Monte Pezza from Malga Van

Start from the small car park before Malga Van, at the junction of the road leading to it and the tracks you will use to get there and back.

(S/E) Leave the car park via the track that passes to the left above Malga Van. It climbs gently, rising above the valley where the alpine hut and its neighbours are located.

(1) At the first fork, take the track on the left that climbs up opposite the path you have been following. It winds its way through a recently cleared area until it reaches a turning platform where the track ends. If you look carefully, you will also find a spring.

(2) Continue by exiting the platform on the right, where a path enters the forest. This is where the section overgrown with nettles begins. Although the track is sometimes a little congested, the trail remains clearly visible, and you will soon reach the edge of the forest.

(3) When the landscape opens up, go through a gate that leads to the mountain pasture. Cross it, following the bottom of the valley that leads to the pass where Malga Cor is located. Leave the meadow through the gate on the left of the long building on the ridge.

(4) This pass is occupied by several buildings, one of which is rather incongruous in such a place: it is a row of industrial-style garages arranged in a semicircle. Apparently, this building is used to house the animals on the mountain pasture. Leave the pass on the left and cross the neighbouring property by going through the fence.

(5) The condition of the grass in front of this old mountain hut is an invitation to take a nap in the sun, but the summit is not yet within reach. Get ready for the next part, because it's steep! Go around the ruins on the right and follow the trail that climbs steeply along the ridge. After a good effort, go through another fence that leads to a gentler path, but don't let up, as the summit is still some way off. You first have to get over a first hump before completing the ascent of Monte Pezza.

(6) From the top, the view is splendid, both of the Dolomites and the Venetian plain, and the lagoon can be seen in the distance on a clear day. At the post marking the summit, leave the track that follows the ridge and head north towards a group of ruined malghe (a malga is a mountain hut). The trail passes to the right of the old buildings, then continues along the ridge and the remains of a fence. Continue in this direction until you reach the wooded edge that marks the end of the mountain pasture.

(7) Then begin a steep descent into the forest. The path is well marked and follows the ridge that extends from the crest.

(8) After about fifteen minutes of descent, you will reach a track that branches off to the right. Continue straight ahead to pass a hairpin bend on the left, then continue downhill following the track.

(9) After joining another track on the right, you will reach Malga Pianezze, the first flat spot since the start. Pass the house and the road leading to it, and you will see the sculptures at the finish. A gentle path leads between two rows of majestic fir trees. Follow it to a small pass, then continue along the track that extends from it. You will soon return to the car park where you started. All that remains is to go and meet the charming hosts of Malga Van. (S/E).

Malga Van is accessed via a small road that branches off to the left immediately after passing Valmorel. A removable sign invites you to go there when it is open. Even when it is closed, you can still go there. On the way, turn right at the first opportunity, otherwise you will end up at Malga Piavezze, which is also on the circuit.

Bring food and drink for the walk, as there are no shops along the way except at Malga Van (see below).

We checked out this route at the end of June, and the vegetation was quite dense in some parts, especially where trees had been felled or had fallen, thinning out the forest canopy. It's a good idea to wear long trousers for this route, unless you're a fan of stimulating your blood circulation with nettles!

Malga Van is a place where time stands still, an alpine farm nestled in a wooded valley, where two young couples welcome you with warmth and attention. Don't expect a very extensive menu, but the food on offer is mainly produced on site. We recommend the rye bread with ricotta and apple marmalade. A real treat after a beautiful hike. And you can leave with some delicious homemade cheese.

All along the road from Limana to Malga Van, you can't miss the many wooden sculptures that line the route. It's a treat to linger and take a closer look at them, rather than just passing by on the road. At first glance, they seem to have something to do with the latest novel by Dino Buzzati, a native of the region, which is set in this landscape.