Mount Piedo
The Geographical Features
.the Peaks Mount Piedo is the only peak in the Danta di Cadore area. It is easily accessible and reaches an altitude of 1686 masl. Solitary peak which is completely covered with woods at its top, has a shaved foresummit with an excellent view over the entire lower Comelico. Having abandoned the valley road, especially dangerous in winter due to the constant snowfalls on the roadway, in the 80s it was decided to build a tunnel to replace it. This work passes entirely under Mount Piedo, piercing it almost horizontally from east to west. The Comelico Tunnel more than 4km long today greatly facilitates access to the South of the Comelico.
.the Valleys To the east, the mountain thins out with a characteristic ridge with spiers that meets with Torondo Hill of the Brentoni Group, there are the wild Valmaden and Lovo Valley. To the north it overlooks the Danta Bogs while to the west it is completely covered with trees and reaches as far as the S. Caterina dam in the town of Auronzo di Cadore. To the south we have the more angry side, steep walls mixed with rock and vegetation which together with Mount Tudaio form the long and hollow access valley to Comelico.
.the Rivers In addition to the Piave River which flows at its foot to the south, also forming a lake owned by ENEL, we have the Diebba torrent to the north which forms from the peat bogs and then descends towards the west into the valley of the same name and flows into the lake of Auronzo. To the east, small Rivers, Mauria and Pinie descend into the Piave digging into the soft red earth present in the area.
Political Borders
Mount Piedo is disputed by 3 Municipalities, its peak in fact marks the border between the municipalities of Danta, Santo Stefano and Auronzo. Dividing it in half towards the West, to the municipality of Auronzo. The remaining part is divided between Danta towards the north, and S. Stefano and southeast. The Border in this case runs along the Tofi Ridge.
The Approach
.from Danta The normal route for Mount Piedo starts in Danta di Cadore, along an easy forest road we pass Tabiarel, Cercena’ and Pra Becchei, characteristic places for peaceful walks, until we reach the slopes of the mountain.
.from Cima Gogna Going up from Cima Gogna makes things a little more sparkling. It starts on the edge of the SS52 road, just before the town. Go up the wooded access road to the numerous private huts on site up to Zamberlan, at the foot of Piccolo Hill, here we take a poorly marked path that takes us to the top, sometimes with slightly exposed passages where you need to be careful and steady.
.from The Dead Coast To go up from Santo Stefano, and therefore add a little elevation to our walk (+796m) we have to go, from the town center, towards the fire station and go up the paved forest road called “Le Ante”, an old connecting road formerly used between the two countries. which takes us to Tabiarel and then take the normal route up to Mount.
.from Ciacula Again starting from the bottom, at the first bridge leaving the Comelico, today the scene of laborious consolidation work, we go up the Ciacula Coast initially along the forest road then along the marked path in exposed sections which takes us just outside the town of Danta and allows us then to deviate to the normal route.
The Climb
Arriving at the foot of the summit, by the route you prefer, reaching the summit takes just over half an hour. In the last part, before reaching the pre-summit with the stupendous statue of the Madonna, we are helped by several steps carved into the rock and made up of wooden planks, the presence of iron stakes and chains is also useful to ensure the winter ascent. Once you reach the summit, the view is spectacular over the lower Comelico and the town of Danta di Cadore. Continuing another 10 minutes westwards we reach the actual peak which is entirely covered by vegetation and bordered by an old abandoned television antenna.
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The Calvary The entire ascent to Mount Piedo is accompanied by the stations of the Via Crucis which make up a small Mount Calvario Comeliano. The Stations are made up of little pictures in bronze hung on a piece of wood from the trees. All 14 vignettes of Christ’s ascent to Mount Calvary and subsequent crucifixion are present.
