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| The hill village of Levie |
The first half of the day follows the Mare a Mare Sud trail through very pleasant forest and past the equally pleasant villages of Levie and Carbini. It's quite a haul up to the Col de Mela, from where a short diversion to the summit of the Punta di a Vaca Morte is rewarded with an extensive view. You will not be short of company here as the walk up from the road is short. Refreshment can be taken at Cartalavone before leaving the hordes for the quiet trail to the Col de Bacinu. Walk down the road for about 500 metres until just before the big bend in the road and by a fountain. Here's where it becomes more challenging.
A surprisingly good trail leads through the bushes. It's a bit like a tunnel to start with and then opens out a bit. Follow this without difficuly to the Col de Ferula where dense vegetation takes over. Head up beside a wall on rock slabs until a scree filled couloir can be ascended to the ridge.
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| The wall leading toward the Crete de Compolleli |
I struggled to find the best route here and ended up scratched to death. Follow the crest as best you can, avoiding any major obstacles. Some of the scrambling is quite tricky wih very spiky vegetation. Eventually you'll get to easier ground where a scrambling line can be followed to the highest point of the ridge, marked by a wooden cross. Breathe a sigh of relief before an easy descent to the Col de Morello. A decent trail then takes you to the day's end point at the beautiful meadows of Bitalza.
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| An easy section of the Crete de Compolleli |
If this is all a bit too much, simply follow the road down from the Col de Bacinu until you meet a dirt road zig-zagging its way up the hillside.This leads all the way to Bitalza.