Autumn Colours: Cansiglio and Palantina

The route crosses a beech forest with historic Venetian boundary stones, then climbs through a larch grove to Casera Palantina, surrounded by spectacular autumn colours.
From here, the view opens up over the landscape below. The trail continues towards Forcella Palantina; beyond the pass, you can reach a site particularly rich in rudist fossils. These molluscs bear witness to the extensive coral reefs of the Cretaceous period, when the plateau lay beneath a tropical sea.

. hiking shoes or boots;
. a medium-sized mountain backpack (about 25 litres);
. trekking poles (recommended);
. food and plenty of water (at least 1 litre)**;
. suitable technical clothing;
. a sun hat and a woollen hat;
. sunglasses with UV protection;
. sunscreen;
. a windproof jacket (technical shell);
. a head torch (as a precaution);
. personal medication*.

If you are unsure about your equipment, call me or send me a photo via WhatsApp and we will check it together. Your footwear and equipment must be in good condition.

*The guide carries a first aid kit only.

**Bring a packed lunch.

Route details:

. elevation difference: approximately 594 metres;
. total ascent: approximately 918 metres;
. route length: approximately 11.5 km;
. average gradient: 13.8%.

Please note: a route may follow a simple profile (ascent, stop, descent), in which case the elevation difference and total ascent are similar, or an undulating profile with climbs and descents of varying size. This can be assessed from the difference between those two figures. Distance and average gradient also help you assess the physical effort required. This effort is subjective and depends on your ability and fitness; the guide's assessments are therefore general indications.

Read the notes on technical difficulty and physical effort.

Recommended minimum age: 8 - 10 years.

A normal level of general fitness, familiarity with mountain hiking and some hiking experience are required.

The activity is also suitable for beginners who are in good physical condition, understand that this is one of their first experiences, and are willing to face any difficulties with the guide's assistance.

Hikes take place only in safe weather and climate conditions. Changeable conditions are assessed by the guide.

Possible or likely light rain does not necessarily make the route impassable or prevent the hike from taking place. Assessment of these conditions rests with the guide.

In bad weather or difficult or adverse conditions, the activity may be postponed or cancelled at the guide's discretion to ensure safety.

Optional boot hire: 5 euro per pair.

Optional contribution for a lift by car, if available: 10 euro per person.

Bring a packed lunch.

Local venues may be available for refreshments after the activity.

Meeting time: 08:30 at the location indicated (see MAP).

Participants will receive a message by the day before with:
. confirmation of the activity;
. timings;
. the Google Maps meeting point;
. any other instructions.

Approximate return to the cars: 15:30.

Although realistic, these timings are estimates rather than precise or compulsory times. They may be changed by the guide, including by agreement, and cover:
. travelling to the starting point;
. getting ready;
. the initial briefing;
. the hike;
. returning to the cars;
. changing clothes;
. saying goodbye.

The initial briefing explains how to proceed and how to help prevent the risks and hazards associated with the activity.

Custom timings can be agreed for pre-existing groups only.

ACTUAL HIKING TIME is usually planned around approximately two hours of uphill walking, a lunch break (where possible at the highest point), and the return journey (where possible downhill).

CHANGES TO TIMINGS AND MEETING POINTS MAY BE AGREED IN ADVANCE.

Every participant must read, accept and comply with the HIKE REGULATIONS.

Meeting point:
S. Anna di Tambre - Col Indes (BL)

It is my first time. Can I join?
If you have no experience but have a healthy physical condition and at least some basic fitness, you can take part in this excursion and discover what mountain trekking with a backpack feels like.

Is this excursion difficult?
It is better to make things clear BEFORE you register, so that once you take part you do not feel you misjudged the activity or that the Guide expressed the level unclearly.
Here are a few explanations.
Easy, medium, difficult... PAY ATTENTION to the meaning of these words!
They refer to the technical characteristics of the routes and terrain related to the proposed activities, and NOT to a judgement on the physical effort required.
This is the general classification of hiking routes according to the Italian Alpine Club (CAI):
T (Tourist - Easy):
Short, well-marked trails, limited elevation gain, suitable for everyone.
E (Hiking - Medium):
Marked trails, varied terrain such as pastures and debris, suitable shoes and sure-footedness required.
EE (Expert Hikers - Difficult):
Rough trails, unstable ground, exposed sections, requiring very good experience and orientation skills.
EEA (Equipped Expert Hikers):
Routes on rock faces or very steep and exposed ridges. Progression is assisted by artificial structures such as steel cables, chains, pegs and ladders and requires specific protective equipment. Only for expert and equipped hikers who do not suffer from vertigo, with sure footing and resistance to heights.
To understand whether a proposed activity is within your reach in terms of physical effort, you need to look at the route characteristics: elevation gain and total ascent in metres, overall distance in kilometres and average gradient as a percentage.
Here are a few guidelines for excursions:
If you have excellent fitness, you will be able to do all activities with normal effort and little fatigue.
If you have good fitness, you will be able to do everything, perhaps with a little more fatigue.
If you have average fitness, you should prefer proposals with distances under 15 km, little difference between elevation gain and total ascent, which indicates fewer ups and downs, and gradients below 15%.
If you have poor fitness, you should limit yourself to activities no longer than 8 to 10 km and elevation gains/ascents below about 500 metres, preferably with few ups and downs.
If you believe you have no physical preparation, think carefully before deciding to join any activity, even an easier one, and talk with the Guide about what you would like to do in relation to your actual physical condition.
When filling in the registration form, you will also be asked for a few simple details to understand your physical condition and experience level in advance.
These are not "sensitive" data, but simple indications of how you will appear to the Guide at the meeting point.
If you want to know whether you can join too, it is best to make this check as soon as possible, preferably when registering.

