to the right quickly leads to the wall and the start of Via del Dodo.
For more information about the area, see my article about the ascent of Bèco d’Aial, where I describe the hiking route to the summit as well as some of the history of this particular corner of the Ampezzo Valley.
Via del Dodo route description
| Pitch | Length | Grade | Bolts |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | 30 m | 6c | 8 |
| P2 | 30 m | 6b | 10 |
| P3 | 30 m | 6b | 13 |
| P4 | 30 m | 6b | 8 |
| P5 | 30 m | 5c | 8 |
Note: The proposed grades have yet to be confirmed by the first repeat ascents.
Descent
Via del Dodo finishes just a few metres below the summit of Bèco d’Aial. The obvious option would be to continue to the top and descend via the path on the east side, but the final few metres consist of unstable ground, with soil and dwarf mountain pine, and have not been equipped.
It is therefore not possible to reach the normal descent path directly. The route must instead be descended by abseiling along the line of ascent, using the equipped belay stations. A single 70-metre rope is sufficient for the descent.
