945 Arsiero, Malga Zolle, Monte Cimone, Campana, Barcarola.

Contact person LUIGI - ([email protected] ) - Last reconnaissance 23/10/2022

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET.

Hourly direction - Length = 51 km - Sal/Disc elevation gain = +1500 m

Elevation min/Max = 260 / 1220 - Standard time 4:30 min hours

Average speed = 11.3 Km/hour - Cyclability over time 98% (walking 5 min)

Technical Difficulty = 4/7 MEDIUM - GD= 60 Medium/Difficult

Electricity Consumption =450 Wh

NOTE: A number of alternatives will be highlighted in the description between the trail shown in the trail (with challenging sections) and an easier route on paved road or forest track. It is up to you to choose based on your ability and liking.

DESCRIPTION:

From the parking lot in the lower suburbs, you will drive to the center of Arsiero via small side streets. Climb steeply up via Perozza until you meet in wpt C the S.P.81; from here the first alternative mentioned in NOTE: the trail has a few rocky sections while keeping the S.P. up to C1 will be all asphalt. A good dirt road follows up to Crosara and shortly after you take the long climb (asphalt until q. 810 and then dirt) that leads to the junction of Malga Zolle di dentro: it's almost 11 Km but the bottom is always good and the slope never excessive (average 7.5% max 10%)

The first part takes place in the shade of the forest, then opens up into vast and scenic clearings. After the fork, the ridge of mountains including the Spiz di Tonezza (1694) to the north/east and Mount Campomolon (1853) to the north becomes apparent.

We chose the right season for the section that follows: a stupendous descent covered by a bed of dry leaves ! From an altitude of 910 we ascend to Valle and then to the village of Pontara (q. 1085) where there is a kiosk/bar and also a table and benches for a free rest. After the well-deserved refreshment you resume on the Excalibur trail among large beech trees and slabs of rocks that surround it. From Vallà climb up bypassing a campsite then from J back into the woods. In K a second alternative: the trail follows the Fogazzaro path (a bit technical with slight exposure and some roots that will balk for a few meters). If instead you keep left, you follow a wide forest path with an ascent of about ten meters followed by steep descent; in K3 the two alternatives come together.

A stupendous winding and swinging stretch still covered with leaves follows, leading to the L 1020 junction.

From here there is a digression (round trip) to Mount Cimone on which stands the Sacrario degli Alpini monument; highest point of the route at L 1220. The moderately sloping road is paved until the square (q. 1180) then continues on dirt road. Downhill you can enjoy from the alternative on trail, from L3, keeping left.

The digression involves 6.3 km and an elevation gain of 200 m .... but the view from the top is exceptional so, if you have sufficient time and energy, I highly recommend it, . Back in the L, a fourth alternative presents itself shortly afterwards: the Dell'Orsa Valley, which, as traced, involves a nice section of forestry and one of trail (between M1 and M2). If, on the other hand, you want to make it short and easy, from wpt M just keep to the asphalt road on a fast descent to soon descend to CAMPANA. Cross the village and take the small road to the hamlet of Pierini. In the last stretch to descend to the hamlet you have to do a rocky staircase: it is only 70 meters but I recommend doing it on foot ! You arrive on the S.P. (Arsiero-Tonezza) and walk a section of it, until you reach wpt V 840 from which a fifth alternative presents itself: either follow the trail on a path that cuts the hairpin bend or stay comfortably on the S.P. on which (in V1 755) the trail arrives anyway. Just below (W 745) the little road called the Barcarola (hamlet at the end of the descent into Val D'Astico) comes off. Immediately find a prohibition due to landslides but fortunately by bike, with a few meters walk, you pass.

WARNING: in case of heavy rains (present or just happened) this path becomes dangerous; not so much for the first landslide but for a second one below where there was a landslide that eroded the ballast with danger of total collapse. That being the case, given the beautiful day and the precedent of dry weather, we descended the numerous hairpin bends (23 in all); at the 14th we passed the first landslide and further down two others, finally reaching the valley floor. Crossing the small bridge at Barcarola, we continued on the beautiful bicycle path high on the Astico and at the base of the Asiago plateau. You skirt the ruins of the ancient Torrione di Pedescala (wpt X1) then also a lush waterfall; at loc. Pria the magnificence of the gorges of the Astico torrent (visible from the bridge) is worth a stop. Continuing on the bike path, now level, you reach SCHIRI where you cross the S.P. and a bridge over the Astico at q. 260. From here you have to go back up to Arsiero, and you do this via minor roads. In Y1 you cross the S.P. again and following the last dirt road (for y2 and y3 ) you reach the eastern outskirts of Arsiero and then the parking lot.

HOW TO GET TO THE STARTING POINT.

Starting from Mestre, you can take the A4 to Grisignano di Zocco and shortly after the A31 Val D?Astico and exit at the Piovene Rocchette barrier; take the state road to TRENTO ARSIERO and in view of the village where the S.P. curves to the right, you will find ample parking beside the trattoria/bar La Vigneta.

Decimal coordinates : N 45.806 E 11.359