Italian Alps

Between Val Viola and Val Tellina.

• Cima di Piazza, 11,713 ft. (?), first ascended in 1867 by Herr Weilenmann, 6½ to 7½ hrs. from Baths of Bormio; 2½ to châlets of Madonna d'Oga, then leaving the Cima San Colombano on the left, in 4½ hrs. to the top – rope required.

• Pizzo di Dosdè; unascended from Dosdè Alp. [Correct 'Alpine Guide,' p. 416, column 1, line 9 from bottom, by omitting words from ascended to Walker.]

• Corno di Lago Spalmo, 10,950 ft., highest peak unascended; the 2nd reached in 1866.

• Corno di Dosdè, 10,597 ft. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 416.

• Cima di Saoseo, unascended, 10,729 ft.

• Punta di Teo, 10,007 ft., from Poschiavo or La Rosa, a sharp scramble at the end.

• Pizzo di Sena, 10,099 ft.

Routes

Carriage travellers can drive over the Fluela and Ofen Passes, and thence by the Stelvio to the Lombard Alps.

Moderate walkers and riders should ascend the Schwarzhorn from the Fluela, go from Tarasp by the Scarlthal to the Ofenhaus and Livigno, and thence by the Passo di Foscagno and Passo di Verva to the Val Tellina.

For walkers a good route is by Silvretta Glacier to Lower Engadine, ascend Piz Linard or Piz Pisoc, returning by Scarlthal to Zernetz. Livigno by Passo del Diavel; to châlets of Monte Elia in Val Viola by Passo di Foscagno; ascend Cima di Piazza, and descend through Val Grosina or to the Baths of Bormio.

CHAPTER VI.

BERGAMASQUE VALLEYS

Approaches and Carriage-roads

The Milan-Lecco and Milan-Bergamo railroads, the Val Tellina; the high-roads from Bergamo, Brescia, and the Val Camonica to Clusone; Varenna and Bellano on the Lago di Como, are also good starting-points.

There are carriage-roads up all the main valleys, but none between them, except in the case of Val Seriana and Val di Scalve.

Inns

Esino. Food for the Grigna can be procured at the first house in the upper village (1874).

Introbbio. The Albergo delle Miniere is closed, and there is only a very indifferent country Inn, 'Osteria Antica,' in the middle of the town (1874).

Val Brembana.

• Val Torta. Bread, eggs, and wine may be had here.

• There is a good country Inn at the cross-roads below Olmo (1874).

• Branzi. The accommodation has been improved. Very civil but slow people (1874).

• San Pellegrino. Bath-house, with warm iron springs.

• Zogno. Inn strongly recommended by Herr Tschudi as a comfortable centre for excursions.

• S. Omobuono in Val Imagna. Bath-house; iron springs.

Val Seriana.

• Bondione. Very rough, but clean beds (1874).

• Gromo. Capital country Inn, with quick hostess (1874).

For other Inns, see 'Alpine Guide.'

Routes

In this region every gap between two peaks is passable, and most of them are used more or less by the people of the country. For a detailed account of many of these side glens and byways the reader is referred to Tschudi's 'Schweizerführer,' vol. iii. 'Ostschweiz,' a very handy work.

It is only possible here to indicate a few routes and excursions. Carriage travellers must in each valley return the way they came; except that, from Clusone, they may turn eastwards to the Lago d'Iseo.

• 1. (Described in the text as far as Monte Gleno). Monte Grigna, Introbbio, Val Torta, Branzi, Passo di Gornigo, Bondione, Monte Gleno, descend to Schilpario in Val di Scalve, cross one of the passes to Val Camonica, or drive back to Clusone (5 days).

• 2. From Lecco through Val Imagna to Almenno and Val Brembana, from Zogno by Oltre il Colle to Ponte di Nossa and Clusone, ascend Presolana, and descend through the lower Val di Scalve to Val Camonica (3 days).

• 3. From Sondrio ascend Corno Stella (8,595 ft.) by a path recently made by the Italian Alpine Club; descend to Branzi; cross Passo di Gornigo, or by the sources of the Brembo to Fiumenero; ascend Monte Redorta (9,975 ft.) and return to Sondrio (3 days).

