ALTA VIA DEL GRANITO ON MONTE ZIMON | LAGORAI DOLOMITES

L’Alta Via del Granito (Granite ridgeway) is a magnificent circular hike on the peculiar granite peaks on the Cima d’Asta chain and Cime di Rava, that sits in the Lagorai Dolomites. The ridgeway consists of a network of ancient trails and former military roads, which date back to the First World War and connect the only two mountain lodges of the chain. This route offers three days of easy trekking among fabulous natural landscapes, memories from the Great War, Alpine huts and mountain pastures, along with the evidence of the ancient pact between humankind and nature.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

DAY ONE:  MALGA SORGAZZA - RIFUGIO CALDENAVE

From Malga Sorgazza, which has now become a restaurant, you take the steep trail 328 which leads  to  Forcella  Quarazza  going  past  Lago  di Costa Brunella. From here, you walk on bypassing the southeastern ridge of Cima Trento and arrive at Forzelon di Rava. From Forzelon (saddle/pass), a  short  diversion  is  recommended.  It  goes  on Cimon Rava (2,436 m), which offers a nice view on Cresta del Frate peaks. Once you descend the peak, you hike on along trail 332 bis and you easily arrive at the extremity of the panoramic Val di Rava untl you reach Forcella Ravetta. After this, you descend passing under the northern slope of the imposing Cima Caldenave, walk through a small wood and come out on the large peat bog just before Rifugio Caldenave.

DAY TWO: RIFUGIO CALDENAVE - RIFUGI CIMA D’ASTA

From  Rifugio  Caldenave  you  reach  the  plain, cross the stream and take trail 360 which, leading you through the impressive Val d’Inferno lakes, climbs up to Forcella delle Buse Todesche. From  here,  walking  pleasantly  on  a  high  altitude, you continue northwards along trail 373 and hike along the eastern side of Cengello and Cima  Lasteati.  In  this  way,  you  reach  Forcella Magna, an important passage that connects Val Sorgazza and Alta Val Cia. During the First World War, this saddle was served by a road open to vehicles, whose ruins are evident and which enabled Italian soldiers to transport large pieces of artillery. From the saddle, you descend on trail 380 until you reach a junction on the right towards Passo Socede (trail 380 bis) on a altitude of 2516 m. The trail is marked by some foxhole ruins. From here, you reach Rifugio Brentari in 15 minutes by walking on granite bumps.

DAY THREE: RIFUGIO CIMA D’ASTA - MALGA SORGAZZA

From Rifugio Brentari, you descend on characteristic granite plates until the cableway base. On the forest road you reach Malga Sorgazza and  complete  the  circle.  From  the  mountain lodge, it is recommended to hike up on Cima d’Asta  (2,847  m  -  1h  and  15  min  /  370  m  of difference in height), the highest peak of the mountain chain with an extraordinary view.

DAY FOUR: TREKKING ON MONTE ZIMON

This is an impressive itinerary on a high altitude which connects old existing tracks to one another and allows you to bypass completely the central hub of Cima d’Asta.°It is now possible to do the whole Tour of Zimon by starting and arriving at Rifugio Brentari on an altitude of 2500 m. This path is intended for experienced hikers and signposted as SAT E 392. It bypasses the series of saddles and wild amphitheatres on the massif northwestern slope and meets the long military trail that goes up from Col de Vento ridge. It is recommended to hike on the trail clockwise.

The hiking tour has a 800 m difference in height and lasts a bit shorter than 6 hours. The trail meets  in  the  following  order:  Passo  Socede, Forcella Coronon, Vallon del Coronon, Forcella de Medo, Lago del Bus, Forcella col del Vento, Laste Alte, Laste dei Fiori, La Forzeleta and ends at the starting point Rifugio Brentarl.