Knotto Altar

From the Tellale bend (1137 m), take the forest track indicated by the white/red signs no. 802. The track winds along in a gradual and pleasant climb, crossing a beautiful mixed forest of predominantly beech but also fir trees, with a suggestive undergrowth from which cyclamens clearly stand out. Already here, you can see the rock that will characterise the highlights of the excursion, but for the moment the environment is one of fresh woodland. At the first crossroads you come across, the choice is up to you: on the right it is steeper and straighter, while on the left it is slightly longer and more gradual. When the two paths come together, you have almost arrived at the junction that leads to the first destination, reached with a short detour: on the left it takes five minutes to arrive at the Altarburg (1301 m), a summit on which stands a large metal cross raised on a white base. From here you can enjoy the view of the Val d'Astico and, if the weather permits, of the Brenta Dolomites. The name is translated from the ancient German as ancient castle, but whether there was a stronghold here or not is a matter of legend.

Return to the fork and take the left road, continuing gradually uphill through the thick woods. If you stop to look back, you will see the cross where you have just been. Keeping to the left, the path leads to the Knotto Altar, a huge boulder suspended in the air and apparently hovering (1334 m). This place, whose name means stone altar, is really impressive and it is clear how it may have inspired a religious sentiment in past communities.

The path leads to a viewing point just above the boulder; to reach this, you have to descend a narrow and steep trail embedded in the rocks, which is not really possible for everybody (evaluate your skills well before attempting this).

After enjoying this geological curiosity, the view continues on the path to the right, (sign Alta Kugela), uphill and again through the woods. After passing a sort of suggestive stone "mushroom", you reach the fork of the Alta Kugela (1355 m). The path proceeds to the right (sign Curva del Tellale) but first it is advisable to deviate to the left, so as to reach this particular rocky ledge that forms a kind of natural shelter, a very suggestive and evocative place.

Going back to the fork in the road, take the path to the left and following the white/red tracks you cross a forest to reach a wider track where you continue to the left, still slightly uphill, until a further fork emerges and the highest point of the entire loop (1422 m).

Keep to the right and the descent becomes quite steep, down to an asphalt road (1353 m). Follow the road to the right but after the hairpin bend, leave it again for a path still to the right (sign for Curva del Tellale) that leads again across a stretch of fir forest, which is very pleasant and relaxing.

Shortly before reaching the asphalt road again, there is a further crossroads: on the right, the path stays parallel to the road leading in the direction of the Tellale Curve, but it can be difficult to walk because of the dense vegetation. Often it is better to keep to the left by descending directly on the asphalt, then following it to the right to return to the car.