Other excursions to be recommended are the ascents of Monte Aralalta, or rather the exploration of the glens round its base, and the ascent of the Pizzo dei Tre Signori. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 452.

CHAPTERS VII., VIII., IX., X., XI.

ADAMELLO AND BRENTA GROUPS

Approaches and Carriage-roads

From the Engadine by the Bernina and Aprica Passes, 2 days' drive from Pontresina to Edolo. From Lago di Como by the Val Tellina and Aprica Pass, a day and a half's drive from Colico to Edolo. From Bergamo or Brescia by Lago d'Iseo and Val Camonica, a day and a half's drive to Edolo. From Brescia by Lago d'Idro and Tione to Pinzolo, 2 days' drive. From Riva by Lago di Ledro and Tione, a day and a half's drive, or by Alle Sarche, a day's drive, to Campiglio. From Trent by Vezzano and Alle Sarche to Campiglio, a day. From San Michele by Val di Non to Malè, one day from Botzen. From Sta. Catarina by the Gavia Pass to Ponte di Legno (mule-road).

The only carriage-passes in this district are the Aprica and Tonale. A new carriage-road from Pinzolo to Campiglio is just opened. It is proposed to carry it on over the Ginevrie Pass to Val di Sole.

Inns

Val Camonica.

• Edolo. Due Mori, fair and reasonable (1874).

• Ponte di Legno. Inn clean, good food, civil people (1873).

• Cedegolo. Fair accommodation; exorbitant charges (1874).

Val di Sole.

• Malè. Exorbitant charges (J. G. 1874).

• Fosine, Dimaro. Fair country Inns; clean beds (1871).

• Pejo. Slow and slovenly people, bad food (1871).

• Rabbi. Rough, but clean beds, and enough to eat (1873).

• Campiglio. Inn and Pension. Accommodation good, food indifferent, charges somewhat high. Reductions and great improvements promised for this year (1875), when it reopens under a new management.

Giudicaria.

• Pieve di Buono. Fair country Inn (1874).

• Pieve di Ledro. Inn and Pension. Fairly comfortable (1874).

• Baths of Comano. Good food and accommodation (1874).

• Tione. Cavallo Bianco, a good country Inn (1874).

• Pinzolo. Bonapace's. Food and lodging much improved; great civility (1874).

• Pinzolo. Posta. Also well spoken of by English visitors (1874).

• Stenico. A fair country Inn (1874).

THE ADAMELLO GROUPPasses

Passo delle Malghette.

• Campiglio to Pelizzano – 5½ hours, easy.

Passo di Cercen.

• Bedole Alp to Vermiglio 7-8 hrs., rope required. See p. 203.

Passo di Presena.

• Mandron hut to Vermiglio.

Bocchetta di Marocaro, &c. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 476.

Passo del Mandron.

• Bedole Alp to Val d'Avio and Ponte di Legno, easy glacier pass, 9-10 hrs. See p. 227.

Passo d'Avio.

• Gap at N. base of Adamello; difficult descent into Val d'Avio.

Passo d'Adamello.

• Bedole Alp to Edolo. Gap near S. foot of Adamello; tolerably easy descent into Val Miller, 6 hrs. up, 6 down. See p. 218.

Passo d'Adame.

• Bedole Alp to Cedegolo. A long but easy glacier pass.

Passo di Fum.

• Val di Fum to Val di Genova, by Passo dei Topeti. A direct descent of the Lobbia Glacier has yet to be effected.

Passo di San Valentino. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 480.

Passo di Breguzzo.

• Val di Fum to Breguzzo; easy.

High-level route from Val di Borzago to Val d'Avio.

• From Val Rendena to highest hut in Val di Borzago, 4½ hrs.; Carè Alto, 4 hrs.; Passo di Cavento. Lares – Fum Glaciers 2½; Passo della Lobbia Alta; Lobbia – Mandron Glaciers, 1; Passo di Mandron, 1½ hr.; down to Ponte di Legno, 4 hrs.; four hours shorter without the Carè Alto. See p. 224.

Peaks

Presanella, 11,688 ft. – 3 routes.

• 1. From Passo di Cercen – up, 3½ hrs., down, ¾ hr. See p. 199.

