Baby Trekking with Pushchairs

Hiking trails to do with young children.
Hiking in the mountains with mum and dad is a proper walk and great fun if you know the right routes!

Here are a few useful suggestions for hiking with very young children, even with a stroller!

"Sentiero delle marmotte" trail

THE THEMATIC TRAIL WITH A VIEW OF THE PALE DI SAN MARTINO

Departure location: Tognola cable car base station
Parking: at Tognola facilities
Transport used: hiking stroller
Average time: 45 minutes
Difficulty: easy

From San Martino di Castrozza, head towards Fiera di Primiero for about 1 km. On the right, you will find the Tognola cable car station, which has two large parking lots. With the Tognola cable car, you can reach an altitude of 2,200 m in about 10 minutes. From there, a short distance from the Tognola Refuge, you can take the "Sentiero delle Marmotte" Trail. It is a fun thematic trail that allows you to complete a loop with a spectacular view of the Pale di San Martino and the Lagorai mountain range. Afterward, you can return to the starting point and treat yourself to a tasty break at the restaurant, as well as take some family photos on the panoramic terrace.

"Sentiero delle marmotte" Trail is particularly suitable for families and can also be travelled with a hiking stroller, thanks to its comfortable terrain and the presence of wooden walkways that make it easy to cross the marshy sections.

Malga Crel

MALGA CREL: A PERFECT VIEW OF THE PALE DI SAN MARTINO

Departure location: Loc. "Scacciapensieri", San Martino di Castrozza
Parking: Loc. Scacciapensieri
Transport used: hiking stroller
Average time: about 1 hour
Difficulty: easy

The comfortable forest road that starts from the "Scacciapensieri" area in San Martino di Castrozza, not far from the Colbricon Express facility's parking lot, winds its way through a refreshing fir forest.

The itinerary is also suitable for hiking strollers, thanks to the smooth road surface and the slight elevation gain, which mostly occurs in the last few hundred meters leading to Malga Crel. This typical mountain pasture allows you to try local products while admiring the view of the Pale di San Martino surrounded by meadows.

MALGA JURIBELLO

DISCOVER THE PANEVEGGIO PARK OF PALE DI SAN MARTINO

Starting place: Rolle Pass
Parking: along the no. 50 Rolle Pass road on the left
Transport used: hiking pushchair
Average time: forty minutes
Difficulty: easy

Starting from San Martino di Castrozza, the hike begins about 3 km after the Rolle Pass. After a bend, there is a large unpaved area on the left which signals you have arrived. You can leave your car here and cross the road to where a lovely wide, flat, dirt-track takes you on a leisurely stroll into the cool woods.The first part of the trail is totally flat, so you can push the stroller along without encountering any obstacles since the ground is perfectly level. Halfway along, the dirt-track starts to go uphill, but with a gentle gradient and winds alongside a lovely, green pine forest.With the trees behind you, you can start to see the mountain peaks which form a splendid backdrop to this amazing location. When you get to the Malga Juribello, you are rewarded with a superb view of the spectacular Pale di San Martino and the Lagorai mountains! To crown it all, there are emerald green fields for the children to play in! The malga (mountain hut) has a lot of animals, such as cows, goats and sheep left to graze freely while the pigs, calves and chickens are in pens, but accessible to children.Malga Juribello is managed by the Provincial Federation of Cattle Breeders and has some 150 dairy cows which provide milk every day to the Caseificio Comprensoriale di Primiero (dairy association) which then transforms it into typical products, such as the delicious Toséla cheese.

BAITA SEGANTINI

THE BEAUTY OF THE PALE MOUNTAINS WITH A PUSHCHAIR

Starting place: Rolle Pass
Parking: along the no. 50 Passo Rolle road near the junction with the forest road for Baita Segantini.
Transport used: hiking pushchair
Average time: about one hour and twenty minutes
Difficulty: medium/difficult

From the direction of San Martino di Castrozza, after leaving your car in the car park located just before the top of the Passo Rolle, the route starts along a pleasant, scenic dirt-track which is uphill at the very beginning. A short distance on, the view opens up and gives you a chance to admire the lovely green meadows. Continuing to the right, you will soon reach the Capanna Cervino (2,084 m). From here, the trail is more challenging, but still easy going for hiking pushchairs with big wheels. The gradient makes it hard work, but by no means impossible. Just take an extra pause or two to catch your breath which you will want to do anyway, so you admire the breath-taking views.It takes just over an hour to get to Baita Segantini (2,200 m), a chalet with an exclusive terrace providing spectacular views over the Pale di San Martino mountains and the famous Cimon peak, known also as the Matterhorn of the Dolomites. Green meadows and a pretty lake complete the idyllic scene. From here, you can take other trails, such as the one down to the equally beautiful Val Venegia or the Cristo Pensante Trail, a solitary, spiritual walk to the top of Mount Castelaz (2,333m-7654ft) which, however, cannot be done with a pushchair, but can be with a baby backpack carrier.In the summer months, there is a paid shuttle service available which links the main Passo Rolle road (from the starting point of the car park) with the Baita Segantini.

