Discover what to do in Perarolo di Cadore in the province of Belluno: the Val Montina loop trail, the Tibetan bridge, and the Valmontina mountain hut. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Perarolo di Cadore?
The municipality of Perarolo di Cadore borders to the northeast with Pieve di Cadore, to the northwest with Valle di Cadore, to the south with Erto e Casso, to the southeast with Cimolais, to the southwest with Ospitale di Cadore, to the east with Pieve di Cadore and Cimolais, and to the west with Valle di Cadore and Ospitale di Cadore.
Val Montina Loop
We are in the hamlet of Ansogne. The starting point of the hike is the parking area located just south of the Beyfin gas station, along state road 51, near the rock climbing gym at the foot of Cima Montagna (46.37649784479519, 12.3602826104796). If you are wondering what to do in Perarolo di Cadore, this hike is recommended for those who want to discover some of the most photogenic landscapes in the area, from the steep gorge patiently carved by a crystal-clear stream to extraordinary views of the river valley that you can admire from the privileged position of the ledge that runs along the mountainside.
The Tibetan Bridge of Valmontina
The trail runs alongside the industrial area of Ansogne, entering the dense coniferous vegetation until it reaches the suspension bridge that connects the banks of the Valmontina stream. One of the most fascinating spots on the itinerary, the walkway offers a suggestive view of the dizzying gorge, overlooked to the south by Sasso di Mezzodì, towering at 1,882 m above sea level, and to the east by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Spalti di Toro-Monfalconi.
The Valmontina Mountain Hut
Turning east, the view stretches over the course of the Piave River and the Valmontina, a freezing Dolomite stream that furrows the homonymous valley, dominated to the east by the ridge of Monte Duranno and to the west by the colossal mass of Cima dei Preti (2,703 m).
The next stop on the itinerary is the Val Montina mountain hut, a welcoming alpine refuge harmoniously set in a bright grassy expanse surrounded by fir forests. We continue along the nature trail that goes into the regional forest of Val Montina, protected by Veneto Agricoltura. The ledge that runs along the gorge has, in some points, wooden railings and safety ropes.
The Wooden Bridges and the Gorge
At the intersection, we proceed downhill along the dirt path following the signs for the hiking trail (the sign indicates that on July 18, 2020, the bridge was broken, but it has been repaired), always paying maximum attention, until we reach a wooden bridge from which you can admire gushing waterfalls plunging into the clear stream flowing at the base of the gorge.
We follow the uphill path, with the support of a fixed rope, towards the second bridge. From here, the view dominates the steep rock walls of the gorge, from whose dark depths comes the roaring echo of waterfalls and rushing streams.
To tackle the slope of the path and the slightly slippery ground, you can use a metal cable. After crossing the two bridges, the itinerary continues uphill through the woods, then continues along the ledge that juts out from the west side of the mountain with the aid of a handrail.
The final stretch of the trail offers a formidable panoramic view of the river valley where the Val Montin hydroelectric power plant is located.
If you are wondering what to do in Perarolo di Cadore, the Valmontina loop trail winds for about 4.7 km and represents one of the most exciting nature itineraries to explore the heart of the Dolomites. With an elevation gain of 350 meters, the path guides the visitor into an enchanted and primordial atmosphere whose silence is broken only by the roar of spectacular waterfalls.
