VAL MONZONI - PIEF - LAGUSEL - VAL SAN NICOLÒ

High-level hikes

Reach the Val Monzoni that begins nearby the chapel dedicated to the Crocifisso (Crucifixion) and also a restaurant with the same name (a shuttle bus service is available from Pozza). Set off up the asphalt road to the right. There is a large picnic area beside the road. Go on past the gate and after this the gradient increases. To the left you will see a sign for Lagusel, path no. 641.Take this path and cross the stream Ruf di Munciogn. You will now go into a wood which you leave again to climb up through the pastures. There is another fairly steep climb and then you come to the grassy slopes just below the L Pief, which you will reach after a final effort (2,182 m; 1 hour 45).Here you leave path no. 641 which proceeds to the Sela de la Palacia (Palacia pass) and the Pecol mountain. Go down (path no. 640) instead over the hummocky ground to the lake called Lagusel, which is of glacial origin (15 mins; 2 hrs).To get back to the Val San Nicolò follow path no. 640 to the far end of the pastures and begin the descent through the forest.When you get to the dirt road known as “Strada di Russi” (Path of the Russians) (40 mins; 2 hrs 40), turn left and keep going downhill. You will soon come to a bridge over the ruf de Sèn Nicolò. After the bridge you will meet up with the asphalt road which takes you back down to the Crocifisso Chapel (1 hour; 3 hrs 40).