The Absent-Minded Shepherd

THE 10 RULES FOR HIKERS

1. Study and prepare your itinerary well
2. Choose a route suitable for your physical condition
3. Bring appropriate clothing and equipment
4. Check the weather forecast
5. Starting alone is risky, bring your mobile phone
6. Leave information about your itinerary and approximate return time
7. If you are not sure, do not hesitate to rely on a professional
8. Pay attention to the signs and markings you find along the route
9. If tired or in trouble, do not hesitate to turn back
10. In case of an accident call 112

As you can imagine, the accessibility of routes in a mountain environment is strictly linked to current conditions and depends on natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather. For this reason, the information contained in this sheet may have changed. Before leaving, check the status of the trail by contacting the refuge managers on your route, alpine guides, nature park visitor centers and tourist offices.

The cable car ride is a magical up and down journey to Gardonè, where 4 little dragons welcome us. Not far away, the signs indicate the direction to the Absent-Minded Shepherd Trail.

We take the dirt road that descends towards the chairlift to Passo Feudo and, continuing to the left (slightly downhill) and then to the right, we cross a small stream until Malga Gardonè. A few more steps and we’re there.

You can tell it’s a shepherd with his head in the clouds from a pair of boots, a hat hanging on a tree, a solitary backpack... But encouraging the little hikers, there are beehives, woods to make sounds, a Kneipp path (to be done barefoot on bark, moss and pebbles), and a mill to divert water to discover mountain animals. We won’t say more, to leave you the pleasure of discovery, but watch out for the short detours along the route! One in particular? The one leading to the discovery of the world of bees.

Closing the loop, towards the starting point, you can have a picnic among sculptures and games in the shade of the woods.

At the Info Point you can choose among 5 playbooks (cost €6.00 each, 2 x €10.00) inviting you to discover the secrets and mountain life, for different age groups (preschool and school age). It’s a wonderful walk, with or without a playbook. But guided by Martìn’s stories, among riddles and nursery rhymes, silent dialogues with grandfather and questions to find an answer to, you proceed cheerfully. In the end, everyone will have found the clearing and the object that made them smile, reflect and dream. What effect does it have to stop and observe nature under a great 170-year-old white fir?

Not suitable for strollers, we recommend the use of a child carrier backpack. Sometimes the walk is in the shade of the woods, but we are in the mountains and in good weather a hat and sunscreen are needed.

You can find water at the dragon-shaped fountain in Gardonè.