VAL VENEGIA

WITH A PUSHCHAIR IN PARADISE

Starting place: Malga Venegia (1,778m-5833ft)
Parking: “Pian dei Casoni” (pay and display: € 4 for the entire day)
Transport used: hiking pushchair
Average time: one hour and a half hours
Difficulty: easy

Arriving from San Martino di Castrozza, after going over the Rolle Pass, the turn-off to the Val Venegia is at km 2 of Provincial Road 81 of the Passo Valles (well sign-posted): paid parking at Pian dei Casoni (1693 m - 5554 ft).Once you have parked, you are afforded a fantastic view of the Val Veneggia in the heart of the Paneveggio National Park. The Pale di San Martino mountain range is magnificent with green pastures completing the idyllic scene. The Travignolo river which flows beside the trail adds a touch of magic to the already beautiful setting.The valley is perfect for an outing with children of any age and strollers can be easily pushed along the trail because there is only a very gentle slope and the surface is even. The Malga Venegia, at the mouth of the lovely valley, is there to greet hikers and just over half an hour away on foot is the Malga Venegiota (1824m-5984ft). These are two excellent spots for a typical lunch to enjoy whilst admiring the splendid view.

VAL CANALI

IL PERCORSO DELLE MUSE FEDAIE

Starting place: Val Canali Paneveggio National Park Pale di San Martino
Parking: Villa Welsperg (pay and display)
Transport used: pushchair
Average time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: easy

A naturalistic, themed hiking trail on foot (from the Villa to Welsperg Lake with no obstacles) - created around Villa Welsperg, in Val Canali.These places are noteworthy from an environmental and scenic point of view. They have a rich bio-diversity which is the common denominator linking the entire “cultural journey” proposed by the National Park. Particular care has been taken over giving visitors the opportunity to observe and internalise, as well as meditate and follow a naturopathic path.This is an itinerary which allows you to discover unexpected corners of the Pale di San Martino mountains, suitable for all the family. The symbolic element used to initially help communicate the basic concept of bio-diversity is Greek mythology, based on the grandiose and mysterious complexity of nature.Hence the title of the project, Muses of Fedaie, where the place name is derived from the word “féda”, meaning sheep. There are seven trail themes: “Norica” horse breeding, the landscape, the vegetation, the land, the “Lamon” breed of sheep, the therapeutic use of water and wet habitats.

SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA

ANELLO O PICCOLO

Starting place: San Martino di Castrozza
Parking: Prà delle Nasse (free)
Transport used: pushchair
Average time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: easy

Leisurely walk along a dirt-track, ideal for strollers, in a very beautiful natural setting where you can observe the woodland and marshland wildlife in the splendid location of the Pale di San Martino mountains. The trail winds through the lovely pine wood which is an excellent option, even when it is really sunny, as it is for a pleasant stroll at sunset.

ANELLO O GRANDE

Starting place: San Martino di Castrozza
Parking: Parking area for the Ces lift system (free)
Transport used: pushchair
Average time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: easy

An easy walk with pushchairs on a dirt-track which winds through a cool pine wood. The view that you are afforded along the path is truly amazing. Halfway along the route, the wood thins out and the view opens onto the Pale di San Martino mountain range. From this panoramic view point, you can learn the names of the peaks of the Dolomite mountains from the handy information signs.

PRIMIERO E DINTORNI

PISTA CICLABILE DI PRIMIERO

Starting point: Siror
Arrival point: Imèr
Brief description: the eleven-kilometre Primiero cycling path follows the course of the river Cismon and crosses the towns of Siror, Tonadico, Fiera di Primiero, Transacqua, Mezzano and Imer, on a route with a variety of road surfaces.
Length: 11 km in all (Siror- Imer), 1.2 km the Fiera di Primiero – Siror section and 3.8 km the Fiera – Imer section.
Type of road surface: tarmac

The path starts from Siror and finishes at Imèr, following the course of the river Cismon. Most of the route is, therefore, in the shade and cool, even in the height of summer. The sections from Fiera to Mezzano and from Fiera to Siror are illuminated at night. The main characteristic of the route is the exceptional beauty of the natural surroundings. The road is surrounded by woods and meadows while the Pale di San Martino mountain range tower into sight in the background, dominating the valley. There are plenty of benches and rest areas along the route. We recommend a stop in the village of Mezzano which is listed as one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy, giving you detailed insight into rural mountain life with the permanent Cataste&Canzei exhibition, included in the Mezzano Romantica project. Some of the best playgrounds in Primiero are located along the cycling path, including the one in the sports area of Siror and the Vallombrosa Park of Fiera di Primiero, the park in Via Doltra in Mezzano and the sports area of Imer (not far from the end of the cycling path).

