Spiz de San Piero and Bivacco Baita Darè Copada ascending the Val del Mulàt

Premise

This route was completed on June 28, 2021, and all subsequent observations and considerations may fully apply only to that day.

The field reference guide for the Val del Mulàt – with photocopies in pocket – is "Dolomiti di Zoldo 61 routes between Pelmo and Civetta" by Paolo Bonetti and Paolo Lazzarin.

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Approach to the base of the Val del Mulàt

From the parking lot, simply head towards Casera de Fagarè initially on the Anello Zoldano route which in this section overlaps with the Triòl del Camillo Nature Trail.

Then, 10 minutes from the casera, there is a sign pointing in the right direction.

Today, fifteen minutes from the start, there was a large landslide that erased a section of the path: a not complicated detour over boulders and fallen logs is necessary, initially losing some meters of elevation.

At Casèra de Fagarè continue on the path passing to the left heading towards the destination, and after just over 100 linear meters of walking you reach a small valley crossing with a Val del Mulàt sign: here you need to leave the marked CAI path.

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Ascent of the Val del Mulàt

From the Val del Mulàt sign you must freely cut through the woods heading north towards the gap in the rocky band which is visible even with the forest at full green growth as today.

Here I initially veered slightly right to follow some animal tracks, then proceeded more directly until entering the stone gully at the base of the narrow section in the rocky band.

Entering the “canyon” you easily climb a short section over boulders and reach below the first waterfall to cross.

On the right towards the destination there is a small rock step that leads to a VERY steep grassy slope partly stepped, where from below you can also notice some possible “viaz” lines guiding towards the small wood above.

The first move to make is almost vertical but there is a hold where you can fit your whole right hand and there are no problems.

The upper part is more delicate and exposed, and progressing you realize it is steeper than it seems from below.

Initially I moved left onto an intermediate rocky terrace beside the waterfall, then with a final diagonal to the right onto a “start of a track” I entered the small wood.

In the small wood starts a true little path that goes, with still steep sections, up to the height of the second waterfall: here you are still on the right heading up the gully.

The little path rises up to the top edge of the second waterfall but shifted to the right, and you must enter the gully with a DELICATE traverse to the left of a few meters: footings are present, though EXPOSED and not full shoe width.

Arriving above the second waterfall the difficulties end – now you climb a valley and not a complex channel as up to this point.

The first section of the final valley of the Val del Mulàt is quite steep, gradually leveling off to the flat final saddle that leads to CAI trails 489-485.

This final valley section should have a little over 150 meters of elevation gain, while the difficult stretch of the two waterfalls should be just under 100 meters of elevation gain.

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Of course, due to the narrowness, the GPS tracks in the whole Val del Mulàt are quite “imaginative,” but the route is mandatory and the “electronic lines” should not be followed.

I do not recommend descending the Val del Mulàt if you have not already ascended it.

The central part is not “shocking,” but hides some risks not to be underestimated – ascending helps memorize them and minimize dangers.

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Ending the hike from the upper exit of the Val del Mulàt

Before returning to the start via the CAI paths initially heading toward Casera del Castelìn, I made a round trip to the panoramic Spiz de San Piero.

I also made a detour to visit the Bivacco Baita Darè Copada which I did not know.

Almost everything very easy, and all on marked trails that do not require descriptions provided you have at least a map or... a GPS track with you... 😉