• 2. From Val di Genova by Val Gabbiol.

• 3. From Val Nambrone or Pinzolo by the Nardis Glacier – the easiest – a day and a half from Campiglio or Pinzolo.

Adamello, 11,637 ft. – 5 routes.

• 1. From Bedole Alp, ascent 6¼ hrs., easy. See p. 211.

• 2. From Alp in Val d'Avio by P. di Mandron, easy, and not longer than from Bedole.

• 3. From Alp in Val d'Avio by Passo d'Avio, more direct, but difficult.

• 4. From Val Miller, not difficult with a good guide, when the rocks are free from ice, but unknown to the people of the country.

• 5. From Val di Salarno or Val d'Adame, easy.

A good day's walk for an active mountaineer, from the Bedole Alp, over the Adamello, to Ponte di Legno, Edolo, or Cedegolo.

Carè Alto, 11,357 ft. (more probably 11,500). See p. 224.

• From highest comfortable châlet in Val di Borzago, 6 hrs. by the W. ridge. The E. ridge may prove possible and shorter. It is possible to descend over the Lares Glacier into Val di Genova, to pass through the Passo di Cavento into Val di Fum, or to take the course to Val Camonica above referred to. A direct ascent of the peak from Val di Fum looks very difficult.

The minor summits of this group have not all been attained; there are none which appear to offer serious difficulties.

THE BRENTA GROUPPasses

Passo del Grostè.

• Campiglio – Flavona Alp, 4 hrs., easy.

Bocca di Vallazza.

• Flavona Alp – Val delle Seghe – Molveno. Rough walking, difficult to find in fog, and not known in the country. In descending, keep near the stream down to the bottom of the first step, afterwards on the left bank, recrossing at the plain where the two branches of Val delle Seghe unite.

Passo di Flavona.

• Flavona Alp – Spor. Easy mule-road.

• From the Flavona Alp a rough cart-track leads through Val Teresena to Tuenno in Val di Non in 4½ hrs. See p. 270.

Bocca della Vallesinella.

• Campiglio by the Vallesinella to N. branch of Val delle Seghe. A fine pass, crosses a glacier, 7-8 hrs.

Bocca di Brenta. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 487.

• At least 9 hrs. from Pinzolo to Molveno.

Passo d'Ambies. See p. 257.

• Pinzolo or Campiglio to Baths of Comano, 10-11 hrs.; requires a good guide or practised climber and a rope. From Bocca dei Camozzi (see post) turn left to gap in snowy ridge at head of Val Agola Glacier. Descend trough at S. corner of gap into head of Val d'Ambies. It is much the same distance whether the traveller goes at once into the glen, or skirts to the right before descending. Tracks are soon found in either case.

Pass from Val d'Ambies to Val Cedeh and Molveno, not difficult.

Pass from Val d'Ambies to Val d'Algone; no information, but certainly easy.

Pra Fiori Pass, Pinzolo – Val d'Algone, a good mule-path, 3 to 3½ hrs. to glassworks; thence carriage-road to Stenico.

Peaks

B. Nicolosi of Molveno is an excellent guide for the Brenta group. He is strong, skilful, and always in a good temper.

No information as to the minor peaks N. of the Cima di Brenta, the Sasso Alto, Sasso Rosso, Mondifra and Cima di Grostè. It is believed they have been ascended from Campiglio.

Cima di Brenta, 10,615 ft.

• Up 5 hrs., down 3 hrs. Follow path through wood, round S. base of Monte Spinale; ascend the Vallesinella to the châlet, cross stream, and climb zigzag path to brow overlooking Val Brenta. Skirt Val Brenta side of some rocks, then recross into head of the Vallesinella; ascend glacier seen among the cliffs right. From platform at its head climb rocks left, and pass over the first to the highest peak. See p. 264.

2nd route, from Bocca della Vallesinella.

• Cut up steep snow-slope S. of Bocca, and keep close to the E. side of a small glacier – up 1½ hr., down 20 m.

Cima Tosa, 10,780 feet. See p. 275 and 'Alpine Guide,' p. 489.

Cima di Nafdisio, or Cinglo di Movlina, 10,000 ft. (?) The peak visible from Pinzolo. Unascended.

