Loop tour with final ascent on the top of Monte Cucal, actually a large meadow-woodland clearing, overlooking Val di Fiemme. You don't realize the breadth of the view until you reach the top!
Seen from the valley floor, Cucal is a lush and green hilly mountain overlooking the village Le Ville - Carano, Daiano, Varena, and Tesero. Approaching, past the meadows of Varena, you enter almost immediately in the silence of the woods, a rich and varied forest: you pass from the larch stems to those of spruce, up to the sunny slopes covered with pine trees, a conifer that loves arid soils. The top of the Cucal is a large and airy larch wood with its classic green grass that gives an unexpected glimpse of the valley.
The summit reaches around 1700 meters, which is why it is a feasible excursion both in spring and late autumn, when other areas of the valley may still be covered by snow.
Safety guidelines
THE 10 RULES FOR HIKERS
Prepare your itinerary beforehand
Choose an itinerary that suits your physical abilities
Choose suitable clothes and equipment
Check the weather forecast
Hiking by yourself is more risky; if this is the case, take a mobile phone with you
Leave information about your itinerary and your expected return time
If you are not sure about your itinerary, contact an Alpine Guide
Pay attention to signposts and directions that you find along your way
Do not hesitate in going back if you feel too tired
In case of emergency call 112
Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.
Starting point
Varena - area "La Copara"
Directions
Leave the car in Copara area (1.220 m) in the town of Varena. Take the forest road signposted "Stava" and follow it for 2.5 km. At first you walk among the pastures, then the path is all in the woods. At the end of the climb, follow the signs for "Cucal", first on a forest road and then on a path. At a crossroads, take the uphill path on the right to "Stava" which leads to another fork. Here take the path on the left No. 503 with directions "Prati di Monte Cucal" and "Monte Cucal" going up a zig zag. Arrived in the meadows, follow the signs on the left that lead in a short time to the top of the summit (1.705 m) from which you can admire some villages in the valley.
Retrace your steps to the first junction and from there take the path on the left No. 503A with indication "La Copara". The route descends into the woods bringing the starting point in a short time.
public transportation
Take the public bus "Trentino Trasporti" Cavalese to Varena.
How to get there
From Cavalese drive up direction Passo Lavazè.
After 4 km you will reach the village of Varena. Short after hotel "Alla Rocca" go right and drive ahead.
Short before pizzeria "La Marisana" go right and drive ahead the flat road for 500 m. You will find parking area after the last 2 houses.
Where to park
Parking places in the area "La Copara".
Hiking shoes, rain-jacket, hiking poles, water, sun cream
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