Ciampedie - Gardeccia

view of the Fassa Dolomites. From the cable car go to the nearby Ciampedie Refuge and then down to the Negritella Refuge. The path n. 540 ("Forest Trail") starts here. It is wide and flat and, once past the ski-run, goes into the woods. As you walk, the view of the Larséch mountain to the right changes continually, and the Catinaccio mountain becomes gradually more and more imposing. You come out of the woods near a few wooden huts and in a few minutes arrive at the refuges of the Gardeccia basin.

Author's advice: The Forest Path is a theme-based itinerary dealing with the secrets of high mountain nature. Trail no. 540 starts from Ciampedie and leads to Gardeccia. You will find 24 informative plaques all along the route, each one revealing interesting details about the surrounding Alpine environment and the animals living in the forest near Vigo.

Stops: 1. The mountain landscape; 2. Water; 3. Trees and water; 4. Mountains and rocks; 5. The roots of trees; 6. Life in the underground; 7. How long are trees’ roots?; 8. And how helpful are they?; 9. The world of forest; 10. How old are these trees?; 11. The Swiss stone pine and its long journey; 12. The tale of the small Swiss stone pine; 13. The tree on the rock; 14. Take a breath of fresh air!; 15. The stumps’ clearing; 16. Resin; 17. The circle of life on a rock; 18. Why do lower branches lose their leafs and dry out?; 19. The sign of lightning; 20. Lichens on bark; 21. The forest is the home of animals; 22. The silence and the sounds of forest; 23. Trees and ground; 24. Woods: a vital resource.

You can visit the educational itinerary by your own; the path is suited for trekking-strollers or toddler-carrier/backpack.