Pania di Corfino con portage

Intrigued by trying a downhill variant never seen before for me,I decide to complete this unusual loop to reach Pania di Corfino. The peculiarity of the loop consists in facing the ascent to the summit passing through the Botanical Garden of the Isera refuge, a decidedly challenging stretch, not cyclable, but very beautiful landscape that I had never done in the past.

Departing from the parking lot by the cemetery of Corfino, and on asphalt we reach the Fontanone for a supply of very fresh water. Following the signs for the restaurant Il Fungo we pick up at the Sella di Campaiana where we leave the road and enter the path that leads toward the Pania di Corfino. Once past the little gate at the clearing below the Pania we turn right onto the Buca dei Lupi trail that leads toward Pruno but which we abandon having found the dirt road to Rifugio Isera, which we reach after a few minutes.

The hardest part of the tour starts right here where we begin the ascent to Pania from the Botanical Garden trail. Very steep from the start, the trail goes through a hostile section and then becomes easier while still maintaining a considerable steepness. We come out on a plateau just below the actual summit of Pania and once back up we descend in the saddle toward the large cross just below. Once around the following summit we look for the tracks of the Airone trail that passes through the woods and leads to a scenic bench near a marker indicating Pania di Corfino and Corfino Capaiana Pruno. The wooded section is not in good condition and the yellow-blue marks are barely noticeable, while from the bench onward it improves considerably.

This section is definitely the most beautiful, moderately challenging with a couple of stretches where you need to pay close attention for a couple of exposed sections. The trail leads directly near the monument on the Bandita hill where we continue our descent on Cai 58, a scurvy trail that leads back to Corfino.