Historical Mountain Routes | Route of Friar Dolcino

From this knoll, the mule track bends slightly to the north to cross the Croso della Posa (equipped) and a stone landslide with an exposed passage. It then resumes its original direction as a path and passes over sloping rocks where the footprint of a horse's foot is engraved (Pè 'd cavall). In the area, a sign indicates the way to attack the mountaineering routes of the Parete Calva.Cross a small wall to climb steeply in a north-north-westerly direction to the Falconera locality, where you cross, bending to the left with a diagonal ascent, a section infested with tall ferns that hide the path. We reach a clearly visible rock jump, which the trail contours by bending to the right, then winding steeply uphill for the steepest slope and turning left to reach the knoll known as Selletto della Scala, 1,200 m, where there was a wire station.

The route winds its way through a grove of birch and beech trees and, still climbing steeply, enters the left side of the hollow of the Bondetto stream, which forks into a narrow gorge.

Amidst hazel and birch tree stumps, the trail climbs with an almost vertical slope, contours a rocky mound, passes the Balma della Calce and shortly afterwards reaches the wooded Intaglio del Bondetto, 1400m.

Itinerary 290, now abandoned and to be avoided, used to arrive here from the north. In common with this last section, turn right to overcome a couple of rock jumps with the help of a chain and shortly reach Pian dei Gàzzari at 1426m.

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Numerous mountaineering routes have been traced on this wall, while to the north and west is the overhang of the Parete del Mezzodì, culminating in the Cima Brione (or Varga Monga), 1661m.The presence of Fra' Dolcino on the Pian dei Gazzari is recalled by a pit pit with stones descending in a helix pattern, driven into the ground in its circumference and which served as a cistern; also signs of that presence are a hollow, perhaps used as a hearth, and engravings of dates and phrases on two rock outcrops. In the first half of this century, there was also a chiselled stone that perhaps served as a table for heretics, removed at a date unknown to local scholars.

Source: www.caivarallo.it