Ercavallo Lakes, from Pra del Rum

Access

At the Ospitaletto exit of the [A4] motorway, follow the local signs for Valle Camonica following the SP19 and SP510. Near Pian Camuno go up the valley on the SS42 del Tonale e della Mendola road to Edolo, turn right towards Passo del Tonale, pass Incudine, Vezza d'Oglio, Temù and Pontedilegno. Shortly after the first hairpin bend following Pontedilegno, turn left onto the road to Passo di Gavia and climb up Valle di Pezzo. After two more hairpin bends, turn right towards Pezzo, enter the Viso valley and continue up to Case di Viso (1763 m). You can park before the village or go up the dirt road to the locality "Pra del Rum" (1877 m).

* Note #1 On summer days you may have to pay a parking ticket. It is advisable to obtain some coins.
* Note #2 Pontedilegno can also be reached from Valtellina - via the Aprica (SS39) and Gavia Pass (SS300) - or from Trentino - going up the Val di Sole and Val Vermiglio via the Tonale Pass (SS42)
* Note #3 The road from Pezzo to the Case di Viso is one-way during the middle of the day. It may therefore be necessary, when returning by car, to take the dirt road on the orographic side opposite the outward journey, reconnecting with the SS42 of Tonale and Mendola near the fourth bend

Introduction

The proposed excursion goes up the Viso valley, modelled in a U-shape by the action of the glaciers, to the numerous alpine lakes of Ercavallo and, with great views of the Presanella group and the Adamello, goes along the entire Ercavallo plain below the Corno dei Tre Signori to the homonymous pass. You return by a circular route passing the very popular Montozzo hut "Angiolino Bozzi". The hut, at the foot of the Punta di Montozzo, takes its name from one of the first Montozzo casualties during the "White War", conducted from 1915 onwards among peaks, rocks, snow and glaciers, on the border line that, starting from the Stelvio, across the Adamello, reached Lake Garda. At the refuge, formerly a finance barracks, trenches, military villages, watchtowers and firing positions were built, and recently renovated, to support the Tonale front. Near the area, Alpine soldiers from Brescia, Bergamo and Abruzzo lived and, unfortunately died, in the attempts to conquer Albiolo. In June 1915, Cesare Battisti also arrived at Montozzo. In a letter to his wife, he described the Alpine soldiers as 'brothers more than comrades'. The proposed route, which is quite popular, takes place entirely in the Stelvio National Park (Nationalpark Stilfser Joch).

Description

From the Pra del Rum rest area (1877m), leaving the dirt track on the right with trail marker 52 for Rifugio Bozzi, go straight on towards the head of the Oglio Arcanello valley along the track with trail marker 59 for Malga del Forgnuncolo. After a couple of twists and turns, leave the road to climb up a track to the right for the Ercavallo lakes and the Corno dei Tre Signori. Initially with confused tracks, we ascend the pastures of the Malga Palòn delle Casaiole and then, with a steeper slope, we reach the cross located on a panoramic knoll over the Adamello group. Amid grass and stones, we go around a few rocky crags, cross a few streams, and come out at the Ercavallo basin, just above a small hut. In about ten minutes, you reach the junction with trail marker 2, to the right, for the Bozzi hut (note the remains of First World War military constructions on the ridge of the hump to the left). Proceeding straight ahead on the wide mule-track in another ten minutes or so, you reach the outlet of the first, and largest, Lake Ercavallo (2621 m, 2h00'). If you wish, continuing north-westwards, in 7/8 minutes you can reach a second small lake, partially drained, at an altitude of 2643m (from which there is a magnificent panorama from the Presanella group to the Adamello). Other small lakes can be reached after a rocky hump and, leaving the path, bending to the right to look for the stream, tributary and emissary, of the small lakes upstream. As a descent route, it is recommended to walk in a wide circle towards the Bozzi hut. Once down at the crossroads, keep to the left and follow trail marker 2. The mule track flies over the Viso valley with a spectacular mule track below Punta di Ercavallo and Punta di Montozzo. With a path that is a little exposed in places, you cross a few landslides and come within sight of the remains of military constructions from the 'White War' and its museum (worth a visit). A last stretch among the ruins (some partially restored) and you are at the "Angiolino Bozzi" Montozzo hut (2478 m, 1h25'). Descend to the upper Montozzo pond below, skirting the emissary stream, to reach the lower Montozzo pond (which has almost disappeared). Now from the main dirt track, marker 52, convenient shortcuts open out, practically at every bend, and with beautiful views of the Viso valley below, up to Pra del Rum (1877 m, 2h25').

General Information

Path:from Pra del Rum
Signposts:59, 2, 52
Type of route:circular
Recommended period: July, August, September
Exposure to the sun:west
Objective Danger:none
Exposed Trails:none
Useful Equipment: normal hiking equipment