PASSEGGIATA GRISONI-VIGNOLE

Starting point: Mezzano
Arrival point: Imèr
Brief description: easy walk between the two historic town centres, partly along a wide, well-trodden path
Length: 1 km
Average walking time: 50’
Type of road surface: tarmac and dirt-track
Maps: Primiero2 map (c/o Information office)

The walk starts from the centre of Mezzano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with the two lovely Brolo and Fontana squares which have just been restored and are the settings for a host of events, from the concerts of the Music Academy International of New York to the donkey race for the Palio dei Musati. There are twenty-six artistic wood piles along the route, made from fire wood and the “Tabià del Rico” (Enrico’s barn) with its comprehensive collection of antique artefacts. Once you have crossed the historic town centre along Via di Sopra and Via Grisoni, continue along the path through meadows and vegetable plots towards Imer. Once you are back on the tarmac road again near the cemetery, it is just a short distance to the church of Imer along the bank of the Rio S. Pietro. You cross the historic town centre on long, narrow, cobbled lanes, passing by old barns with arched windows and ancient stone fountains. If you feel like continuing for another twenty minutes, you can take the scenic Via di Sopra walk (dirt-track) from Via Marconi which crosses lovely meadows and orchards to reach the wayside cross of the Madonna del Bus along the Passo Gobbera road.

VIA NOVA

Starting point: Pieve (Fiera di Primiero)
Arrival point: Mezzano
Brief description: one of the classic Primiero walks on an easy path of dirt-track and cobbles which crosses the slopes of mount Bedolè through meadows and woods, just above the towns.
Length: 3 km
Average walking time: 1h30
Type of ground: dirt-track
Maps: Primiero1 and Primiero2 map (c/o Information office)

From the fine Gothic buildings of Pieve with the church of the head priest and the Palazzo delle Miniere, you cross the characteristic village along Via San Rocco before continuing along the unpaved road (signs for Via Nova). The scenic route crosses the slopes of mount Bedolè, with no steep climbs, through sections of woodland and lovely meadows with stone and wooden chalets. Once you have passed the village of La Dena, you continue down to Molaren and then, return to Pieve along the cycling path before proceeding along Via Nova as far as the crossroads with a fountain. From here, you go downhill to Mezzano on the narrow road to Bagnan (the second) before crossing the bridge over the Val de Stona ford and downhill along the Via delle Scure. At the entrance to the town, there are two imposing works of the Cataste&Canzei on display, the permanent exhibition of art work created from fire wood. “L’aluviòn” and “Montagna In-Canto”.

LA "CAMPAGNA"

Starting point: Tonadico
Arrival point: Siror
Brief description: All on narrow tarmacked roads with very little traffic, this easy, flat path which links the towns of Tonadico and Siror can also be walked in the evening because it is partially lit.
Length: 2 km
Average walking time: 1h
Type of road surface: tarmac
Maps: Primiero1 map (c/o Information office)

The route starts from the historic centre of Tonadico, an ancient village, described as an “art gallery town” because it has many sixteenth-century and seventeenth-century frescoes on the facades of the buildings created by travelling painters. In addition to these excellent examples of folk art, you should also visit the old Palazzo Scopoli which is now the site of the town hall. Go out of the town along Via Siror, with the little church of San Vittore and its wonderful series of medieval paintings on the hillside above you. There is a row of milking cow barns up on the hill while below, you can see the “Campagna”, once a series of uninterrupted cultivated fields which is now mostly set aside for making hay to feed the cattle in winter. You soon reach Siror which is known for its fountains, especially the octagonal stone fountains in Venetian style. Before arriving back at Tonadico along the low road (Via Lazer), you should take the time to view the sixteenth-century painting of the Virgin Mary, the large wooden bas-reliefs which tell the story of the “Legends of Primiero”, and the murals by Max Gaudenzi in the portico near the town hall. A little further on, you can also admire the large fresco by Riccardo Schweizer, “I sogni di Bancalonga” near the civic centre.

