26A - Da Forcella Bassa al vecchio convento Paolo VI

ITALIANO

Arrivati in località Forcella Alta si può parcheggiare o proseguire lungo la strada asfaltata che diverrà sterrata, con diverse canaline per lo scorrimento dell’acqua piovana e raggiungere la località Forcella Bassa. Da qui inizia il sentiero Paolo VI. Il sentiero si presenta fondamentalmente formato da due percorsi paralleli, il primo su cemento, con una staccionata in legno e con un doppio corrimano in ferro, verso la Valle San Martino, da lì è visibile il Comune di Carenno. Il secondo percorso è una strada agro silvo pastorale riservata. Nel percorso è presente un tratto ad esse, per agevolare le sedie a rotelle. Il sentiero si sviluppa da sud, poi a ovest e infine a nord del monte. Si gode lungo il sentiero di splendidi panorami, verso le montagne, i laghi e la valle. Lungo il percorso sono presenti due aree di sosta con tavoli e panche. Si passano varie località fino a raggiungere il “Conventino”.  Si ritorna sullo stesso percorso sino al punto di partenza, Forcella Bassa.

ENGLISH

You take the road that climbs from Almenno San Bartolomeo in the direction of Roncola, continue after the church in the direction of Costa Valle Imagna, with splendid views towards the valley. At the end of the village, at the crossroads, turn left in the direction of Valcava and enter a wood full of beech trees; at the first fork in the road you come to, proceed right in the direction of Pertus. You will then reach the locality of Forcella Alta, from where you can see some very characteristic landscapes, such as the small lake, the mountain, the meadows and the forest. There is a large parking area and we are greeted by signposts, among which is the 'Paul VI Path'. You can park and walk to the start of the path or continue along the asphalt road, which after a bend to the right becomes a dirt road with several channels for rainwater to run off. It is advisable to drive the vehicle with caution, paying attention to the variations along the way. The road ends at Forcella Bassa, also called 'Romilda', after the lady who lived there. This is where the Paul VI path begins. The path basically consists of two parallel routes, the first on concrete, with a wooden fence and a double iron handrail, towards the Valle San Martino from where the municipality of Carenno is visible. The second path is an agro-sylvo-pastoral road that can be travelled by Forestry Service vehicles or by the San Martino Valley Park trail maintainers. Along the route, there is a stretch of themed path that allows the different altitudes to be connected and also makes it accessible to wheelchairs. The path, which starts to the south, then to the west and finally to the north of the mountain, is always illuminated by the sun and it is possible, on a clear day, to have a view of the lakes of Garlate, Annone and Pusiano. If the day is particularly clear, the view can sweep as far as Monviso and Monte Rosa. After about fifteen minutes, you will reach the first area for a short stop. Here is the first sign for the Pertus Educational Nature Trail. We reach the first dwelling in the Monte Alto locality along the route. As we continue on, we are greeted by the Albergo "Pertusino", which is not in operation, but is well maintained and cared for. Every so often along the trail, there are changes of route and crossings between the trail itself and the agro-sylvo-pastoral road. On reaching the locality of Prato, the path has an earth and grass surface and from here onwards it is no longer advisable to continue with wheelchairs. Turning our gaze towards the valley, we can see the Bergamo plain and the flow of the Adda river in the distance. We then arrive at the second picnic area. We reach the final part on the western side of the route at the Conventino. Here Paul VI coordinated the spiritual retreats of the seminarians of the Diocese of Milan. Just before the 'Conventino', the section that can be walked by the blind ends. We return to the starting point, Forcella Bassa, following the route backwards.