Passo Feudo Path – Torre di Pisa – Valsorda

(duration 6/7 h – medium difficulty – length 14 km – altitude difference 520 m)

You can see the firs part of the excursion here >>

From the mountain hut Rifugio Torre di Pisa take path no. 516 in the direction of the Forcella dei Camosci. After passing the helicopter landing pad, go down between the rocks and continue through rocky towers. On the flat section there is a junction on the path with the classic CAI–SAT signposts. We continue the itinerary along path no. 516/B which takes us to the Latemar A.Sieff bivouac by walking first over white stones, then over grassy sections with a few colourful flowers.

The descent is easy and gentle and we can easily enjoy the splendid view of the majestic spires of the Latemar mountains. This area is called Schenon del Latemar and in fact resembles a huge back.

STOP OFF AT THE BIVOUAC LATEMAR A. SIEFF

Slightly lower down, in a dip, we catch sight of the red and white tin roof of the Latemar A. Sieff bivouac.  Arriving at the bivvy (2365 m) we can take a look inside: a table, a few benches, a wood stove. Outside a bench encourages us to take a short break and admire the view: on the left the Pale di San Martino can be easily seen and on the right the sharp peaks of the Lagorai mountain chain.

The most difficult part of the itinerary begins now. After a few hundred metres of gentle descent on the grass, the path starts to go down steeply for 400 metres. Along this section pay attention to where you put your feet and it is advisable to use trekking poles to help keep your balance. Stop every so often: rest your knees and legs and admire the scenery. The rock faces change shape and here they are vertical. In front of us is the valley named Valsorda: the lower part is covered in fir trees, except for a small pasture area on the left, where you catch sight of a mountain hut.

SHORT SECTION EQUIPPED WITH A METAL CABLE

Continue the descent. There is a short section equipped with a metal cable, which is useful for climbing over some rocks along the route. Finally we reach the woods and some shade. It is nice and relaxing to stop off under the trees after the descent in the sun and it helps recharge your batteries. The section of the path through the woods is still downhill but becomes more gentle. Keep following the red and white CAI signs to avoid losing your sense of direction. If you look carefully, you will also see some red graffiti left by shepherds who, from the mid 18^th century to the mid 20^th century, spent their summers up here grazing their sheep and goats. A little further on you will see a wooden board with a stylised map of the itinerary for those who want to follow it uphill (just the thought of it is enough to make me feel tired).

Continue the descent and cross a dry river bed to reach the forestry road. Keep going downhill along the forestry road losing height.

‘LA CAVA DELLE BORE’ (THE CAVE OF TREES) : INVENTED BY OUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS

Further on, leave the forestry road behind to follow path no. 516 which goes down beside a stream. This is where the “cava delle bore” itinerary begins, renewed this year. It was invented by our great-grandparents.

Many years ago there were no mechanical aids for working in the forests. During the summer the woodsmen cut the trees, cleaned the trunks of branches and prepared the woodpiles. In order to transport the wood down to the valley our great- grandparents built canals of stone and wood which became fast slides covered in ice and snow during  winter. It was like a bob run. The path no. 516 at intervals runs along the side of this slide which has been maintained over time. In some points, to pass over the steep rock faces and canyons, it runs up above the slide by a few metres.

This downhill section is completely in the shade, immersed in the lush forest of fir trees. The temperature is cool, the damp air in the woods has a strong perfume, different from the sections in the sun.

3 WOODEN BRIDGES AND ARRIVAL AT FORNO (A HAMLET OF MOENA)

Continuing our itinerary we come to 3 wooden bridges which help us across the stream and shortly afterwards we reach the little village of Forno, a hamlet of Moena.

From here you reach the lifts which lead up to the Latemar MontagnAnimata by following the cycling path for 3,5 km. If you prefer returning immediately you can catch a bus which will take you back home.