EXCURSIONS FROM PINZOLO

Guides recommended by the Trentine Alpine Society – G. Botteri, employed by Payer; G. Catturani, has ascended the Adamello; Antonio dalla Giacoma, detto Lusion da Caderzone; all know the Presanella. Good donkeys, but no mules or side-saddles, are to be had at Pinzolo. B. Nicolosi, of Molveno, has been up the Carè Alto. N. Clemente of Roncone (near Tione) knows Val di Fum. Francesco P. Peotta and Sebastiano D. Roer, both of Stenico, for Val d'Algone and the Cima Tosa (?)

For moderate walkers.

• Pra Fiori. Along ridge to Dos di Sabione, descend through Val Agola, 6 to 8 hrs.

• For other excursions in the Brenta group, see Campiglio.

• In the Adamello range, —

• La Porta dell' Amola. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 471.

• Lago di San Giuliano and Corno Alto. Must command fine views.

• Bedole and Venezia châlets. 8 hrs. there and back; car-road for some miles, then horse-path 'Alpine Guide,' p. 475.

• Val di Borzago. 1 hrs. drive, to Borzago 2 hrs. walk, up valley. Should, if possible, be combined with Corno Alto.

For climbers. See Peaks and Passes, ante.

EXCURSIONS FROM CAMPIGLIO

Guides. See Pinzolo. A forester can generally be found, and, except on snow or ice, these men are as a rule quite capable. Donkeys may be hired, and side-saddles are promised for 1875. Visitors will find it easy to add largely to the list given below.

For moderate walkers.

• Monte Spinale, 3 hrs. easy walking.

• Monte Ritorto, a little longer.

• Vallesinella and tour of Monte Spinale – a beautiful walk.

• Vallesinella. Follow path to Cima Tosa (see ante), but instead of recrossing into Vallesinella, follow track right, leading to upper level of Val di Brenta – the finest easy excursion.

• To head of Val di Brenta, 5 to 6 hrs. there and back.

• Val Agola, Dos di Sabione, Pinzolo; or Val Agola, Glassworks in Val d'Algone, Pinzolo. See ante.

For climbers.

• Bocca dei Camozzi, Campiglio – Pinzolo. Mount glacier S.W. of Cima Tosa to head, descend glacier falling towards Val Agola, leaving it on its left bank, 11 hrs.; rope necessary; a magnificent walk.

• See Peaks and Passes, ante. The Cima Tosa and Cima di Brenta can be ascended without sleeping out.

Routes

For riders and carriage travellers.

• Cross the Aprica, and Tonale Passes, Val di Sole, Ginevrie Pass, Campiglio, Pinzolo, Tione, Riva, by Lago di Ledro, Baths of Comano, Stenico, Molveno, San Michele.

For walkers.

• Coming from the Orteler. For High Passes from Santa Catarina to Val di Sole, see Appendix C. Over the Presanella to Pinzolo and Campiglio; over Cima di Brenta to Molveno; return by Cima Tosa to Pinzolo, Val di Genova, Adamello, Ponte di Legno; [or Adamello, Val Saviore, Val di Fum, Carè Alto by Passo di Cavento, descending to Tione by Val di Borzago.]

CHAPTER XII.

THE PRIMIERO DISTRICT

Approaches

From the West.

• By the high-road from the railroad at Neumarkt, passing through Predazzo. Carriage-road from Trent, through Val Sugana to Strigno and Tesino; thence mule-path.

From the South.

• By the high-road from Vicenza, through Bassano to Fonzaso, and thence up the valley of the Cismone to Primiero (carriage-road, with a break of 10 miles between Fonzaso and Pontetto).

From the East.

• From Cortina (mule-road), or Belluno (carriage-road), to Val d'Agordo and thence by mule-path, or to Fonzaso viâ Feltre and thence as above.

From the North.

• From railroad at Bruck, Atzwang, or Botzen, over Seisser Alp or Caressa Pass, to Campidello or Vigo (mule-paths); thence road to Predazzo, Paneveggio, and over Costonzella Pass.

Inns

Paneveggio.

• The old Hospice is well kept. There is one good bedroom, and 3 others tolerable, and the fare is reasonably good (1872).

