Malga Valparola

Setting off from your Hotel La Stüa towards Armentarola, after 3 km you’ll arrive at the sunny meadows of Prè de Costa surrounded by the mountain landscapes of rare beauty at the foot of majestic Settsass, Lavarella and Conturines. Here starts trail no. 18, a wide unpaved path, easily passable by prams and strollers, that ascends slowly across the flowered meadows (that in winter turn into a vast cross-country skiing area), through a coniferous forest with its pleasant shadow up to Malga Valparola (1700 m s.l.m.).

Once the huts in this area were used for smelting and transforming iron-ore from the nearby mines of Livinallongo. However now the story of the area can be guessed only in the German name of this place - "Eisenöfenalm" that means Hut of the Iron Furnaces. The furnaces themselves went to rack and ruin long ago. Now the picturesque meadowy hollow is a pasture for cows, horses and goats, while Malga Valparola is a wonderful farm where, accompanied by the whistle of marmots, you can taste the specialities of the flavoursome Ladin cuisine prepared with the freshest “home-produced” ingredients. Fresh farm products can also be bought in a special small shop. If you wish, from the Malga you can continue to the Valparola Pass along the trail that reveals stunning views of the surrounding Dolomites.