This strenuous route at the foot of the Maddalene mountain group climbs from Rumo up to Passo Castrin, then crosses South Tyrolean territory along the slopes of Monte Ozol and returns to Rumo.
Anyone climbing the slopes of the Maddalene mountain group starting from Rumo will immediately understand what it is about: almost suddenly you are faced with an extremely steep ascent. From afar, the mountain group with its soft and green slopes appears gentle, yet the climbs to the heart of the mountains are extremely demanding. Consequently, it is pleasant to tackle the first elevation gains on a secondary paved road which from Corte Inferiore leads to Proves and its hamlet of Matzlaun. At this point, you can choose to continue on the less steep provincial road towards Val d’Ultimo or take the steep dirt road leading to the Maddalene mountain huts. Choosing the latter option, you are rewarded by the successive downhill views of the beautiful and hospitable Malga Kessel Bassa, Malga Revò, and Malga Cloz, which are neatly situated on an unparalleled panoramic balcony: the Brenta Dolomites, the peaks of the Maddalene, and the Val di Non fill the sky 360°, and to this is added the warm hospitality and renowned excellent cuisine of the mountain huts. Once you reach Passo Castrin, you cross the provincial road leading to nearby Val d’Ultimo, then follow the dirt road called “Neuer Weg” which on South Tyrolean ground leads to Passo di Brez, then descends to the village of Lauregno and returns to Rumo.
The trail connecting Malga Kessel to Passo Castrin is an educational trail enriched with a series of interesting interpretative panels explaining the life and traditions of alpine dairying and the linguistic border area between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano. It is certainly worth stopping to read these explanations to better understand the particular area you are crossing.
