Day 5 : Trinità to Rifugio Soria-Ellena

From the Locanda del Parco, continue into the 'center' of town and take the path to the right crossing the river. From there the forested path goes uphill, a few steep parts, but mostly gently; switching between hiking trails and gravel roads. Older guidebooks may indicate a route that follows the road for a longer stretch, but if you follow the markings, you get a more scenic trail. You reach a minor pass, Colle Vailetto.

After a few hundred meters, a rather steep descent follows until the river. Cross the stream, but don't cross the main river, which you follow to the end of the valley, to reach San Giacomo. San Giacomo has a campsite and a posto tappa at Baita Monte Gelas, which also serves meals; Polenta seems to be their main dish, but it is a fairly popular place.

You can stop in San Giacomo, or continue past the Baita, following a gently climbing jeep track. After 2 km or so, the track starts to climb more seriously, leading up to the upper valley, with Rifugio Soria-Ellena.