Trekking
7:25 h
19.45 km
1173 m
1173 m
DifficultA route for experienced hikers that retraces the paths used in the eighteenth century by miners and the military roads dating back to the Great War.
Starting from the church of S.Erasmo, overlooking the Cancano Lakes, continue along the dirt road leading to the Solena area, where there is a picnic area. At the fork, take the descending road that continues to the Fraele Valley, leaving to the left the path we will take on the return. Proceed for 2 km, also crossing a small bridge over the meltwaters of Val Forcola, until you find on the left the start of the "Troi di Strosc" trail. A series of hairpin bends that climbs the southwest side of Monte Pedenolo, restored by some willing local youths in recent years. After a climb of about 500 m in elevation, the trail plunges into the magnificent Pedenolo pastures, with a spectacular 360-degree view. An ideal perspective of the Bormio basin, Cima Piazzi, Cancano Lakes, Monte Schumbraida, and the Braulio valley with the Stelvio hairpins. After a stretch on the pastures, always maintaining altitude and staying on the wide ridge, take the Pian Pedenolo - Bocchetta Pedenolo trail. A section of the route, not always in ideal conditions, that crosses the southern slope of Pedenolo. On the way, you will also find the entrance to the ancient iron mines, used in the nineteenth century. Upon reaching the Bocchetta di Pedenoletto, you return to Val Forcola and after a flat section and a final short climb, you arrive at the Forcola Barracks and the Bocchetta di Forcola, the site of trenches dating back to the Great War. The view over the Terza Cantoniera basin and the Stelvio Pass is priceless. From the highest point of the excursion, the long descent begins along the valley, surrounded by the imposing dolomitic walls of Pedenolo and the severe, yet regal presence of Monte Schumbraida. Passing through the Malga di Forcola and the Fornelle area, you comfortably return to Solena and from there to the Church of S.Erasmo.
