Loop of Forzelón (Val de Piero → Val Ru da Molín) and Colon del Forzelón

Premise

This route was hiked on March 16, 2023, and all subsequent observations and considerations fully apply only to that day.

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Ascent to Forzelon and Colon del Forzelon via Val de Piero

Take the CAI 502 next to the Ristorante Bar alla Stanga and easily reach, under a phone antenna, the junction with the trail that diverts toward Val Ru da Molin.

Then continue a little more to another junction where a cable helps to overcome a small rocky step to the left (to the right the wide trail descends toward the valley floor).

From here starts a long section in the woods with exposed segments and various "handrail cables", followed by an ascent along a wide woods flank and a diagonal leading up to the channel descending from Forzelon.

The altitude is just above 800 meters and the CAI 502 (up to this point) makes a deeper indentation into the mountain flank compared to all previously crossed channels and small gullies.

Cross the channel's valley floor and after a few meters a grassy trace splits off to the left.

As a clear reference, it can be said that today – as in all my other passages in Val de Piero – at the exact junction point there was an arrow (placed for the utility of those descending from Forcella Oderz) indicating "502 LA STANGA" towards today's arrival trail.

Ascend the new path without reaching the rocky band, up to where the cut branches guide an easy crossing of the channel's valley floor from right to left.

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• Variant 1 indicated in the guide "Sani - Dal Mas - Bristot" – At the crossing of the channel's valley floor from right to left, the first isolated red marks can be seen, and after the first few meters of ascent continue diagonally to the left up to a rocky band where a good trail passes beneath some ledges. Continue, following various cut branches, up to a very steep stretch, certainly of "vegetation grade I", with many closely cut small branches where hands must be used well and especially not lose the line of cut branches in the tight mandatory micro-turns on exit: REALLY very steep. Then enter a grassy clearing where cairns and red marks resume, and find a path to the left where cut branches guide to a well-incised small channel with a mixed rock-earth bottom. Ignore the trace that crosses the channel and "almost vanishes" shortly afterward, and ascend easily on the right side of the channel, but without a precise trail and without markings for the first few meters. Shortly you join a good well-marked trail coming from the right, which is that of the other variant. The trace that "almost vanishes" shortly after the channel would lead to the South Viaz of Colón de Costa Bramosa: see route → Colón de Costa Bramosa with South Viaz, Colon del Forzelón and Fratta del Moro.
• Variant 2 which could be that of the "Piero Rossi" guide – At the crossing of the channel's valley floor from right to left, the first isolated red marks are noticeable, and after the first meters of ascent continue diagonally left for about 200 linear meters of walking in total: not 200 meters as the crow flies, but about 200 meters of walking. Then climb directly (without a precise ground trail) on the right slope just before a slightly marked "mixed grass-earth ditch" and reach the overlying rocky band – this ascent is steep but MUCH less than the above-mentioned "vegetation grade I". Under the rocky band go left on a good path that appears immediately with numerous cairns and shortly crosses a channel adjacent to some ledges. Following this path you reach where the other variant arrives, though it is not noticeable since the other variant arrives via a short yet easy link without a trail.

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From the meeting point of the two variants, continue with some "zigzags" uphill near the small channel on the left, and then turn right with a diagonal at a good incline always well marked by cairns.

Gradually the trail enters a recess of a channel, which is crossed after a short and steep stretch where you support your hands.

Now the ground trace continues well marked (cairns and cut branches) with a gentle ascent tendency interrupted by some small ups and downs, and a few narrow steps where it is good to watch your footing.

You thus arrive below the last broad stretch for the Forzelon, which is climbed easily.

At Forzelon, next to the pass sign, lie the remains of a mountain hut, and one always wonders how work could be done in such a place.

To climb Colon del Forzelon just follow the crest of the wide ridge: I saw a few spaced red marks, but it is all intuitive and unnecessary to focus on searching for the signs.

The summit point is among trees that do not allow a "unique open panorama".

However, it is possible to glance at all the higher peaks around, except the nearby Monte Coro, which can be seen well from a single point about fifty linear meters just before the summit.

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Return from Colon del Forzelon via Val Ru da Molin

Return easily to Forzelon, and on descent I followed a different line than the ascent to try to get an overview from above towards Val Ru da Molin, but with poor results and not worth it.

From Forzelon there is immediately a wide and comfortable path heading to Val Ru da Molin.

Cross a couple of channels (the first one had some ice problems today) and arrive at the junction with the trail ascending to Fratta del Moro.

Of course take the descending branch, and today after about 5 minutes I found a stretch with several fallen trees on the trail.

The various trunks were not cut "continuously", but there are some partial cuts that allow passing by bending or stepping over "without acrobatics".

Arrive thus at the bottom of Val Ru da Molin in the area named La Crosera after a series of very close cairns and an arrow placed for those exiting the valley going the opposite way.

The descent start for the valley is on the valley floor, immediately encountering a huge rock with shelter underneath, and then some overhangs on the right at the branching point of the trail ascending Borál de l’Ors (for this last path see route → Boràl de l'Órs - Monte Coro - Zéngia del Re - Cengia Van del Castèl).

Continue in a fun way among boulders, then exit via a path on the left side of the stream.

Return to the valley floor briefly and then exit on the right side of the stream (several variants marked with cairns and cut branches).

Now stay on the right side of the stream for a long time with several close passages near the valley floor.

Easily bypass a landslide section of the path and pass the marked junction (paint on rock on the ground) with the trace that would climb to La Spirlonga (those interested in La Spirlonga can refer to the route → La Espírlónga via Val Ru da Molín-Fratta del Santo-Forcella de la Espírlónga).

Cross again for the last time toward the left side of the stream at a spot with lots of water, several small waterfalls and pools (there is also a equipped rest area for canyoning activities).

Soon starts the bypass of the ridge exit from the valley and enter the well-known "ledge style" section: good walking ground, but definitely do not get distracted due to vertical exposure above Val Cordevole.

Finally a wide and comfortable path for the return to the parking lot.