Sentiero Attrezzato degli Eroi

Overview

The Sentiero Attrezzato degli Eroi, which runs along the southern slope of Monte Peurna in Val Schievenin, combines historical significance with a distinctive technical character. The short via ferrata sections are of low difficulty, but the real challenge of the route lies in the long, continuous unsecured traverses, where the uneven and crumbly terrain demands a sure foot and constant concentration. Poor maintenance often makes the trail faint, forcing you to read the ground carefully and rely on solid navigation skills, in an environment that alternates between sparse woods and steep grassy slopes.

Approach

Access to Val Schievenin, in the province of Belluno, is from the Piave Valley. From Quero, turn east following signs for Schievenin. After passing through the village, follow the narrow paved road that penetrates the valley to a large parking area (515 m), beyond which traffic is prohibited. Caution is advised due to some rough sections and washouts, which are not recommended for very low-clearance vehicles. The exact location of the parking area is marked on major digital maps.

From the parking area, take the road closed to traffic, heading north, initially coinciding with the dirt track of trail 848 toward Forcella Bassa. After about 15 minutes of walking, at a wide curve, it is essential to spot a small sign indicating a faint path (not marked with a trail marker) that branches off sharply to the left into the woods. Trail 848 continues its ascent into the wild Valle dell'Inferno. This approach section, whose condition dates to 2017, is poorly maintained: the trail is faint in places, obstructed by fallen trees, and runs along mid-slope hillsides with loose soil and exposure on the left side. The pace is therefore uneven, alternating between stretches of brisk walking and more careful, deliberate steps. Reaching Forcella Bassa (1044 m) about one hour from the junction, keep left to join the wider Sentiero degli Eroi, following signs for the Alta Via 8. The route now turns decisively south, maintaining a constant traverse on the eastern slope of Monte Peurna. The terrain becomes predominantly grassy and earthy, treacherously slippery, and the trail proceeds for long stretches completely without protection, requiring balance and a steady step. After rounding the compact east face of the mountain, you finally reach the start of the first equipped section, on the southeastern slope, after about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the pass (for a total of about 2 hours and 30 minutes from the parking area).

Via Ferrata

The equipped route begins with a ridge passage, where the steel cable runs to the right of the hiker, offering a first panoramic view of the valley. You then tackle a short but exposed protected descent that leads to a wide, easy ledge, also equipped with a cable. The route then proceeds south along the trail before encountering the second and final via ferrata section. This is characterized by a very steep ascent on particularly slippery ground (polished rock and dirt), made safe only by the presence of the cable, which requires active and continuous use. Beyond this point, all metal fixtures end, marking the conclusion of the actual equipped section of the Sentiero degli Eroi. This via ferrata segment, though technically simple, has a discontinuous character and takes about 30 minutes, for a total time from the start of the hike of about 3 hours.

Descent

From the end of the equipment, continue with a gentle descent until you intersect trail 843. Keep left and, after a short stretch, turn left again following the sign for trail 839, which descends directly and steeply toward Schievenin, initially through wooded terrain and then across meadows. The trail emerges onto the paved road used on the ascent, but at a lower elevation than the parking area. To complete the loop, you must walk back up the paved road for about a kilometer and a half to the starting point. The descent takes about 2 hours, for a total hike time of about 5 hours.

Useful Notes

This route partly retraces the sites of the battles of the Great War. The technical difficulties in the equipped sections are modest; the real attention must be focused on the numerous and prolonged passages on unprotected trail, with unstable, potentially slippery, and at times exposed terrain. The itinerary, little traveled and maintained, may present sections of faint trail, fallen trees, as well as areas with tall, overgrown vegetation. Long pants and trekking poles are therefore strongly recommended for greater stability, to protect against vegetation, and to reduce the load on the lower limbs during the long traverses.