Scanuppia Nature Reserve

Solitary walks among the scents of the woods and wild landscapes, discovering the call of the capercaillie at dawn and “climbing” the legendary 45% gradient ramp

Situated on the Vigolana massif, above the village of Besenello, the reserve covers approximately 550 hectares, at an altitude ranging from about 1,450 metres above sea level near Malga Palazzo to the 2,132-metre summit of Monte Vigolana.

Rich in different environments, the reserve combines forests, pastures and plateaus: beech woods and Norway and silver firs dominate the lower elevations, followed by larches and finally mountain pines and rhododendrons in high-altitude woodland areas. The reserve is famous for the capercaillie, as well as for the large presence of deer and roe deer, while among the birds it is possible to spot the golden eagle.

Inside the reserve stands the historic Malga Palazzo, built in 1589 and a remarkable example of fortified mountain architecture, with battlements and high stone walls.

Hikes and routes

The reserve offers numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty, but all require good preparation, sure footing and suitable clothing and footwear.
There are also loop trails and high-altitude routes, but the access path from the municipality of Besenello is the most demanding and also the most famous. It is better known as the “steepest climb in Europe”, with an average gradient of 17.5% that reaches 45% at one point (the so-called “45% ramp”, as indicated by the famous sign under which many hikers take a commemorative photo of their achievement). The concrete road climbing from Besenello to Malga Palazzo is approximately 7.5 km long, with the first section being the toughest, featuring gradients consistently above 20% and no possibility of recovery on flatter stretches. The local name “Scanucia” derives from a deformation of Cimbrian terms connected to the idea of a “small staircase”, referring to the ancient ramps that once made the ascent easier.

Download the track for the “steepest climb in Europe” here!