Long stage with continuous ups and downs. Little overall drop and without technical difficulties.
The path is enhanced by the spectacular views of the magical Val Rosandra and by the karstic landscape along the Italian-Slovenian border.
Signs are sometimes scarce and not very visible: t is easy to get lost. Better to keep an eye on the GPS.
Risk of ticks.
No water points from Bassovizza to Fernetti.
We walk slightly uphill the magnificent Val Rosandra. In Bottazzo (where there is accommodation available), right at the border with Slovenia, we begin the challenging ascent to Monte Stena, which is interrupted by a pleasant stretch that goes along the route of the old railway.
Once reached the plateau above, we walk along the ledge until we reach the hamlet of San Lorenzo. We continue easily through the Bazzoni woods and pass some meadows, where the track is not always clearly visible. We reach the beautiful village of Basovizza, which is worth a stop.
Once back on the track, we move along the Italian-Slovenian border surrounded by a typical karst landscape, and afterward, we reach the top of Monte dei Pini. From there, a long and easy descent (during which we cross the railway and skirt the Abisso di Trebiciano, a cave) leads us to Fernetti, which is characterized by the large abandoned industrial area and the gigantic airport parking.
We return to the narrow path and while going up and down the slopes of Monte Orsario, we reach the small village of Col. From there we take the Sentiero dei Poeti (Path of Poets), from where an optional detour leads you to the nearby Monte Tabor (on the top stands the beautiful church of the Beata Vergine Assunta). On the way down we finally arrive in Repen (in the municipality of Monrupino).
Karst indicates the erosive activity of water (especially rain) on soil rocks, which generates the widespread presence of caves, sinkholes, and craters: a paradise for speleologists. The phenomenon is characteristic of the border area between Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Slovenia (the Karst ), and the term has been adopted for all similar geophysical formations.
The Trieste Karst is a rocky plateau that connects the Julian Alps with the Dinaric Alps: during World War I, here took place fierce battles, as it can be noticed from the young woods.
Later, the natural caves (foibe) were used as mass graves by the Yugoslav army of general Tito. In Repen there is one of these Foibe, which was declared National Memorial Monument.
Not far from Repen (about half an hour walking distance), you find the splendid Grotta Gigante (Giant Cave), which is open to the public.
With its 114 m in height, 280 in length, and 76 in width, the main cave is the largest natural cave in the world!
Jota is a slightly acidic soup made of beans, sauerkraut, and a thousand other ingredients that vary from recipe to recipe (rind or other pork meat, caraway seeds ...).
Hotel Krizman, in Repen. Tel. +39 040 327 002
Starting point reachable by car.
Starting point is reachable by bus from the city of Trieste with a change in Muggia.
Here the LINK to check the timetables.
Departure point NOT reachable by train.
Va' Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution oft housands of people.
Even the most complicated dream, a 7,000km uphill dream,
can be achieved... together.
Grazie!
