Location: Monte Spitz
Difficulty: Medium-High
Length: 4 km
Elevation Gain: 400 meters
The starting point for the Sentiero della Vena begins from the municipal road that ascends from the hamlets of Grotti and Fontana towards the Fiorentini, in a side street just before the Chiosco Alpino restaurant-hotel.
Start of the trail between hamlets Grotti and Fontana
The starting point is a side road of the municipal road that rises from the hamlets of Grotti and Fontana and continues to the Altopiano dei Fiorentini. The itinerary begins in a expanse of meadows and pastures and arrives at a restored old baito. After about ten minutes, you cross the Val della Fontanella and reach the baiti of Monte di Sotto.
An old natural water spring
The trail resumes more determinedly until reaching a narrow valley that descends from Spitz. You continue along a path that was previously used for cattle, and you can see a water puddle surrounded by stones, used as a watering hole or well. Its source is natural: water always flows out at any time of the year. After a couple of meters of descent on the path leading to the Sabionei, the climb begins.
The ascent to the mountain begins
During the trail, you can also see a small hut used by hunters to monitor chamois and deer. Approaching cautiously, you can spot a rock outcrop with wide views of the valles of Barbarena Bastarda and Vena. The ascent pauses briefly for a flat section and then resumes for the final zigzag ascent that seems endless.
After the climb, a breathtaking view
After completing the climb in about thirty minutes, you reach the road of the Vena. Upon arriving at our destination, you either retrace the path of the Tronconi (approximately 2 hours) back to the starting point, or continue on to Monte Spitz.
