Altitude gain/loss: 530 m. approx.
Difficulty level: EE (experienced hikers)
Hike duration: 4 hrs (excluding breaks)
Recommended period: from late spring to autumn
CAI waymarking: 169 as far as Forcella Longerin, then 165, 154 for the return.
Stop off points: Rifugio Forcella Zovo
Itinerary:
A route of great geological and nature interest featuring a range of folded and broken up rocks. Start from Forcella Zovo (1600 m), accessible by car from Costalta, Valle di San Pietro or Val Visdende. Take a level path through conifer forests (waymarked 169) which soon comes out at the base of the east face of Mt San Daniele. The next section of the footpath, along the gorge carved out by Rio Vissada, is steeper, as the stream spurts out of the rock in a wonderful waterfall. When you emerge from the gorge the path levels out a little and cuts across meadows on the slopes of Mt Schiavon (to the right) before continuing to the col (2040 m. approx.), from where it follows the path waymarked 165. It then climbs gently through meadows and dwarf mountain pines to the col which separates Mt S. Daniele from Crode dei Longerin, before descending on scree to the west of Mt S. Daniele and on through forests to Colle dei Pradetti. It then joins a straightforward gravel road waymarked 154 for 15-20 minutes back to the start point.
Watch your step on the first section of descent as this exposed footpath tends to peter out and rocky sections can make it slippery.
