Mount Schiaron from Vissada Valley (CAI-169-196)

.169 We start from F.la Zovo where we arrived by car and, having properly parked it to allow parking for other cars, we start taking the path with the CAI-169 sign. Initially we proceed through the woods with a flat course. Leave the woods behind us and cross the scree slopes of M. San Daniele on a newly built mule track. Continue slightly uphill to the north until you reach the end of M.S.Daniele, from where you have a wonderful panoramic view of the Val Visdende, with the Rinaldo-Ferro Group nearby on the right and in the distance the M.Peralba.

Now the climb becomes more concrete, always on the side of M. San Daniele, you rise for 150m in the entrance of Val Vissada by steep natural channel between M. Schiaron and M. San Daniele on coarse gravel ground; from here you can also admire a characteristic waterfall of the Rio di Vissada called “Pisandui”. Upon reaching the gate that separates the valley, we reached around 1727 meters above sea level. and from this summit of the Val Vissada, the C.de d. Longerin. The road now climbs on the right side of the valley, along the base of M. Schiaron, and after covering about 500m of ascent, occasionally making encounters with some curious marmots along the pasture on our left, you can choose whether make a stop on the large stone at the roadside or decide to exit the route and walk towards the recently restored bivouac located in the center of the valley. After refreshing ourselves properly, we continue our journey northwards; now the climb is much gentler and in a short time it takes us almost to the top of the Val Vissada where we meet the crossroads with a crossroads that we turn right taking the path with the CAI-196 trail sign.

.196 The path climbs to the top of Monte Schiaron. You initially walk on the flat along the old excavations of the trenches dating back to the First World War. As soon as you go up to the coast we can see on the right side of the path the ruins of the Malga Val Vissada which once housed the sheep during the summer, while slightly above the road on the left hidden at the passage but clearly visible when going down, there is a small lake, it was raining.

Now we begin to climb grassy slopes, the path is always well marked and not demanding. Reached the fork near the top it stands out in front of us steep. To climb it you have to go around it to the right passing under it and gain it from the South East side for grassy slopes. In the crossing to the right about halfway you have to climb a channel with landslides and reached the top you can choose to go right or left. The simplest way turns right, climbing over a boulder that hides the continuation, here the path is traced with stone cairns, you continue for about twenty meters along gravels arriving at the Sue East side of the peaks and turning 180 degrees there all that remains is to go up to the cross which is about thirty meters from this point. The road that leads to the summit continuing to the left is slightly more demanding as it turns around the rocky tooth of the mountain and once on the North side we have to pass a steep gully crouching due to the narrow passage. Then, continuing horizontally, you pass a window carved into the rock and then you pass the entrance hole of the bunker / cave dug directly into the top of the mountain.

Still on the north side, you can climb to the top in a short time through meadows. The undisputed protagonists of the panorama are the Longerin’s Rocks that face imposing with their spiers if we turn to the northwest. The summit offers a splendid view of the Val Vissada and Val Visdende, but also of the villages of the municipality of San Pietro in Primis. Its central position allows a 360 ° view of the Comelicense area, the very close Monte San Daniele, Monte Curie’ and all the neighboring groups starting from the Rinaldo-Ferro Group a few kilometers away. The East Border Line is also clearly visible. and in the distance Monte Peralba.

.considerations The climb to Monte Schiaron leads to an altitude of 2426 msl .; starting from F.la Zovo there is an elevation of 640m and you can walk 4.5km in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The difficulty of the excursion is E as there are no particular difficulties and dangers along the climb. The descent can also be undertaken on the eastern side of the mountain, descending along the steep gully which at the end reaches a forest road that leads to the La Fitta locality in Val Visdende.

.the Military Route Just before going up to the ‘Pisandui’ waterfall accompanied by a sign indicating we have a military route dating back to the great war. The mini ring route can be easily tackled starting from the CAI-169 path at an altitude of 1600 MSL before proceeding up the slope to the ‘Pisandui’ waterfall. Or, on the opposite side along the road that leads to M.Zovo with CAI 154 signpost, turning right about 200m after the F.la Zovo refuge. The route includes a visit to what remains of a mortar pad and winds along military walkways.

.the Wonderful View At the crossroads of the CAI-169 path, go up a few meters and then horizontally proceed south until you reach a fence and a bench. We arrived at the viewpoint and from here you have a wonderful view over the Visdende valley.

.the Bombard Returning a few steps back, the path still climbs very steeply until it leads to the ruins of a building in a very sunny clearing. We are in the bombardment area where during the First World War the soldiers had installed bombing positions with mortars. The path continues reaching a tunnel that comes out on the other side of the mountain with a wonderful view from the top of the wood; From here you continue almost horizontally over rocks and gravels until you get back into the woods. The route is equipped with metal ropes for the less experienced. The path continues into the woods until it comes out in the vicinity of the F.la Zovo refuge along the road that leads to Mount Zovo.

.The Monument Near the lower Val Vissada, before reaching the bivouac, we can dwell on a concrete memorial stone, well kept and protected from raids by heifers, which recalls the history of the 92nd Infantry Regiment and the 18th Battalion of the Guard of Finance, overwhelmed by the avalanche in Val di Londo on 25 February 1916, and the Brigadier killed by an enemy grenade on 12 June 1916. In this place the 39th Battalion composed his remains during the summer July-August 1916.

.The tunnel Just past the F.la Longerin, before crossing the path to P.so Palombino, going down a path half hidden by the mountain pines, you can visit a cave carved into the rock dating back to the First World War. The possible shelter enters the Torrione for about fifteen meters and ends on the other side, where we find a small window overlooking the Val di Londo.

.water The track ensures a good supply of water, especially the first part of the climb in Val Vissada and up to F.la Longerin. The second part, on the other hand, does not present any source of water which must therefore be taken first.

.bike The climb to Val Vissada can also be undertaken by bicycle, although it is a stony and steep route, as the cycles can pass because the road is generally wide. Even the ascent to the summit can be with difficulty undertaken with a bicycle apart from the last stretch which in order to pass it we must separate from it and walk up.

.dog The whole excursion can be accompanied by a dog or more, as long as the animal is used to the altitude and knows how to behave on high mountain paths in the presence of rolling stones. Alternatively, you must proceed with a leash. In general there are no passages that can put four-legged animals in difficulty.

.shelter The presence of the new Val Vissada bivouac and the cave at Longerin as well as the caves on the top of the Schiaron guarantee a good shelter in case of bad weather, but also the possibility of being able to spend the night in the area in order to comfortably climb all the peaks of the Valley.