How should I dress?
The right clothing is known as "layered" clothing, or "onion-skin" dressing: to manage temperature changes, you use several not-too-thick layers that can be put on or taken off according to outdoor conditions. In any case, technical and breathable garments should be preferred, avoiding fabrics that retain moisture such as cotton. It is also advisable to always have a windproof jacket and useful accessories in case of significant temperature or humidity changes. The Guide is always available for advice and clarification.

What shoes do I need?
Robust technical shoes with a well-gripped sole, preferably mountain boots, in good condition.

What about the backpack?
It should be a mountain backpack with a capacity of at least 25 litres.

What else should I bring?
See the what to bring section.

I am afraid of slowing down the other participants.
This is a false and misleading problem, because any group will always have someone faster and someone slower. The only possible rule is that we travel together and adjust the pace, under the Guide's unquestionable management, to the slowest participant. The excursion regulations that you declared you had read and accepted when registering are very clear about this.

Is it dangerous?
Yes. Like any activity in life, it exposes us to risks and hazards, but I can guarantee that, thanks to the way I work and to my background of knowledge, certified skills and experience, we will move with the highest possible level of safety and reliability.

What about food and drink?
For this type of afternoon and evening experience it is important to eat well during the day and keep a suitable water supply with you.
If you feel hungry before starting, you can easily have a snack.
During the activity there is a scheduled stop at the mountain dairy for refreshments or dinner.

What about specific medical conditions and life-saving medicines?
Because of your right to privacy, I cannot know whether you have any specific medical conditions, but if you think it is appropriate you can tell me, and I can also carry with me, in my backpack and in a watertight container, any life-saving medicines you may need.

Any advice about valuables and car keys?
Since we carry with us the car keys and anything that is not wise to leave inside the vehicles, try to keep valuables to a minimum.

Other dates are always available on request for at least 4 people, with a separate quote.

- Guide service

- insurance policies (third-party liability + accident cover)

. personal transport
 . meals
 . extras not listed under "the offer includes"

- advance bank transfer

- deposit (10.00 euros) + cash on site

- gift voucher, to be activated during registration

Gift voucher terms
Unless otherwise and explicitly agreed, the gift voucher for one of the activities offered by TO SEE travel & outdoor cannot be converted into cash, does not entitle the holder to cash change and is non-refundable, even if it is not used before its expiry date.

The voucher may be used only for the services indicated and according to the conditions stated on it.

Any conversion of gift vouchers into discount vouchers for other activities is possible only by explicit prior agreement.

Other conditions:

- unless otherwise specified, the voucher is valid for 12 months;
- the voucher may be used only once;
- the voucher may be transferred to another person, who must be reported to TO SEE in advance;
- booking is mandatory and subject to availability;
- use of the voucher is subject to the same limiting conditions as any TO SEE activity:
 . minimum number of 4 registered participants for the activity;
 . favourable weather conditions;
 . accessible route conditions;
 . absence of other force majeure impediments.
- it cannot be combined with other promotions, unless otherwise indicated.

You can make bank transfers to:
IBAN: IT67P0760105138240966640969
BIC: BPPIITRRXXX
account holder: Tirindelli Enrico

Bookings not accompanied by advance payment of the full fee or the deposit are invalid.

The program may vary in case of low participation, fewer than 8 registered participants, adverse weather or other circumstances affecting the safety of the activity.

Assessments of weather conditions and other safety-related aspects are the responsibility of the Guide, and the resulting decisions are accepted unconditionally by participants.

Cancellation of the activity decided by the Guide entitles participants to a refund or to conversion of the paid fees into a voucher.

In case of cancellation due to low registrations, adverse weather or other later impediments NOT attributable to the Guide, conversion into a voucher usable for the same activity on another date is possible.

Any refunds will be made only by bank transfer or another traceable system.

If a refund of fees paid is requested for cancellation decided by the Guide for causes not attributable to the Guide, payment commission costs will be deducted.

If the cancellation depends on causes attributable to the Guide, conversion into a voucher will still be possible and any refunds will not be subject to deductions for payment commissions.

Cancellations decided unilaterally by clients up to 10 days before the activity date will result in the planned deposit being charged.

Cancellations decided unilaterally by clients less than 10 days before the activity date, or no-shows, will result in the full fee being charged.