Col di Rocca-Albe-Vallier-Palue
Starting point 1200 m, highest altitude reached 1456 m, arrival 1222m. Extremely easy itinerary, at the foot of Monte Mignon, among old houses and haylofts typical of a rural period which now belongs to the past. Time to complete walk: 1.30 - 2 hours.
Coming from Rocca and heading towards Malga Ciapela, just a few metres before arriving at Rocca, on the right, near a crucifix, you will be able to spot a lain that from the main road leads into the woods and rises slowly to the bottom of the jutting black sides of "Sass Negher". The road, quite wide and cobbled, was the main means of communication between the bottom of the valley and the two villages, now abandoned, of Albe and of Vallier. Along the road there are several benches providing a comfortable rest. Having passed a second road-side shrine of "Christ" the path steepens and after two small hairpin bends comes out of the woods and climbs to the top of the steep slope from where it is possible to admire an exceptionally beautiful panoramic view over the higher part of the "Val Pettorina" and over the mountains and glades that surround it. From this point, after having gone round the steep mountain slope, a path will take you in a short time close to the village of Albe, which must be crossed with caution since the crumbled ruins of the buildings have partly covered the path and the long grass blocks the view of this uneven stepping ground. Shortly after the last houses, on the right- hand side of the path, there is a drinking trough: you should not miss the chance to rest and have a thirstquencing sip of this clear mountain water. Please note that the trough has been cut in a single block of rock. Keep on walking and you will pass next to the "Ru dei Termen", here, below the path, not too far away you will be able to recognise the old ruins of a water mill. A few minutes walk will get you to the village of "Vallier" which, like the previous one, shows evident signs of decay and abandon, even though some houses have been restructured. Here you may once again wish to have a drink from one of the two drinking troughs still in use, before going down the last slope that in about ten minutes will lead you across the village of "Palue" back to the main road, just a few kilometres away from where you had started the walk.
Coming from Rocca and heading towards Malga Ciapela, just a few metres before arriving at Rocca, on the right, near a crucifix, you will be able to spot a lain that from the main road leads into the woods and rises slowly to the bottom of the jutting black sides of "Sass Negher". The road, quite wide and cobbled, was the main means of communication between the bottom of the valley and the two villages, now abandoned, of Albe and of Vallier. Along the road there are several benches providing a comfortable rest. Having passed a second road-side shrine of "Christ" the path steepens and after two small hairpin bends comes out of the woods and climbs to the top of the steep slope from where it is possible to admire an exceptionally beautiful panoramic view over the higher part of the "Val Pettorina" and over the mountains and glades that surround it. From this point, after having gone round the steep mountain slope, a path will take you in a short time close to the village of Albe, which must be crossed with caution since the crumbled ruins of the buildings have partly covered the path and the long grass blocks the view of this uneven stepping ground. Shortly after the last houses, on the right- hand side of the path, there is a drinking trough: you should not miss the chance to rest and have a thirstquencing sip of this clear mountain water. Please note that the trough has been cut in a single block of rock. Keep on walking and you will pass next to the "Ru dei Termen", here, below the path, not too far away you will be able to recognise the old ruins of a water mill. A few minutes walk will get you to the village of "Vallier" which, like the previous one, shows evident signs of decay and abandon, even though some houses have been restructured. Here you may once again wish to have a drink from one of the two drinking troughs still in use, before going down the last slope that in about ten minutes will lead you across the village of "Palue" back to the main road, just a few kilometres away from where you had started the walk.
