Ascent from Besenello to the Scanuppia Reserve

<p>The Scanuppia ascent, famous as one of the toughest in Europe, leads to a world suspended between centuries-old forests, historic farms and the imposing Malga Palazzo. A challenging hike that combines challenge and natural wonder.</p>

<p>Along SAT Trail E431 you cross wild valleys, alpine glades and panoramic ridges, until you reach 1,500 meters above sea level at the foot of the Vigolana and the entrance to the nature reserve. It is an experience that provides silence, untouched nature and breathtaking views of the Adige Valley.</p> <p>The hike starts in Besenello and immediately surprises with its ascent: the first kilometers are along a very steep cemented road (gradients over 20 percent), which has made Scanuppia famous as &#34;the steepest climb in Europe.&#34; This initial section runs alongside the Rio Secco and climbs between the first masi (farmsteads); past the cemented part, the route enters the Scanuppia Nature Reserve: here the landscape changes, with fir and beech forests interspersed with clearings and streams. You cross the Valòn dei Lorèi and a steep ridge until you reach the striking Malga Palazzo (1,450 m), a 16th-century building in a dominant position, now closed but surrounded by a spectacular panoramic meadow.</p> <p>From Malga Palazzo you can continue along SAT Trail E431, which ascends into the wooded Val Todesca, crosses areas of mugo forest and alpine meadows, until you reach Cresta del Campigolét (about 2,000 m). Here the view opens to 360° over the Adige Valley, the Brenta Group, the Lagorai and the Little Dolomites.</p> <p>Again from the Malga, the trail then connects to other high-altitude trails (E434, E434b, E446), offering the possibility of completing a long, complete hiking loop that returns to Malga Imprec and finally to Malga Palazzo, amid pristine environments and a great variety of flora and fauna: deer, roe deer, golden eagles, and the rare capercaillie.</p>