ALTA VIA DEL GRANITO
Southern Lagorai, Cima d'Asta - Rava Group
The ALTA VIA DEL GRANITO (AVG) is a stunning 3-day-2-night loop trail in the unique granite area of the Cima d’Asta-Cimon Rava Group, in the Southern Lagorai. The Alta Via runs through a network of ancient paths and former military routes dating to the First World War.
Three days of easy-paced walk among beautiful natural landscapes, harsh memories from the Great War, mountain farms and pastures, which witness the ancient deal between man and nature.
HOW TO REACH MALGA SORGAZZA: From the Valsugana Highway (SS47) take the exit for Strigno – Altopiano del Tesino. Once in Pieve Tesino, follow the indication for Val Malene, Malga Sorgazza and Cima d’Asta.
After about 10 km you’ll arrive at a big parking lot nearby Malga Sorgazza. Here the Alta Via del Granito starts.
NOTICE: Book in advance the Huts – always check the weather forecast. Check also the trail conditions with the hut managers.
For your safety, check in with the manager of Malga Sorgazza at your departure and arrival.
————————————————————————————————————————
GREEN LOOP – suggested if you don’t have the whole day.
First day: From Malga Sorgazza (1450 m) to Rifugio “Ottone Brentari”
Cima d’Asta (2476 m)
Uphill elevation: 1061 m
Downhill elevation: 19 m
Length: 7 km
Approximate walking time: 3 hours
From Pieve Tesino, drive up for 10 km to Malga Sorgazza through Val Malene and Val Sorgazza. Here, at 1450 m above the sea level, you’ll find the restaurant with parking lot. That’s where the Alta Via del Granito starts.
By taking the path 327, in 3 hours walk you can reach Rifugio Cima d’Asta “Ottone Brentari” (2476 m). From here, the ascent to Cima d’Asta is possible (2847 m – 1.5 hours – 370 m uphill elevation). It is the highest summit of the group, and an excellent view point.
Second day: from Rifugio “Ottone Brentari” Cima d’Asta (2476 m) to Rifugio Caldenave (1792 m)
Uphill elevation: 645 m
Downhill elevation: 1328 m
Lenght: 12.2 km
Approximate walking time: 6 hours
From the hut, in about 30 minutes (84 m uphill elevation) you reach Passo Socede (2516 m on path number 375 SAT). From the pass, you can descend the Vallone Occidentale (Western Valley) following the paths number 380 SAT and 380 bis SAT to Forcella Magna (2117 m – about 2 hours). An alternative could be reaching Forcella Magna by walking Sentiero Italia (Italy Trail) 327 on the first stretch, and then 326 SAT (about 2 hours).
Another alternative to Forcella Magna is to go through the “Sentiero Attrezzato Gabrielli” (equipped trail Gabrielli) which starts from Passo Socede. (about 2 hours – right gear and skills needed for the trail).
Once at Forcella Magna, take the path number 373 under Cima Lasteati, Monte Cengello and Tombola Nera, which with a couple of hours of pleasant walk in slight uphill, leads to Forcella delle Buse Todesche (2309 m – 132 m uphill elevation). From here, through the path number 360 which passes nearby the “Laghi della Val d’Inferno” (Devil’s valley lakes), you wind up at Rifugio Malga Caldenave (1792 m – about1.5 hours)
————————————————————————————————————————
Add one extra day at the Rifugio Conseria (GREEN LOOP).
Taking this detour the trekking becomes one day longer, so 4 days and 3 nights.
Not only is this a highlight to complete the visit of the group, but also a chance for who prefers the SLOW TREK concept and enjoy in tranquility the beauty of places.
Once arrived in Forcella Magna turn into the path 326 SAT, which passing through Passo Cinque Croci in about 1 hr 40 min takes to Rifugio Conseria (1850 m – 22 beds, restaurant. Tel. 349 5507733 – www.rifugioconseria.it).
A very interesting sight to be seen just off the path to Passo Cinque Croci is the restoration of the trenches and fortified network of Mt Socede (Outdoor Museum). After sleeping at the hut, take the path L35 to the path 360 SAT reaching in 2 hours Forcella delle Buse Todesche (2309 m). From this pass, you can take the unmarked but well visible trail to the summit Cima delle Buse Todesche (2413 m – War mule track in 30 min). On the summit, you will be stunned by the amazing trenches, fortifications and lookout posts network. This is a remarkable example of man’s work in the heights during the First World War.
From the summit turn back to the pass and all the way to the intersection between paths 360 SAT and L35. Follow the path 360 SAT, Laghi della Val dell’Inferno and so on to Rifugio Caldenave (1792 m). 2 hours from the pass and 2.5 hours from the summit.
Notice: From Rifugio Conseria you can reach Rifugio Caldenave straight without ascending to Cima delle Buse Todesche, through the paths L35 and 360 SAT in about 3 hours on foot.
Third day: From Rifugio Caldenave (1792 m) to Malga Sorgazza (1450 m)
Uphill elevation: 718 m
Downhill elevation: 1077 m
Lenght: 9.6 km
Approximate walking time: 4 hours
From Rifugio Caldenave, along the path 332, walk up to Forcella Ravetta (2219 m – 1 hr 10 min approximate and 427 m uphill elevation). From this pass, follow path number 332B until Forzelon de Rava (2397 m – 178 m uphill elevation, about 50 minutes). From forzelon de Rava in about 30 minutes you can climb up on Cimon Rava summit (2436 m). From Forzelon de Rava you can carry on path 328 SAT until Forcella Quarazza (2309 m) and so on until Malga Sorgazza (1450 m) in about 2 hours walk.
AVG:
Total uphill elevation: 2424 m*
Total downhill elevation: 2424 m*
Total length: 28.8 km*
Total walking time: 13 hours
*GPS data
The given information don’t include breaks, and are referred to well trained hikers.
