Segonzano castle and the Prà canyon

<p>A descent to the medieval castle of Seqonzano and the banks of the Avisio amidst multi-coloured stones</p>

<p>The route begins in the village of Scancio, near Hotel Piramidi, before descending to the attractive hamlet of Saletto and then continuing on a country road as far as the ruins of Segonzano castle perched on rocky heights watching over the historic bridge at Cantilaga. Cited in documents dating to 1216 the castle was seriously damaged by Napoleonic troops in 1796 during the Battle of Segonzano.</p> <p>Moving southwards on a country road the route arrives at nearby Cappella di Sant’Antonio on whose southern facade French army bullet holes are still visible. From the chapel the route continues downhill into the historic centre of the village of Piazzo, where the small church of the Immacolata, with its fine frescoes, is worth a visit. After crossing the village and reaching the cemetery the footpath continues northwards to the historic bridge at Cantilaga. Just a little higher up you pass the small village of Prà, once the site of the Folgheràiter mill (active until the 1950s) whose ruins are visible just outside the village.</p> <p>A straightforward cool footpath takes you to a spectacular rocky canyon in which the Avisio stream has carved out a tranquil loop, an exquisite greenish blue natural swimming. A rock climbing gym has been set up along a sheer rock wall over the water.</p> <p>Near the suspension bridge a footpath climbs up the scrub in an eastwards direction where it joins a forest track leading to the hamlet of Teaio, set on a promontory with splendid views over the valley. The itinerary then continues on country roads to its starting point in Segonzano.</p>