Monte Pavione from Valpiana

This interesting itinerary starts from the location of Valpiana, in the upper Val Noana, and covers the entire western part of the mountain range of Vette Feltrine, the watershed between the regions of Trentino – Alto Adige / Südtirol and Veneto, as well as the southernmost Dolomites mountain group. The hike culminates on the peaks of the Col di Luna and Monte Pavione.

The route begins at the building called Casina Forestale di Valpiana (1,130 m asl), which can be approached by car from the village of Imèr, by going up the road of Val Noana SP 221 and then by continuing to the right at the junction towards Valpiana / Alpe Vederna.

From the crossroads near the building, from which some gravel roads start, the route takes the path that climbs into the forest of Agheré towards the SE; during the ascent along the ridge of Monte Agheré, it is advisable to be careful not to descend towards the Signpost No. 733 (which is going to be travelled on the way back). The well-marked trail climbs gradually into the forest, crossing two gravel roads before reaching the path of the Signpost No. 735, which initially appears as a gravel road. The Signpost No. 735 continues, becoming steeper and narrower, along the steep slope on the N side of the peak of Monte Pietena. A few tight hairpin bends allow you to quickly rise in altitude and tackle a last open stretch, from which it is possible to see an extraordinary sight towards N over the Pala Group. The last part of this climb, surrounded by rocky walls and gullies, leads to the saddle of Forcella Valón (or Forcella Vallón – 2,058 m asl). The saddle lays along the border of the natural reserve “Piazza del Diavolo”, a 601 hectare protected natural area of ​​the national park Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi (Region of Veneto), known for its beautiful “lunar” landscapes on the SW side of the summit of Cima Dodici. From Forcella Valón, the route continues heading W along the classic path of the “Giro delle Vette” (tr. tour of Vette Feltrine): the Signpost No. 801 “Alta Via delle Dolomiti No. 2″ (AV2). The “Alta Via” crosses, in a flat stretch next to the ridge, the S side of Cima Dodici, overlooking the beautiful basin of Busa di Pietena, until it leads to the gap of Passo di Pietena, where the main path would turn left to descend towards the hut of Rifugio Dal Piaz. Once crossed the pass, however, the route continues along the slope named Costa dei Piadòch, leaving the Signpost No. 801 to continue on the track that points to the ridge of the peak of Col di Luna, visible in front of you.

The track that reaches the grassy summit of the Col di Luna is the one that climbs over the ridge. After reaching the top of Col di Luna (2,283 m asl), the nearby summit of Monte Pavione can then be approached by following the Signpost No. 817, which connects the summits of the two mountains, by descending slightly and then rising again along the ridge. From Monte Pavione (2,334 m asl), the track descends along the Signpost No. 817 until it reaches the gap of Passo del Pavione (2,059 m asl), then it continues on the Signpost No. 736, which turns right, heading N, towards Imèr / Alpe Vederna.

After a downhill stretch that crosses several gullies, the path continues descending steeply towards the pasture of Malga Agneròla. From the pastures of Malga Agneròla (1,548 m asl), the itinerary leaves the Signpost No. 736 to descend to the right of the meadows, taking a path that goes down into the forest along the valley between the hills of Spizzo Fagotto and Col Marés, which leads directly to the gravel road connecting Valpiana to Alpe Vederna. From the intersection, the long return begins along the gravel road of the Signpost No. 733 towards Valpiana. Just before reaching Valpiana, after passing a hairpin bend that crosses the stream of Rio Val Carbonère, the itinerary leaves the gravel road and goes up for about 150 m on a track starting on the right side of the road, leading directly to Casina Forestale di Valpiana, starting point of the itinerary.

Paths

• From the building named Casina Forestale di Valpiana (1,130 m asl), take the path that climbs into the forest of Agheré towards the SE, until you reach the Signpost No. 735 [0h 45],
• Proceed uphill along the path of the Signpost No. 735 to Forcella Valón [1h 45],
• From the saddle of Forcella Valón (2.058 m asl), continue towards the W following the Signpost No. 801 “Alta Via delle Dolomiti No. 2” (AV2), in a flat stretch on the S side of Cima Dodici, up to Passo di Pietena [2h 15],
• Once at the gap of Passo di Pietena, leave the Signpost No. 801 and continue on the track that runs along the contour, towards the mount of Col di Luna, visible in front of you [3h 15],
• From the top of Col di Luna (2,283 m asl), get to the top of the nearby Monte Pavione, by following the Signpost No. 817 [3h 45],
• From Monte Pavione (2,334 m asl), descend initially on the Signpost No. 817 until reaching the gap of Passo del Pavione (2.059 m asl), then on the Signpost No. 736 towards Imèr / Alpe Vederna up to Malga Agneròla [5h 00],
• From the pastures of Malga Agnerola (1,548 m asl), leave the Signpost No. 736 to proceed on a track that descends into the forest on the right of the meadows, until you reach the gravel road connecting Valpiana to Alpe Vederna [5h 30],
• Follow the gravel road of the Singpost No. 733 towards Valpiana, until getting back to the starting point [7h 00]. ✓