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day4.md (5262B)

---

 <table style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"> <thead> <tr>
 	<th style="text-align: left"> <a href="../day3">← Day 3</a> </th>
 	<th style="text-align: center"> <a href="../">Alta Via 2</a> </th>
 	<th style="text-align: right"> <a href="../day5">Day 5 →</a> </th>
 </tr> </thead> </table>
 
 # Day 4 - The forest and the pastures
 
 <p align="center"><em>August 23, 2025</em></p>
 
 ## Route of the day
 
 <details>
 <summary><strong>Click to see map</strong></summary>
 <img src="../img/23-0000-map.png">
 </details>
 
 *Download the [gpx file](../gpx/av2-day4.gpx) or see the route on
 [outdooractive.com](https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-trail/province-of-belluno/-2025-alta-via-2-day-4/325541990/?share=%7E3zdmunnm%244ossqbcs)*
 
 ## To Malga Ciapèla and Forca Rossa
 
 Our fourth day starts at 8:20, with a steep descent on a ski path.
 My knee stil hurts, and this points I am afraid I may have to
 deal with it for the rest of the trip.
 
 At 9:30 we pass Malga Ciapela (1450 meters on sea level) and we start
 walking up again. Soon we find an enigmatic sign which is apparently
 trying to communicate that going left or right leads to the same places.
 
 ![The confusing sign](../img/23-1012-sign.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>The confusing sign.</em></p>
 
 We spend like 5 minutes figuring this out, and we choose to go left.
 
 The path is not steep and walking in the forest is enojyable.  Since we
 are at a lower altitude than we have been for most of the other days,
 it is also much warmer than what we got used to.
 
 ![A view from the trail in the forest](../img/23-1115-view.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>
 A view from the forest, on the way up from Malga Ciapèla to Forca Rossa.
 </em></p>
 
 The forest soon leaves space to grassy slopes and naked rock.  The way
 up is still pleasant, and we have met almost no other hiker so far -
 in stark contrast with the previous day.
 
 ![Grassy slops up to Forca Rossa](../img/23-1220-forca-rossa.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>
 The lower clay-red peak on the center-left of the picture is Forca Rossa,
 where we are headed. "Rossa" in Italian means "red" - it's nice when things
 are what their name says they are, isn't it?
 </em></p>
 
 We arrive at *Forca Rossa* (2500m) at 13:05. Only in the last few minutes
 my knee gave me some problems, but it is not so bad that it makes me
 want to stop.
 
 Here at the top of this trail there are all the hikers that we did not
 meet on the way up; they probably came from the other side. There must
 be some kind of force field blocking tourists from entering the province
 of Belluno.
 
 ![View from Forca Rossa to the Belluno side](../img/23-1325-forca-rossa-bl.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>View from Forca Rossa to the Belluno side.</em></p>
 
 ![My dad and I chilling](../img/23-1333-chilling.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>My dad and I chilling - quite literally, because of the wind.</em></p>
 
 ![View from Forca Rossa to the Trentino side](../img/23-1338-forca-rossa-tn.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>View from Forca Rossa to the Trentino side.</em></p>
 
 ## Walking down green pastures
 
 There is a great view on both sides of this pass, but the wind is cold
 and strong and we are not keen on staying long. After eating a couple
 of protein bars and taking many pictures, we start walking down towards
 Fuciade at 13:40.
 
 ![The path to Fuciade](../img/23-1420-pastures.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>Walking down to Fuciade.</em></p>
 
 The way down is quite relaxing. We walk among green pastures, where
 cows and horses grazed freely. That is, until they are less romantically
 slaughtered to make [Bresaola](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bresaola).
 But until then they can enjoy the green grass.
 
 At 15:00 we reach Fuciade (1982m), a location where many families with
 kids were relaxing after a meal at [the hut](https://www.fuciade.it/en/).
 If one wants a more quiet place, a short walk up the trail that we were
 descending quickly leads away from the crowd.  This place gave a sense
 of tranquillity.
 
 ![Me relaxing in Fuciade](../img/23-1512-fuciade.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>Me relaxing in Fuciade while I enjoy a glass of
 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shandy#Radler">radler</a>
 - don't be fooled by the Coca-Cola can.</em></p>
 
 After a short short break, we move to
 [Rifugio Flora Alpina](https://floralpina.it) (1800m), that we reach
 quickly at around 16:00. The place is surrounded by the forest,
 and the only visible peaks are the
 [Mulaz](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulaz) and the
 [Focobón group](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gruppo_del_Focobon).
 
 ![The Mulaz and the Focobon group](../img/23-1818-focobon.jpg)
 
 <p align="center"><em>
 A spectacular view of the Mulaz and the Focobón group. As the light
 changed and the clouds moved, the colors changed as well. I spent quite
 some time just sitting outside the hut, admiring these mountains.
 </em></p>
 
 Now, for the first time since we started our journey, we have some time
 to relax before dinner. We enjoy a sauna and a hot tub.
 
 <table style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"> <thead> <tr>
 	<th style="text-align: left"> <a href="../day3">← Day 3</a> </th>
 	<th style="text-align: center"> <a href="../">Alta Via 2</a> </th>
 	<th style="text-align: right"> <a href="../day5">Day 5 →</a> </th>
 </tr> </thead> </table>