Segantini hut, from Pian dei Casoni

Introduction

A short nature itinerary of exceptional beauty. We find ourselves in the woods of the Paneveggio Nature Park, populated by deer and roe deer, but above all famous as the 'forest of violins' due to the very high quality of the wood obtained from the fir trees that populate this valley of the Travignolo river and that is used to produce the resonance boxes of pianos and indeed violins. Finally, it is worth mentioning the gastronomic qualities of the Malga Venegiotta, famous for its homemade gnocchi with smoked ricotta and polenta with 'tosella' (fresh cheese typical of Fiemme and Primiero). Towards evening it is possible to observe the phenomenon of enrosadira (on sunny days the Pale turn red).

Description

Leaving the car in the large free car park at Pian dei Casoni (1,693m), we take the wide carriage road that enters the forest, almost flat, alongside the stream that creates beautiful bends. In about 20 minutes we emerge from the forest and in front of us is an amphitheatre of dolomite spires 1,000m high: these are the Pale di San Martino with the highest peak Cimon della Pala (3,185m). A little higher up on the left, we notice the Agritur Malga Venegia (1,778m, always open in the summer and on weekends during the winter period) and the Venegia hut (unattended, open all year round), good places to stay in case of rain. In the summer months, this point can be reached by shuttle bus from Paneveggio or by car (paid parking), while in the winter months a bar closes the road at the height of the Pian dei Casoni car park, where in any case we recommend leaving your car because of the short walk and the beauty of the forest. The road continues for another 20 minutes on a false level, with a slight climb just before the finish. Having passed a wooden bridge, the road bends to the left and in front of us we find the beautiful stone construction of the Malga Venegiotta (1,824m - open only in the summer months), situated close to the Pale. From here the path, less wide but still well traced, continues between short uphill stretches and falsipiani to the wide rocky plateau of Pian della Vezzana where Gerard Depardieu filmed the film 'Mirka'. Continuing on a slight slope, we reach the wooden construction of the Baita Segantini (2,170m - approx. 2h00' from Pian dei Casoni). The hut, a shelter and refreshment point, is only open in the summer months. It is possible to return along the same route or to descend along the wide carriage road that takes about 40 minutes to the Rolle Pass and from here by bus back to Paneveggio.