Val Monzoni (Val di Munciogn)

Excursion in the side valleys

<p>Drive up the Val San Nicolò as far as the fork for the Val Monzoni and leave the car here.</p> <p> </p> <p>There is a chapel dedicated to the Crucifixion (Crocifisso) and also a restaurant with the same name. 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 "Lauscel/Lagusel", path no. 641. Take this path and cross the "Ruf di Munciogn" stream. 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 (2,184 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 dei Russi - Road of the Russians" (40 mins; 2 hrs 40), turn left and keep going downhill. You will pass the car-park and then you will come to a bridge over the "Ruf de Sèn Nicolò" stream. 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).</p>