Cima Fólga from Calaita

Calaita - Cima Fólga - Cima Grúgola - Lago Pisórno

Lagorai,Lower Vanoi

aaron • 05/05/2020

Details

Sport
Hike
Rating
Difficulty
Intermediate
Duration
05:00 hrs
Length
8.5 km
Vertigo
Medium
Min. elevation
1595 m
Max. elevation
2436 m
Elevation gain
865 m
Elevation loss
865 m
Car park
View on Gmaps
Terrain
  • 40%
  • 50%
  • 10%
  •  Forest
  •  Grass
  •  Rock
Seasons
  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec
Signposts

Description

This classic hike starts from the location of Calaita, by the lake of Calaita (Lago di Calaita), located in the eastern corner of the Lagorai mountain range, in the upper valley of Lòzen. The first part of the itinerary develops in the forest by initially following the gravel road of the Signpost No. 347 towards the west. The gravel road starts directly aside from the access road to the lake of Calaita, a few hundred meters before reaching the lake. After having traveled a pleasant flat stretch and having passed a crossroads – always keeping the gravel road – you will come across a second crossroads, from where a path that climbs towards Malga Grúgola (Signpost No. 358) starts, on the right hand side, heading west.

Once reached the hut of Malga Grúgola (1,782 m asl), the Signpost No. 358 continues climbing along the valley of Grúgola, shaped out by the stream of Grúgola. During the ascent of the Grúgola Valley, which leads to the gap of Forcella Fólga, the sight opens up and the vegetation becomes less dense, allowing you to enter the magical landscape offered by Lagorai, with a remarkable view of the valley and the mountains nearby. Shortly after crossing the southern slope of the little hill called Col Móngo (2,146 m asl), you reach the mountain gap of Forcella Fólga (2,195 m asl). From the gap, the route leaves the main path and heads north along the small path that leads to the top of Cima Fólga. The path, which at times is not perfectly marked, follows the ridge and then climbs up the grassy slopes of Cima Fólga; the terrain is not technically demanding and you can easily reach the summit by climbing on the grassy terrain. Once you get on the top of Cima Fólga (2,436 m asl), you will be enchanted by one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the whole Lagorai, with a landscape that also includes all the peaks of the mountain range of Vette Feltrine and the Dolomites of the Pale di San Martino.

From Cima Fólga, the hike continues along the ridge (with some small technical passages) that connects the peaks of Fólga and Grúgola, north-east towards Cima Grúgola (2,405 m asl). From the summit of Cima Grúgola the route quickly descends to the gap of Forcella Grúgola, from where it continues along the path of the Signpost No. 347 coming from Forcella Fólga. The itinerary proceeds downhill along the Signpost No. 347, to the north, returning towards the lake of Calaita.

While heading back to the lake of Calaita, it is possible to make a short detour, marked with signs after a couple of bends, which allows you to reach the lake called Lago Pisórno (2,227 m asl), a very nice lake nestled between the black cliffs of the peak of Cima d’Arzon. The story tells that the lake of Pisórno, a small but deep high altitude lake, is inhabited by witches and evil spirits; it is said that if someone throws stones into it or disturbs the waters, the spirits will soon after cause a storm to happen.

The route finally descends along the Signpost No. 347; after passing the Malga Dóch Aqueducts and following the course of the impetuous stream named Torrente Lòzen, it returns to the lake of Calaita (1,604 m asl).

Paths

  • From the lake of Calaita (1,604 m asl), follow the gravel road of the Signpost No. 347 heading W, until reaching the crossroads with the path of the Signpost No. 358 towards Malga Grúgola [0h 10],
  • Ascend along the Signpost No. 358 up to Forcella Fólga, passing by the hut of Malga Grúgola (1,782 m asl) [2h 15],
  • From the gap of Forcella Fólga (2,195 m asl), leave the Signpost No. 358, in order to follow the track towards the top of Cima Fólga [3h 00],
  • From the summit of Cima Fólga (2,436 m asl), proceed along the ridge towards Cima Grúgola [3h 15],
  • From the top of Cima Grúgola (2.405 m asl), descend to the gap of Forcella Grúgola, then proceed on the Signpost No. 347 towards Lago di Calaita until the crossroads for the Lago Pisórno [3h 30],
  • [VARIANT] Ascend to the lake called Lago Pisórno (2,227 m asl) [4h 15],
  • Head back to the starting point, by the lake of Calaita [5h 00]. ✓