From Rifugio Rivetti, the route descended nearly 1,800 meters into the valley below, ending in a small village. As it was a Sunday, the village was unusually lively, with a great deal of activity everywhere. Since I was moving quickly and the stage ahead was relatively short, I took some time to stroll through the village and restock supplies at the small local store.
At the far end of the village, the route was supposed to cross a bridge. However, the bridge had been destroyed, leaving the continuation of the trail unclear. Unsure how to proceed, I initially followed the road, planning to climb back up the mountain on the opposite side. Soon after, I noticed several people carefully crossing the river by stepping over large boulders. I followed their lead and managed to cross the river, rejoining the official route on the other side.
What I had hoped would be an easier section turned out to be anything but. A powerful storm in 2020 had triggered multiple rockslides, forcing me to traverse unstable and partially eroded sections of trail. These crossings were slow and, at times, demanding, requiring careful movement and constant attention.
Eventually, the path climbed onto a narrow ridge, where the Rifugio appeared in an extraordinary position. Perched high above the valley, the refuge offered an almost panoramic view in every direction. Its dramatic location, surrounded by open space and sweeping mountain scenery, made the effort of the ascent more than worthwhile.