Vallestrona: anello tra Val Mastallone e Val Sabbiola.

Hike on September 19, 2022. We are in Vallestrona, in the Cusio area of ​​Piedmont, in the province of Vicenza. A circular route starting from Campello Monti, the last village in the valley. In the company of Fausto. We first reach the Pennino Grande alp on an easy mule track. This is a privileged vantage point overlooking Campello below. Continuing along trail Z15, we reach the La Balma alp, in a wide grassy basin at the foot of Mount Capio. Here you can visit a unique structure beneath a huge erratic boulder. We then continue on a traverse, partly exposed, to the Passo dei Rossi. A picturesque setting, with red earth, overlooking the neighboring Val Sabbiola. From the pass, we reach the first peak of the day: Mount Capio, at 2,172 meters. It is a forked peak, with a cross-book-plaque and a beautiful bell, placed in memory of Mr. Roberto. The view is priceless, and a breakfast break is a must. Hot tea and croissants... Fausto spoils us!!! :-D Let's continue. We now head to Val Mastallone, taking the crest route. We descend a steep gully equipped with chains (which have been torn off in some places and therefore need fixing). The route is fairly simple, though in some places you have to descend backwards, pulling on the rope. This should be done when the ground isn't wet or icy. An unstable scree slope follows, followed by the most peaceful part of the hike: through meadows and pastures, under the watchful gaze of Monte Rosa, we reach Alpe Sinanecca and then Alpe Pianello. A splendid mountain pasture, with a refuge managed by the Borgomanero CAI. The houses here are made of stone and all renovated. The alp is still full. The cowbells ring joyfully all around. We meet an elderly woman busy with her chores, a basket on her back, accompanied by her animals. At this spot, a plaque reads: "LORD GOD OF CREATION MAY THIS ALPINE PASTURE ALWAYS BE FREQUENTED BY THE MOUNTAIN FARMER NEVER BE ABANDONED FOREVER. THE FARMER DISAPPEARS THE BEAUTY DISAPPEARS." A thought-provoking phrase... We now climb to the Rimella (or Campello) pass, a pass through which the people of Campello (formerly the Walser colony of Rimella) have always passed, also to carry their deceased to the chapel known as the "Posa dei Morti" (Laying of the Dead), for burial in Rimella. We now continue along the ridge to the second summit of the day: Punta del Pizzo, at 2,232 meters. Lunch break with a stunning view. We continue along the steep mountainside and then back along the ridge to the Bocche delle Vacche pass. From here, we head back down to Vallestrona, passing the beautiful Capezzone lake and the Abele Traglio bivouac. We also find the famous "Eleonora spring." We return to Campello Monti, along a trail, past waterfalls and more mountain pastures still laden with snow. Route length: 15 km Elevation gain: 1,400 m Hiking time: 6.20 hours. If you enjoyed the video, leave a like and a comment. Subscribe to the channel to help it grow, thank you! Until the next adventure!