Val di Rivalta and Scendaore from Rivalta to Strada Moschina

Premise

This route was traveled on April 5, 2022, and all subsequent observations and considerations can fully apply only to that day.

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Ascent from Rivalta to Strada Moschina via Val di Rivalta and Scendaore

From Rivalta, follow the well-marked CAI 934, which climbs up to the bottom of Val di Rivalta, entering briefly on the right hydrographic side (or left direction ascent) and then crossing to the other side.

At the point where CAI 934 crosses to the other side of the valley, continue straight on the wide mule track.

After a few meters, there is a first well-signposted fork that, to the left, leads to the ENEL pylon 435: continue straight on the mule track.

Soon the mule track becomes a path, and after a few more meters, there is a second left turn, clearly marked by red signs, towards ENEL pylon 435.

At this point, on the other side of the hollow, there is a small path that rises diagonally initially going backward as direction: this is the correct one to follow – and it is the only way to bypass the impassable drop at the valley bottom that comes immediately after.

So, advance a few meters from the second fork to ENEL pylon 435, cross the hollow to the right, and enter the small path.

Following the faint trail, some cut branches as markers, and a few steep scrambles, you reach a clear dry stone wall, pass a small well-exposed ledge, and return to the hollow at the valley bottom.

Here there is a branching of valleys, with all maps showing Val di Rivalta as the right branch (and visually more marked) ascending direction: you must follow the left in general line, but without fully entering it.

There is a trail (again with cut branches as a guide) that climbs on the right ridge ascending this left branch of valleys, first aiming a few meters to the right of the ridge and then practically ascending along the ridge – here there are many secondary trails, probably animal paths, but the correct one (with cut branches) leads exactly along the ridge.

Now climb steeply about one hundred meters in elevation (really "about" because the GPS is struggling here) and cross the CAI Castelfranco del Grappa Occidentale Trail.

From the crossing point continue straight along the same ridge line, but here the cut branches end.

Without major problems, you arrive under some rocky steps of the ridge: here you must descend into the right valley in the ascent direction above some rocky slabs at the valley bottom (the left one at this altitude has impassable sections).

I went a little way down under the right rocky steps of the ridge until I found a decent trail that brought me into the right valley: however, this section is generally unclear and you can descend earlier as soon as you notice the valley bottom becomes passable for hiking.

Soon after entering the valley, there is a drop that can be passed along a left side trail in the ascending direction.

However, the correct valley to exit high is beyond the left ridge compared to the one you are on, and ascending you notice the left ridge side becomes increasingly "softer".

I continued in "easy off-trail" for a total of 130/140 meters elevation gain, then I crossed where I saw a hint of a small trail to the valley on the left: but you can cross at various points without problems.

Soon after entering the final valley, I encountered a series of terraces with evident dry stone walls, a base of dry stone walls of a building with scattered sheet metal from the roof, and I continued on easy slope but with some loose sections with "variable effort".

Thus, you reach below the high rocky band that supports Strada Moschina.

You must aim for a yellowish part of the rocky band that lies a bit to the left ascending direction of the central depression of the valley, and the last meters are not easy.

The last meters are steep and unstable, and here I wore crampons.

At the base of the rocky band there is a nice ledge, an iron pole where a cable of a cableway is attached, and – more to the right – a series of dry stone walls delimiting an old bivouac area under overhanging rocks (in the last stretch to get under the rocky band, among other things, I found various containers on the ground and even ... a colander).

Along the two valleys and the ridge just climbed, there are several points where forestry cableway cables cross and some base terminals.

Now from under the yellowish wall go left following the ledge path until joining the CAI 933 trail.

There is a single point of real attention, where the trail leads just below the rocky band in an INEXPLICABLY exposed passage: I cannot understand how such a line could be created given other alternatives available.

Perhaps it's a trail made by animals, but it's more evident than the one continuing near the rocky band after an easy step just over a meter: you must stay close to the rocky band a few meters before reaching the SUPER-EXPOSED passage, and you pass without particular anxiety.

The joining with CAI 933 takes place right at the hairpin at the start of the final equipped stretch with chains: from here shortly you reach the well-known Strada Moschina to bikers and a point of continuation to many other destinations on Monte Grappa.

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Descent returning to Rivalta from Strada Moschina via the Col Anzini area

From Strada Moschina descend via CAI 933 which, after the equipped stretch, must be followed carefully in the upper part even though it's always well marked.

Then it improves and you walk easily until the fork with a small path that goes left towards ENEL pylon 435 and reconnects with the CAI Castelfranco del Grappa Occidentale Trail.

The fork is noticeable at a right curve (just below 500 meters in altitude, but here too the GPS reception is poor) before the final straight to ENEL pylon 436, with several red ENEL signs marking it.

On an easy trail you reach the beautiful terraces of the Col Anzini area, and from there there are two possibilities.

Today I continued descending through the terraces following the hairpins of the CAI Castelfranco del Grappa Occidentale Trail until crossing the hollow of a valley-channel: without crossing the valley-channel, take a wide path descending to the right, and follow it until rejoining the ascent starting trail at the second fork for ENEL pylon 435.

The second alternative from the terraces of the Col Anzini area is to continue straight on the ridge beyond the highest terrace, soon encountering other red ENEL signs that will lead right to pylon 435 and then, with a trail more faint than the previous one, to the valley bottom and the initial ascent trail.

The two variants nearly touch at a fork in the final part of the descent.