Malga Ces – Piani della Cavallazza – Orti Forestali

The route from Malga Ces to the Piani della Cavalazza (or Cavallazza) is a hike that does not have significant elevation changes and allows you to enjoy beautiful panoramas and pleasant resting spots. In winter—as in summer—it is lightly trafficked, so the timing should also be considered based on snow conditions which might slow down the passage.

<p>The itinerary starts from the parking lot on the left side to reach Malga Ces (1,660 m asl), easily reachable from San Martino di Castrozza also by private means. From here, a path heads west into the forest. After a few hundred meters, there is a sign indicating the Piani della Cavalazza (Trail No. 15, taken on the left). After crossing the Val Bonéta Forest Road, the path ascends towards the Piani della Cavalazza, which is the only real uphill section of the route, but it is a comfortable path with wide switchbacks and slopes accessible to all. Along the ascent, the route alternates between woods and clearings and, after passing some aqueduct buildings, heads towards the summit of the Piani della Cavalazza (1,972 m asl), with its small but spectacular flat terraces located near Cima Cavalazza. From here, there is a splendid view of the Pale di San Martino mountain range and sometimes of the village of San Martino di Castrozza. The path then descends slightly, leading to a semi-open swampy area characterized by sparse vegetation with larches and dwarf pines, a strict nature reserve of the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park. Upon reaching a fork leading to Malga Fosse di Sotto, it is recommended to continue for a few hundred meters along Trail No. 15, taking the path on the left towards Passo Rolle / Malga Fosse di Sopra. This section of Trail No. 15 crosses the most scenic, panoramic, and wild part of the Piani della Cavalazza, with Cimon della Pala in the foreground together with the Pale di San Martino group.</p> <p>Retrace your steps to the previous fork, where the route descends the path towards Villa Pisoni / Malga Fosse di Sotto, descending through beautiful forest above San Martino di Castrozza. This section features some fairly steep downhill stretches; therefore, maximum attention is necessary, and the path should be followed carefully. Once reaching the pastures of Malga Fosse di Sotto (1,639 m asl), now disused — near which (on the other side of the Cismón Stream) lies the almost abandoned World War I military cemetery — the route, instead of descending towards San Martino di Castrozza, continues with a short climb along the “B.G. Miotti” Trail (part of the Caoria – Paneveggio cycling and hiking route). This part of the route can be taken about a hundred meters below the ruins of the malga, on the right heading south. The “B.G. Miotti” Trail gently ascends through the forest to reach the Orti Forestali (1,700 m asl), ancient imperial forest nurseries (i.e., Austro-Hungarian Empire era).</p> <p>From the fork of dirt roads at the Orti Forestali, the excursion concludes by following the Orti Forestali Forest Road towards Malga Ces, which after a slight descent levels out just before reaching the locality of Ces. A few hundred meters before Malga Ces, near the so-called “Campìgol,” the trail takes back the flat path section walked at the start of the itinerary and leads directly back to Malga Ces.</p>