This stage was documented thanks to the contribution of Filippo Ridolfi.
Medium length stage, characterized by the long and arduous climb to the Forcellina di Montozzo.
We are in the Stelvio National Park and the views are magnificent and varied: from the large Pian Palù lake, surrounded by larches, to the rocky Corno dei Tre Signori.
We say goodbye to the beautiful Trentino-Alto Adige and enter Lombardy.
In the stretch of path that runs along the north side of lake Pian Palù, we find some trees knocked over by hurricane Vaia.
The ascent to the Forcellina di Montozzo, the first ascent to alpine altitudes, is long, steep, and sunny: not to be taken lightly.
Water points are absent until the Rifugio Bozzi: bring an excellent supply.
We pass the small Austro-Hungarian military cemetery and continue on the carriage road that crosses the enchanting valley of the Rio Taviela on a flat level. At the bottom of the valley, we find a beautiful waterfall and the small lake Covel. Continuing up and down the hillside on the path, we pass near the Godini Waterfall (which is absolutely worth a short detour).
Shortly after we return to the road and continue quickly westward. Little by little the great lake of Pian Palù reveals itself in front of us with its beautiful color. Once at Malga Giumella, we take the path that descends towards the western end of the lake, and then turn south-east, skirting the shore in the thick forest. The lake is surrounded by larches and it is worth stopping to refresh your feet a little.
After restocking with water at the fountain at the entrance of the path (we will not find anymore), we face the long climb (approximately 800 m height difference). The track, in good condition, leads first to Val Montozzo (with a memorable view towards north-east, on the Punta di Ercavallo, 3,068 m), where the ground flattens, crossed by streams and pools. From here, the climb is more gradual. We are in the heart of Stelvio National Park. Finally, after a short upward cross path, we reach the Forcellina di Montozzo ( 2,613 m), from which we say goodbye to Trentino-Alto Adige.
We descend quietly to Rifugio Bozzi, surrounded by alpine trenches and memorial monuments.
Originally, Rifugio Angiolino Bozzi were barracks of the Guardia di Finanza used in particular to fight smuggling.
Later it was the headquarters of the military command of the Alpini during the White War: named after the considerable heights and abundant snow in which the First World War was fought.
The battle fought at the highest altitude of the White War was that of the nearby Punta San Matteo. In the summer of 2004, the glacier returned the bodies of 3 Kaiserschützen (Austrian Alpine troops), at 3,400 m near the summit.
Conca Covel, located just above Peio, is a small paradise.
A tiny valley nestled between the larches, with a pond where the walls of Monte Vioz look themselves in the mirror. You can refresh yourself with the squirts of the Cadini waterfall.
The trenches and tunnels dug during the war are still visible around Rifugio Angiolino Bozzi.
The carriage road that goes up to the mountain lodge was built during the war. Today it offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful view from the Montozzo basin.
At Case di Viso (in the valley floor below the Bozzi mountain lodge) stands the magical dairy of Andrea Bezzi. A small production of cheeses, produced strictly with raw milk to maintain all the flavors of the meadows, where its Alpine brown and red piebald cows graze.
The specialty of the house is the silter DOP: a very low-fat cheese whose procedural guidelines impose a minimum of 101 days of aging.
Rifugio Bozzi, just below the Forcella di Montozzo. Tel. +39 0364 900152
Starting point reachable by car.
Starting point reachable by bus from the city of Trento, with a change in Malè.
Here the LINK to check the timetables.
Departure point NOT reachable by train.
Va' Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution oft housands of people.
Even the most complicated dream, a 7,000km uphill dream,
can be achieved... together.
Grazie!
