Interesting
excursion in the dense woods of Camaldoli. There is a small stone-built refuge
hut at Cotozzo, which is always open and has a fireplace.
This route is for good skiers only, due to a steep uphill stretch
between Camoldoli and Cotozzo.
From Camaldoli, a little before crossing the bridge leading to the
monastery, there is a narrow forest path on the right which climbs sharply
in the forest
(a wooden sign indicates the beginning of the green-and-white marked no. 12
footpath). Put on your skis and take this path, which is a hard uphill
climb. When you come
to a cross, ignore the downhill path going straight on. Bend sharp left and
climb steeply using a track used by tractors for tree-felling. The track
offers no
respite and for long stretches you will have to zigzag. The gradient only eases
off near Cotozzo, which you come to after a left bend and a short, straight
stretch. Make sure you don't go wrong when you are in front of the refuge: ignore
the two paths on the right, one going uphill and the other downhill. Instead
take the uphill track off to the left, which initially runs alongside the refuge.
This soon opens out into a good forest track that climbs gently amidst tall white
firs. When you come to Fonte Ceccona there is a final brief stretch that brings
you to the Badia Prataglia–Camaldoli road, occasionally used in winter
for cross-country skiiing. Go left along this, descending until you arrive at
the hermitage. Here, at the point where the road is blocked by piled-up snow,
bend round to the right, go over a rise and along the clearly visible path that
skirts round the walls of the hermitage, which offers an interesting circuit
round the building. Alternatively, crossing the piled-up snow, you can immediately
take the paved road to the left (closed in winter), which, with a series of wide
bends (look out for some steep stretches), takes you back down to the monastery
of Camaldoli, passing the Fonte di S. Romulado on the way.
Distance |
9 km (round trip) |
Difference in height |
350 m |
Time |
3 hours |
Level of difficulty |
For good skiers |
Map |
Multigraphic 1:25.000 n. 33-35 |
Suggested period |
December/March |
Rest point/accommodation |
Hermitage guest house, tel. 0575/556013 |
Getting there |
From Arezzo take the SS no. 71 for the
Passo dei Mandrioli; just before Serravalle, there is a sign for
Camaldoli. It
can also be reached from Bagno di Romagna, via the Passo dei
Mandrioli, on SS no. 71. |
|