Eamonn Fitzgerald's Rainy Day

Making up the spine of the Riserva Naturale Integrale Lastoni-Selva Pezzi, Monte Baldo is a long, rugged ridge running parallel to the eastern shore of Lago di Garda. It's also a magnet for walkers. The ridge narrows dramatically in several places, marked by a jumble of outcrops and several jagged peaks, the highest of which is Cima Valdritta (2,218 metres). This is not a walk to be taken lightly, by the way. From Cima Pozzette to Cima Valdritta, the path is narrow and open to the elements in places; beyond Valdritta, south to Punta Telegrafo, the ridge is positively terrifying. The day for such a walk has to be chosen carefully as Monte Baldo is a not a place to be caught in snow, sleet or rain. Walking on wet limestone is like walking on ice and the windswept nature of the region makes death from exposure a very real threat.

Still, we're giving ourselves seven hours for this exhilarating hike and, all going well, we'll be rewarded with awesome lake and alpine views. Andiamo!