San Martino di Castrozza.

• A large new Inn and Pension is to be opened here this year (1875).

Agordo.

• The Inn here has been hardly treated by some recent travellers. It fully deserves the praise given in the 'Alpine Guide' (1872).

PassesROUND THE PRIMIERO GROUP

Passo di Gosaldo. {

Passo di Cereda. {

• Agordo-Primiero, good and much frequented mule-path – 7 to 8 hrs. See p. 286 and 'Alpine Guide,'p. 468. Food can be got at the villages on the way, and wine at a little inn beautifully situated near the second pass.

Passo di Costonzella.

• Primiero, S. Martino, Paneveggio, Predazzo. Good carriage-road. See p. 284 and 'Alpine Guide,' p. 458 (vol. iii.).

Passo di Valles.

• Paneveggio to Cencenighe, Agordo or Caprile; mule-road; 'Alpine Guide,' p. 488.

ACROSS THE GROUP

Passo di Travignolo.

• Paneveggio to Gares, through the gap between the Cimon della Pala and Vezzana, would be more difficult the other way; rope and ice-axes required. (6½ hrs.) See p. 297.

Passo delle Cornelle.

• San Martino to Gares; no difficulty, but rough walking. See p. 294 and 'Alpine Guide,' p. 469.

Passo ?

• San Martino to Valle di San Lucano. From the Passo delle Cornelle strike across the table-land to the route of the Passo di Canale, near the Coston di Miel. The distance between the tracks of these two passes would probably be little more than an hour. Not yet made (?) but certainly easy.

Passo di Val Pravitale.

• Gares, or San Martino to Val di Pravitale, and Primiero. A rough but easy walk.

Passo di Canale.

• Primiero – Valle di San Lucano – Agordo. See p. 288; 'Alpine Guide,' p. 469.

• The various passes over the table-land behind the Primiero peaks can be combined at discretion. It would be quite possible, for instance, to go from Paneveggio to Primiero, by the Passo di Travignolo and the Passo di Val Pravitale, ascending either the Vezzana or the Fradusta.

The passes between the Primiero valley and Val di Mel await exploration. The route over Monte Pavione is described in the 'Alpine Guide,' p. 456.

PeaksIN THE PRIMIERO GROUP

Cima Fuocobono. Unascended.

Cima di Vezzana. Easy from Gares by the route of the Passo di Travignolo, more difficult from Paneveggio.

Cimon della Pala. Very difficult; only to be attempted with first-rate guides, and from the side of Paneveggio.

Cima della Rosetta. Easy ½ hr. from Passo delle Cornelle.

Palle di San Martino. Unascended.

Cima di Ball. Tolerably easy from the Val Pravitale.

Sass Maor. Unascended.

Cima Cimedo. Unascended; probably easy.

Cima della Fradusta. Easy from Val Pravitale.

Cima di Canale.}

Coston di Miel.}

• Easy from Passo di Canale.

Sasso di Campo.}

Sasso Ortiga. }

• Unascended.

The principal outlying peaks towards Val d'Agordo are Monte Agnaro, Monte San Lucano, Cima di Pape. The last is a fine view point, easily accessible from Cencenighe.

S. OF PASSO DI GOSALDO.

Il Piz. Unascended (the height is often under-estimated; it must be about 9,500 ft.).

EXCURSIONS FROM PRIMIERO

See Ball's 'Alpine Guide,' p. 456.

Mountaineers can ascend to the table-land by any one of the glens, and return by another. See Peaks and Passes, ante. There are no good guides as yet at Primiero. There are fair men at Cortina and Caprile, a day's journey east. To moderate walkers the following excursions are recommended by Mr. Gilbert.

• I. Down the Valley to Mezzano, and up the very fine gorge of the Noana. The ravine may be followed till a small malga upon an alp is reached; then turning N., the deep valley of the Asinozza is crossed, and bearing to the left, the Capella di S. Giovanni, upon a charming little alp, may be visited. Thence resume the Northern course, and descend direct upon Primiero. This is a pleasant round for ladies.

