Description

The hike starts in front of Rifugio Vedèrna (1,330 m a.s.l.), restaurant and rooms usually open from mid-June to October. It is possible to reach Rifugio Vedèrna either by walking from Imèr, going up the old military road that leads to the pastures of Prati Vedèrna, or by driving along the ten-kilometers gravel road that starts near the Schenèr dam, in Pontét (Municipality of Imèr). By car, the road does not have any danger, however just be aware of the fact that it is not constantly maintained. During the summer months in the weekend days, it is possible to drive to Alpe Vedèrna also from the village of Imèr, taking the road in Val Noana.

The hike starts from Rifugio Vedèrna, following the Signpost No. 736A through the forest. The path is an excellent and well-marked shortcut that will allow you to reach Malga Agneròla (1,548 m a.s.l.) fairly quickly by avoiding the longer and boring gravel road. From Malga Agneròla, the route continues on the road, going through the pastures, which in approx. 2 km takes to Col Marés (1,540 m s.l.m.), from which you can have one of the most beautiful views over the surrounding mountains.

Sights from Col Marés goes from the magnificent Pale di San Martino (Dolomites), Cima Fólga and Cima d’Asta peaks (Lagorai mountain range), and don’t forget to turn around because on your back you have a nice view on Monte Pavióne and the Vette Feltrine mountain chain, as close as they can get. On Col Marés there is a small round memorial, on his favorite place, dedicated to Luca Corso, a young guy from Imèr, tragically deceased in a car accident in 2005.

From Col Marés, walk about 100 m backwards and down to the small cottage, where the descending path is starting from. The beginning of the path is not clear, but follow the small valley in the meadow and, once in the forest, you cannot miss it, just on the right side of the valley. The path descends for about 1.5 km, crossing some other pastures and, very likely, meeting some cows on its way.

You finally get to the gravel road that, going left, leads you back to the plateau of Pian Grànt, the big pasture of Consorzio Alpe Vedèrna, and then back the hut of Rifugio Vedèrna.

Paths

• From the hut of Rifugio Vedèrna (1,330 m a.s.l.), follow the Signpost No. 736A towards Malga Agneròla,
• From Malga Agneròla (1,548 m a.s.l.), follow the road for approximately 2 km towards the hill of Col Marés,
• From Col Marés (1,540 m a.s.l.), head back for about 100 m until reaching the small cottage, from which a small path descending through the forest starts,
• Follow the small path until reaching the gravel road,
• Follow the gravel road on your left hand side until getting on the plateau of Pian Grand, and then to the hut of Rifugio Vedèrna. ✓

Historical Background

• Malga Agneròla is probably the oldest alpine pastures of the Municipality of Imèr. It was used since the 16th century and nowadays it is still active as an incredible cheese producer.
• Just beneath Col Marés, a bit hidden by the time (and not directly on our route!) but still visible, it is possible to see the so called Prièra, an old white limestone cave. In the past, the white limestone was used for building churches and noble palaces.

ALPE VEDÈRNA

• With the characteristic plateau called Pian Grand (tr. big plateau) at 1,330 mt of altitude, Alpe Vedèrna with its pastures has been historically the main reserve of hay for the livestock of the Primiero Valley.
• Alpe Vederna is governed by a self-standing authority, called Consorzio Vederna. This institution is one of the few remaining examples of the Maso Chiuso law, where only the firstborn male child of each family would inherit the property, usually a small cottage and the right to use the surrounding land. This rules are surprisingly still effective nowadays and used for allocation of the small mountain huts you will see in the fields of Alpe Vederna.
• At the edge of Pian Grand, the hut named Rifugio Vederna was built in 1970, between the farms and the church dedicated to Madonna della Neve.