PRATI DEI NAVOI

Starting point: Fiera di Primiero
Arrival point: Transacqua
Brief description: scenic route along narrow tarmacked roads through the lovely fields of Navoi.
Length: 1 km
Average walking time: 1h
Type of road surface: tarmac
Maps: Primiero1 map (c/o Information office)

The route starts from the sports centre of Fiera di Primiero which has a small playground. Just a little way along the footpath (downhill), you come to a bridge which crosses the river. Ignore the cycling path which follows the course of the Cismon river, and instead follow the little-used, tarmacked road which climbs gently up through the fields. Once past a barn near which horses often graze, the road makes a wide bend and turns back towards the town. We recommend a stop at the Giardini Enrica; cool, shady gardens. The narrow road leads back to the town of Transacqua alongside fields and the occasional dwelling, passing near the bridge of an old mill that has been restored. Once past the historic centre, you go downhill to Piazza San Marco, with its abundant roses and sculptures by Simone Turra. A little further on, the new Green Park gives you the chance to have a rest with an interactive fountain and games for children.

VALLE DEL VANOI

CAORIA - L'ANELLO DELLA VAL

Starting and arrival point: Caoria Casa del Sentiero Etnografico (House of the Ethnographic Path)
Parking: near the “Casa del Sentiero Etnografico”
Transport used: standard pushchair
Total length: 3.3 km of which 1 km at Caoria de fora and 2.3 km at Caoria de dentre average trip time: approx. 1 hour
Elevation gain uphill: 110 m
Type of road surface: paved roads

Easy walk to do, even with a pushchair, through the streets of Caoria. The town is divided in two by the Valsorda river: Caoria di fuori and Caoria di dentro. The church of San Giovanni Nepomuceno is an example of modern art in an alpine setting. As you walk around the valley circuit route, you can admire the residential and architectural buildings in the town which is divided into two distinct parts - Caoria de fora and Caoria de dentre. There are different shaped houses, types of buildings based on their use, farm buildings, portrayals and expressions of folk art, such as frescoes and crucifixes, as well as features linked to traditional and communal activities, such as the fountains and wash houses, and the activities that are still carried out today in the vegetable plots and outdoors. From here, there are lots of opportunities for outings on rock formations of different types and origins. For mountain enthusiasts, the granite mountain of the Cima d’Asta and the porphyry Lagorai range are not far away.

LAGO DI CALAITA

Starting place: Rifugio Miralago - Lake Calaita
Parking: car park below the Malga Doch near the Rifugio Miralago (not very big - free)
Transport used: hiking pushchair
Trail length: Approx. 3.5 km•Average time: 1 hour
Difficulty: easy

The starting point is at the Rifugio Miralago (1621m-5318ft) and continues along the unpaved road (trail marked 350) which skirts the lake northwards. The beginning of the trail is a gentle, steady uphill climb which is not too difficult and goes through the sunny meadow of the Malga Doch. In the background, you can admire the wonderful view of the Pale di San Martino mountain range. The road is wide and well-trodden and continues uphill to the end of the meadow where the wood starts and hikers can go on to San Martino di Castrozza or towards the towns of Dismoni and Siror. The return route is along the same path, leaving the Pale mountains behind you and returning to Lake Calaita.This starting point for numerous excursions was formed by a morainic barrier. The banks are low, grassy and peaty; the ageing process is very advanced and the water is very shallow. There are no obvious inlets or outlets and the water supply is from the scree above.Lake Calaita is a great place for both adults and children to enjoy a picnic in the fields, as well as a pleasant lunch at the Rifugio Miralago (1617m-5305ft) or at the Malga Lozen (a few miles from the lake) where you can try some delicious local food.

CANAL SAN BOVO - ANELLO DELL'ACQUA

Starting place: Canal San Bovo Vanoi Ecomuseum
Parking: car park in the square nearby
Transport used: a baby backpack carrier is recommended although a pushchair can be used along the entire route, except for three sections of the trail (a few hundred yards) which are quite steep
at the beginning and central part of the route.
Trail length: 3.2 km
Average time: 1 hour
Difficulty: medium-easy

An easy walk, suitable for everyone, that winds around and through the town of Canal San Bovo for about 3 km. From the area in front of the Ecomuseum, proceed south-west as far as the Lozen river and then on to where it joins up with the Vanoi river. From here, you circle the course of the Vanoi before heading into the little wood in the north-east. Once you have passed the steps leading up to the artisan area of Canal San Bovo, continue towards the steep path which heads up into another wooded area. You then return to the houses and the starting point via the top of the town.There are fifteen information panels placed along the route which focus on the relationship between man and water in the past and in modern times. There are light blue rosette path markers along the route with an arrow indicating the direction to take.

AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE STROLLER

COLBRICON LAKES

Starting place: Malga Rolle
Parking: car park below the Agritur Malga Rolle (not very big - free)
Transport used: baby backpack carrier - NO pushchairs
Average time: forty minutes
Difficulty: easy

The starting point is at the Malga Rolle (1918m-6923ft), just past the Rolle Pass, arriving from San Martino di Castrozza. Parking is free, but there are not many spaces.The start of the path is about one hundred metres below the main road near the Chalet la Baita. The beginning of the trail is a gentle, steady uphill climb which is not too difficult, in the middle of a scented wood.The wide, well-trodden mule track (which, however, is not suitable for pushchairs because of all the tree roots and rocky sections) continues uphill until the trees begin to thin out. Here, the first of the two lakes appears on the right (the so-called “low” lake, 1909m-6263ft). Your destination of the lovely plateau with the other lake (1922m-6306ft) and the Rifugio Colbricon (1927m-6322ft) are not far away.The Colbricon lakes are a great place for young children: the perfect location for a picnic in the fields or a pleasant lunch at the Rifugio Colbricon (1927m-6263ft), where you can enjoy some delicious local food.

CANAL SAN BOVO PASSEGGIATA RORE

Starting place: Centre of Canal San Bovo
Parking: car park near the town hall
Transport used: baby backpack carrier - NO pushchairs
Trail length: 3.2 km
Average time: 1 hour
Elevation gain: 150 m
Difficulty: medium-easy

A well-trodden path (which, however, is not suitable for pushchairs because of all the tree roots and rocky sections) continues steadily uphill through the wood. From the parish church, you go up to the town cemetery where the path runs alongside the walls. You then continue through the fields to the wood. At the first crossroads, go towards Prade until you reach the town of the same name. Here, you go past some houses until you find yourself in front of the church in the centre of the town. From the other side of the road opposite the main entrance, there is a path which leads to the lower part of the town and back through the wood to Canal San Bovo. This last section is very steep, so you should be especially careful if the ground is wet.This walk is well worth doing because of the lovely views and the intense, fragrant wood-scent.

SENTIERO DELLE ERBE CHE CURANO E DELLE PIANTE CHE PROTEGGONO

Starting place: Zortea near the parish church
Parking: car park near the playground
Transport used: baby backpack carrier - NO pushchairs
Trail length: 4 km
Average time: 2 hours
Elevation gain: 200 m
Difficulty: medium-easy

Approx. four-kilometre walk (about 2.5 miles) with a 200-metre elevation gain on varied road surfaces: tarmac and mule track. Suitable for everyone.Starting point at the medicinal herb garden near the parish church. Continue in the direction of Calaita towards the town of Valline di Sotto. Take the mule track towards Valle del Lozen as far as Pose de la Val. From here, take a steep path to the farmsteads of S. Romina. Continue towards the Agritur (farmhouse holiday accommodation) of the same name and then back to Zortea.The easily accessible path winds through meadows and woods around the town of Zortea, taking you towards the spectacular Valle del Lozen. When you get to Pradi di Santa Romina, you cannot fail to spot the unusual chapel which stands out among the small group of houses. Along the way, at the sides of the path or in the surrounding fields, you will see a wide variety of wild herbs and edible plants which are part of the folk tradition. To “illustrate” the main characteristics and properties of the plants to visitors, information panels have been installed in the principal areas of botanical interest, providing facts about edible meadow plants, cultivated bio-diversity and herbal infusions.

Hire your EQUIPMENT

You can hire hiking pushchairs and baby backpack carriers in the following places.

At San Martino:

San Martino Sport San Martino di Castrozza, via Laghetto, 12 - tel. +39 0439-68095 taufermau@libero.it
Sport Tisot San Martino di Castrozza, via Passo Rolle 135 - tel. +39 0439-68165 fata@sanmartino.org
Skisport San Martino di Castrozza, tel. +39 0439-68341 info@noleggiskisport.it

At Fiera di Primiero:

Gubert Sport (Hiking and standard pushchairs, baby backpack carriers, bike trailers and “via ferrata” equipment) Fiera di Primiero, via Guadagnini 20 tel. +39 0439-762182 gubertsport@hotmail.it

Where to hire bike trailers:

Skisport San Martino di Castrozza, tel. +39 0439-68341 info@noleggiskisport.it

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