East Ridge of Pizzocco part 2: from Le Forche to Forcella Intrigos

From the Casera Fioch (or Casera Fioc) parking lot to the saddle of Le Forche, follow the marked trails of the "Trói de Sospirói".

Start with a section of the green ring, then a red section, and finally a steep climb following the orange markers.

Up to the small saddle that leads to the final valley, it is all easy, including the first orange part.

From that point to Le Forche, the ground track becomes faint with some exposed steps on the steep grassy slope that can be very slippery.

From the saddle of Le Forche, the small path that continues uphill towards the Croce di Maras or Croce Visentini is immediately visible.

Care is needed for some narrow steps, but the footing is always clear and it is an enjoyable stretch without difficulty for those familiar with this type of routes.

After the Croce di Maras, continue for a few minutes at the same level of effort and enjoyment, and from an almost flat section reach the only point of the whole hike – in my opinion – "to really take with caution".

You must cross on the south side the very steep Pale dei Re, with Monte Fornel clearly visible in front and on the right the Cima delle Pale dei Re: this to reach the Forzelin de le Pale dei Re which is just after.

Here the guide "Agneléze Erèra Pizzocco" says you can stay on the ridge and pass over the summit or, alternatively, avoid it by traversing the steep slopes (where a faint trail among the hard and slippery grassy "loppe" can be seen).

I preferred to follow the ridge and pass over the summit because, when possible, I always prefer to avoid that type of "hanging traverses on the loppe".

I also had crampons in my backpack suitable for the possible traverse, but after the first few meters just below the ridge, I saw it was quite stepped and that it could be climbed without major problems (one must always be accustomed to these terrains): so I continued up to the Cima delle Pale dei Re.

From the summit, the descent to the small saddle does not present particular technical problems (always avoid slipping).

At this point, you can climb a short stretch of the Monte Fornel ridge and exit north below a rocky band and then re-enter it, or stay immediately on the north side on faint but recognizable paths.

I chose the second option and crossed a bit "jumping from one trail to another" until a well-visible cairn: the only relative problem was overcoming a couple of large trees felled by recent bad weather.

Shortly after the cairn, I saw a sort of small open valley among the low vegetation which, with good footing, headed toward the ridge.

Up the small valley and from the ridge a good trail leads to the summit cross of Monte Fornel: initially moderate slopes and then flat.

From Monte Fornel onward, you always walk with the comfort of trail markers, initially brown as you travel along a section of the brown ring of the well-known and well-marked "Trói de Sospirói".

From the summit, descend (staying on the south side) to a large grassy saddle (above the Borài de la Rosàlia) and then pass on the north side touching the ruins of Casón de Piero.

Here the trail takes on a "Dolomitic appearance" and with red markers leads to the summit of Sass de Gnei.

From Sass de Gnei everything is well marked until Forcella Intrigos.

Finally, a short descent on CAI 851 and then exit via trail towards the Ricovero Casera Campo.

Up to Casera Campo, the track is often narrow (not exposed) but always well marked on the ground; then it progressively improves until joining the trail that from the starting parking lot would lead directly to the summit of Monte Fornel.