• II. Cross the bridge to Ormanico, and ascend the hill behind the village; an easy path works up a small valley, turning eventually upon the side of the hill that impends over the Castello della Pietra. Here is a terrace path, at a considerable height, which, with the open alp beyond, commands a striking view of Val di Canale, and of the array of peaks at its head.

• III. The finest walk from Primiero is certainly past the Castello della Pietra up Val di Canale. Arriving at the entrance of Val Pravitale the path up the Val di Canale may be pursued a short distance, and then turning to the left a path may be taken along the ridge overlooking Val Pravitale, and commanding fine views of it, and of the Sas Maor opposite.

• IV. The new road to San Martino di Castrozza affords the best general view of the Primiero Dolomites, and an agreeable variation is obtained by ascending the hills on the left towards Mte. Scanaiol, and visiting the Lago Calaita, at foot of Mte. Arzon, which ought to offer a good panoramic view of the district. I have not heard of anyone ascending it. From the Lago Calaita, a bare scene, the Val di Lozen might be descended till it joins the Canale di S. Bovo, not far from the wild Lago Nuovo. But the traveller returning to Primiero ought to turn S. before the village of Prade, cross a low ridge, and either descend by the regular mule-track through the Cismone valley, or follow a charming path which runs along the N. slope of the valley high above Imer and Mezzano.

• V. Ascent of Mte. Pavione. Very interesting view to South. Ladies can ride to foot of final peak. Two routes, one through the Noana gorge for some distance. Four hours to summit from Primiero. Belluno, Venice, and Aquileia visible in clear weather. Dolomites not well shown.

Routes

For riders.

• Agordo, Excursion to Valle di San Lucano, Primiero by mule-road. Drive to Paneveggio, return by Passo di Valles to Agordo or Caprile.

For walkers.

• From Agordo by Passo di Canale to Primiero. To San Martino by Val Pravitale and Cima della Rosetta. To Paneveggio by Laghi di Colbricon; thence to Gares by Passo di Travignolo, ascending Cima di Vezzana on the way.

CHAPTER XIII.

VAL DI ZOLDO

Inns

See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 524.

A good new Inn, Hotel Antelao, has lately been opened at San Vito, on the Ampezzo road.

Approaches

Val di Zoldo is enclosed on three sides between the carriage-road of the Val d'Agordo and the Ampezzo, 'strada regia,' and on the fourth by the mule-pass from S. Vito to Caprile. It is only accessible by horse-paths, and the best starting-points are Longarone, Tai di Cadore, San Vito, Caprile, and Agordo.

Peaks

Pelmo, 10,377 ft. See p. 314 and 'Alpine Guide,' p. 525; 1st column, 13 lines from bottom, read, 'from the S. and E. sides of the mountain.' The route from Zoppé is the same as that from Borca followed by Mr. Ball. Agosto di Marco of Brusadaz is a good guide.

Civetta, 10,440 ft. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 526.

Monte Moscosin.}

Monte Vescova. }

Monte Pelf. }

• E. of Agordo.

Sasso di Bosco Nero. }

Monte Sfornioi. }

• Unascended. E. of Forno di Zoldo.

Passes

Forcella del Sasso di Bosco Nero.

• Forno di Zoldo to Ospitale. Descend the valley to a point 10 min. beyond the octagon oratory of San Giovanni, pass below Fagare, and cross (40 min.) to the left bank of Val Bosco Nero; ascend valley to pass (1 hr. 50 min.); descend into Val di Campestrin and the Casera di Val Bona, and thence by a path on the left side of the torrent into the valley of the Piave (2 hrs.). M. Holzmann.

Forcella Cibiana.

• Forno di Zoldo to Venas, horse-path. 'Alpine Guide,' p. 524.

• Zoppé to Vodo, horse-path. See 'Alpine Guide,' p. 523.

Passo di Rutorto.

• Zoppé or San Nicolo to San Vito, horse-path skirting the base of the Pelmo (about 5 hrs.).

Forcella Stanlanza.

• Pecol to Val Fiorentina, and by Forcella Forada to San Vito. This with the Passo di Rutorto completes the circuit of the Pelmo. It is easy to cross from the Campo di Pelmo to the Forcella Stanlanza without descending into Val di Zoldo, so that this circuit can well be made in a day by an active walker.