Above Verceia, the Valle dei Ratti hosts a plethora of opportuities to practice this splendid sport, within a silent Nature, muffled by significant snowfalls. Here’s our proposal. Expect a winter experience both original and full of emotion. The ascent using snowshoes to the Bivacco Primalpia is a seasonal classic.
Destination? The very head of the magnificent Valle dei Ratti, where around 25 years ago the Bivacco Primalpia was established, boasting 18 beds, and wood-based heating alongside everything visitors might require to cook and spend a simple but enjoyable stay. The views to take in from this fabulous position are truly spectacular. To the west stands the Sasso Manduino, followed closely by Cime di Gaiazzo, il Pizzo Ligoncio il Passo di Primalpia and the Cima di Dosenigo. The starting point of the excursion is the car park at the end of the consortium road that climbs from Verceia towards the Moledana dam (get a permit from a bar in the town). And from where you can also set off on along the Tracciolino, the splendid itinerary dug out of the rocks that will take you across the length of the valley side. However, today - having left the car - head up amongst the chestnut trees, and as soon as you reach the snow, let the snowshoes come into play and keep an eye out for the clear signposting towards the bivouac. A height difference of around 1000m awaits. And you might like to elongate the trip by 20 mins or so by going through fairy-tale Frasnedo. The CAI section at Novate Mezzola, maintains that the itinerary is suitable for everyone and will take about 3 hours. The route climbs gently upwards to the level of Primalpia. Only the final stretch, once through the forest, becomes a bit steeper. But, as ever, before setting out it’s recommended that you pay full regard to any avalanche bulletins, thus avoiding any particularly risky periods. CAI at Novate Mezzola organises excursions every now and then to Val dei Ratti, with the bivouac as journey’s end.
