Tour of Pale del Garfol

This hike, which does not have a prohibitive length and elevation gain, crosses a marginal and very little-visited area of the Dolomites of the Cimonega Group, featuring the complete tour around the peaks of Pale del Garfol, along paths that are sometimes technical, poorly marked, and therefore suitable only for experienced hikers. 

The loop starts from Passo Cereda (1,347 m asl), following the Signpost No. 801 on a common section with the “Alta Via delle Dolomiti No. 2” (AV2) towards Malga Fossetta / Malga Frattón / Passo del Comedón. After traveling a little less than a kilometer on the paved access road to the hut of Malga Fossetta, the trail takes – on the left – the gravel road “Strada Forestale Frattón” (Signpost No. 801), which continues flat for about a kilometer until reaching the junction at the hamlet of Casère dei Matiùz (1,305 m asl). From the crossroads, the route continues to the right, still following the Signpost No. 801 – AV2, on a stretch of ups and downs in the forest that leads first to the junction at Ortada Granda (1,305 m asl), then to the crossing of the stream of Rio Cigala and finally to the junction at Colàz (1,365 m asl). From the junction of Colàz, the itinerary continues to the right (Signpost No. 801 – AV2), uphill to the S, until arriving at next crossroads at Pala Verda (1,544 m asl), where it leaves the main trail to turn right onto a less visible track that enters the vegetation to the E. 

The track continues for a little more than half a kilometer, leading to the base of the gully that descends from the Forcella del Piz, distinguishable on the upper left by its characteristic V-shape and some cairns located above the boulders of the gully. From the base of the gully the most technical section of the itinerary begins, which climbs the gully following sparse red bolts and cairns; given the landslide nature of the gully leading to the fork, it is a good idea to find the most logical and safe lines to climb up, based on experience, without feeling obliged to pass where the marks are visible. The large boulders downstream of the gully give way to the last section, where it is necessary to use the hands on some easy (non-dangerous) steps on the rock. 

Once the route arrives on the fork of Forcella del Piz di Sagrón (1,961 m asl), as beautiful as it is little-visited, which lays between the imposing walls of Piz de Sagrón and the Pale del Garfol, it is possible to enjoy a beautiful view of the Valley of Mis to the N and the entire Val Giasinozza to the S, with the Pale Alte on its orographic right and the peaks of Cimonega and of the (more distant) Vette Feltrine on the left.

From the fork, the trail proceeds, without signs but on an evident path, down the head of Val Cogolate toward the gap of Passo del Palughét. After a short downhill section, the trail begins to climb again, reaching the ridge of mughi trees located just above the gap, which the path then descends until reaching it. 

The return trip from the crossroads at Passo del Palughét / Paludét (1,860 m asl), the itinerary follows the path of the Signpost No. 729 “Nico Scalet” toward Malga Fossetta / Passo Cereda, which, after a relatively technical rocky passage, descends into the woods toward the Malga. From the pastures of Malga Fossetta (1,570 m asl), in summer always full of grazing animals, all that remains is to descend along the paved access road to the Malga and return to the starting point. If you would like to shorten this last stretch (Malga Fossetta – Passo Cereda), you can continue to follow the Signpost No. 729, which “cuts” the hairpin bends of the road.

Paths

• From Cereda Pass (1,347 m asl), follow the trail of the Signpost No. 801 (AV2) in the direction of Passo del Comedón to the crossroads of Pala Verda, passing the hamlet of Casère dei Matiùz (1,305 m asl) and the junctions at the locations of Ortada Granda (1,305 m asl) and Colàz (1,365 m asl) [1h 15],
• From the crossroads of Pala Verda (1,544 m asl), leave the main path of the Signpost No. 801 and proceed on the track to the right to the E for ~600m, to the base of the gully leading to the fork of Forcella del Piz di Sagrón [1h 30],
• Ascend the dimly visible tracks leading to the fork [3h 00],
• From Forcella del Piz di Sagrón (1,961 m asl), follow the trail down the head of Val Cogolate towards the gap of Passo del Palughét [3h 45],
• From Passo del Palughét / Paludét (1,860 m asl), follow the Signpost No. 729 “Nico Scalet” towards Malga Fossetta / Passo Cereda, until getting back to Cereda Pass [4h 30]. ✓

References

• Scalet, S. (2013). Camminare. Sentieri nelle valli di Primiero, San Martino, Pale di San Martino, Rolle e Vanoi. Versante Sud.