Sentiero della Pace 26: From Caldonazzo to the Malga Masi Refuge

<p>With a stage of good length and significant altitude difference, we gain the northern side of the Valsugana, passing by the beautiful Lake Levico, the forts of Tenna and delle Benne, and finally the spa town of Vetriolo.  </p>

<p>From the center of Caldonazzo, we head along secondary roads towards the Piana di Caldonazzo which, after crossing the railway tracks, we traverse via a straight road that is not particularly busy but lacks sidewalks, so great attention must be paid. Near a fast-flowing road, we cross it by taking an underpass and find ourselves in the small village of Brenta. From there, we take the carriage road that steadily climbs and pass the hermitage of San Valentino, then continue on flat terrain until reaching the Fort of Tenna and, immediately after, the homonymous settlement. </p> <p>We pass the settlement making a &#34;U&#34; turn, then take the forest road that gently descends towards Lake Levico. We walk pleasantly in the shade while to our right the green banks and clear waters of the lake are revealed. Upon reaching the northwest corner of the basin, although the signs indicate to continue north, we can descend to the lake and follow a small path along its northern shore; shortly after crossing the creek that flows into it, we find a carriage road which we follow to the left. We return to asphalt and continue towards the Fort delle Benne, uphill, cutting across the state road; then the road becomes dirt again and after a few hundred meters we reach a clearing in front of a house where we find signs for Vetriolo as well as for the Fort delle Benne, which merits a quick and well-deserved detour.  </p> <p>Back at the junction, we begin the trail and with it the real ascent of the stage. The slope is constant but always in the shade of trees. At times, below us, we see the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico. We gain altitude alternating the path with some stretches of forest road until at kilometer 12.5 of the track we take the wide dirt road to the right, continuing along the contour; after a few hundred meters, we reach the state road at a hairpin bend, follow it uphill to the next hairpin where we find a small votive chapel, and there we resume the forest road, continuing the climb. Finally, taking care not to miss its entrance, we take a wide mule track that, with a few quick hairpins, leads us to the settlement of Vetriolo. Although it is possible to stop here (or at the nearby hamlet of Compet), it is worth continuing towards Old Vetriolo along an asphalt road, and from there take the dirt road towards Monte Panarotta, along which we also encounter the wooden sculpture of the Lagorai She-wolf, made from wood fallen during the Vaia storm.  </p> <p>About 3 kilometers of walking from Old Vetriolo, with a slow and steady climb, we reach the Malga Masi farmhouse, which boasts good prices and friendly management. </p>