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Rasciesa Ridge |
September 15, 2014
It's moving day again, from Corvara to the little town of Castelrotto. From the bus stop there actually is an optional elevator to get us up to the town square; but we take the stairs anyway. Checking into our new B&B, it appears that Dave and I will be sharing a bed, which of course was not in the original plan. Oh well, it is a pretty big bed, and in any case we have more important things to be concerned about.
Our somewhat lengthy trip has left inadequate time for a major hike, but we must do what we can. Grabbing the first available bus, we head back the way we came to the bigger town of Ortisei, and start hunting for the tram that will take us up the mountain.
The bus ride climbs above the fog bank
Nice flowers
In mid-town we discover a series of five escalators for accessing the giant ski facilities. Big commercial signs litter the walls of the tunnel.
A rubber mat between the escalators accommodates wet ski boots and bicycles.
These are the only directions to the tram
Today's ride is on a funicular — an inclined railway that travels at an angle up the mountain. The cars are accordingly constructed at the same angle
On board the tram
It's a 2,700-foot ride
At the top, behind the inevitable restaurant, is a trail leading up onto a plateau.
Near the high point is the inevitable chapel
The valley below
Lungwort Comastoma
Beyond the chapel and up the hill is the most elaborate outdoor monument that Dave and I have seen:
It looks much like Mount Calvary itself, which I presume was the idea.
This site, constructed in 2012, clearly attracts a lower class of visitor than what we normally encounter on the trail, because the area is covered with the most litter of anyplace I have seen in Italy. So while others are disrespecting their god, I pay homage to mine by picking up cigarette butts. Go figure.
Son of God (the one on the top)
Traversing the ridge toward the Puez-Odle group
Standing guard, I suppose
That guy was not attached after being carved; amazingly enough, it was hewn from the original log.
The inevitable farmhouse
Now there is an option to walk down 3,000 feet over another five miles, but we elect to try another mechanical ride instead.
This is why I don't like German
Back down on the inclined railway
§ This little walk kept our string of consecutive daily walks going, and there was something of interest at the top and a few nice views to be had.
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While awaiting the bus back to Castelrotto, there is time to check out a bit of the tourist trap, Ortisei. Such places do not tend to hold a lot of interest for me, but walking around is better than sitting around.
The main drag
Segway rally
Store front
At the main square, Piazza San Antonio, is an object as delightful as it is unlikely:
Ode to a Jellyfish? Or maybe it's a
hot-air balloon