The Alta Via del Granito is also walkable the other way around (ORANGE LOOP)
ORANGE LOOP-TREKKING
First day: From Malga Sorgazza (1450 m) to Rifugio Caldenave (1792 m)
Uphill elevation: 1077 m
Downhill elevation: 718 m
Lenght: 9.6 km
Approximate walking time: 5 hours
From the restaurant Malga Sorgazza, take the steep path number 328, which passing by Lake Costabrunella, takes to Forcella Quarazza. So by walking around the South-Eastern ridge of Cima Trento the path leads to Forzelon di Rava (2397 m). From here, if you take a brief and worthed detour, that allows you to get to Cimon Rava (2436 m), a nice view on the peaks of the Cresta del Frate (granite carved staircase) is guaranteed. Once got back on track, continue along the path number 332 bis on a pleasant and panoramic traverse above Val di Rava and its lakes arriving to Forcella Ravetta.
From here, descend on path 332 SAT passing under the north side of Cima Caldenave. By going through a thicket, you reach the marshland which stands just before Rifugio Caldenave.
Second day: From Rifugio Caldenave (1792 m) to Rifugio “Ottone Brentari” Cima d’Asta (2476 m)
Uphill elevation: 1328 m
Downhill elevation: 645 m
Lenght: 12.2 km
Approximate walking time: 7 hours
From Rifugio Caldenave, head down to the flat bit. Cross the creek, take path 360 and treck up to Forcella delle Buse Todesche (2309 m)***. Pass by the enchanting Laghi dell’Inferno. Head north along path 373, which embraces the east side of Cima Lasteati and Monte Cengello. By a pleasant walk approximately at a constant elevation, you arrive at Forcella Magna (2117 m), important saddle which connects Val Sorgazza and the high Val Cia. During the First World War, it was served by a track for vehicles which allowed Italians to set big artillery asset. From the pass, descend along path 380 until reaching the right turn to Passo Socede (380 bis) at 2516 m elevation. Here some ruined trenches are found on the saddle.
From here, in about 20 minutes across granite bumps and boulders, you get at Brentari Hut.
————————————————————————————————————————
Add one extra day at Rifugio Conseria (ORANGE LOOP)
In this case, the trekking would be 4 days and 3 nights.
This is a good option for completing the visit of the ranges, and is dedicated to those who prefer the concept of SLOW TREK, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.
From Forcella delle Buse Todesche***, there is an unmarked but well visible track which leads on the peak named after the Forcella ( 2413 m – 30 minutes long war mule track).
Once on the summit, you’ll be amazed by the intertwining of trenches, fortifications and lookouts on it. These are other remarkable examples of man’s work in the highlands during World War I.
Go back to Forcella delle Buse Todesche, take path 360 SAT to the intersection with path L35. Take path L35 until reaching Rifugio Conseria (1850 m – 22 beds, restaurant. Tel. 349 5507733 –www.rifugioconseria.it).
Please note that from Rifugio Caldenave you can reach Rifugio Conseria skipping Cima delle Buse Todesche on 360 SAT and L35 in about 3 hours walk. Overnight stay by the hut. The following day, in about 15 minutes, walk to Passo Cinque Croci (2076 m) and take 326 SAT, which in about 1,5 hours leads to Forcella Magna (2117 m). A very interesting sight to be seen just off the path to Passo Cinque Croci is the restoration of the trenches and fortified network of Mt Socede (Outdoor Museum).
From Forcella Magna take initially 380bis SAT, and then 380 SAT, which in about 2 hours takes to Passo Socede along Vallone Occidentale (Western Valley). From the saddle, reach Rifugio “Ottone Brentari” by path 375 SAT in about 20 minutes and 84 m downhill elevation.
An alternative could be reaching the Hut by walking Sentiero Italia (Italy Trail) 326 SAT on the first stretch, and then 327 SAT (about 2 hours).
Another alternative to the hut is to go through the “Sentiero Attrezzato Gabrielli” (equipped trail Gabrielli) which connects Forcella Magna and Passo Socede through Socede ridge. (about 2 hours – right gear and skills needed for the trail).
————————————————————————————————————————
Third day: From Rifugio “Ottone Brentari” Cima d’Asta (2476 m) to Malga Sorgazza (1450 m)
Uphill elevation: 19 m
Downhill elevation: 1061 m
Lenght: 7 km
Approximate walking time: 3 hours
Taking the advantage of the clear dawn sky, in about 1 h 30′ you can ascend the summit of Cima d’Asta (2847 m, 370 m uphill elevation) and enjoy the view that in a clear day allows to see the Adriatic Sea and San Marco Square bell tower.
Head back through the valley on the remarkable granite slabs to the “Bualon” (Canal) and so on to the bottom of the supplies funicolar.
Then along a forestry road reach Malga Sorgazza, completing the loop.
————————————————————————————————————————
Rifugio CIMA D’ASTA “Ottone Brentari” – m 2.473
SAT (Mountain Club) hut with 56 beds, restaurant, tel. (0039) 0461 594100. Mobile (0039) 347 8402125 from October to May. emanueletessaro@email.it.
Laying on the feet of the Southern cliff of Cima d’Asta, the highest Lagorai’s peak, among many itineraries in these ranges.
Nice rock climbing on granite.
Reachable from Val Malene on path 327 starting from Malga Sorgazza. Stopover for Alta Via del Granito and Alta Via del Centenario.
Manager: Emanuele
Rifugio CALDENAVE “Claudio e Renzo” – m 1792
Restaurant, easily reachable by car from Pieve Tesino (10 km). Big parking lot available. Start point for “Alta Via del Granito”. Well appreciated restaurant with several local dishes.