Suspension bridge - Malga Fratte

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Suspension bridge - Malga Fratte

Route info

Moderate

Distance

2.9 km

Activity time

3:00 h.

Uphill Elevation

102 m

Downhill elevation

144 m

Physical effort

Scenary

Highest point

1482 m

Lowest point

1260 m

Height difference

222 m

Copyright

APT Valli di Sole, Peio e Rabbi

Suggestions

When you get to the middle of the bridge, if you have the chance, stop, look at the falls and then close your eyes. Up there, standing still with the roar of the water shattering the silence of the snow, with the water splashing your face, you will feel at one with nature and the passing of time.

Safety information

When hiking in the snow, follow these guidelines:

make sure you are well informed about the route and conditions before setting out. You can do this by contacting your nearest information office;
the day before your excursion, check the weather forecast and the avalanche bulletin;
if you expect to reach an alpine dairy or mountain refuge, make sure that this will be open and, if you intend to stop to eat or sleep, call beforehand to book;
if you do not feel well before you set off, postpone the excursion until you feel better;
never leave litter in the mountains and, if possible, avoid leaving your rubbish at mountain refuges or malgas that you visit;
if you spot wild animals along the way, we invite you to not go too near, not shout and to keep your dog on a lead, to stop it instinctively chasing and scaring the animal.

Starting point

Car parking near the Terme di Rabbi spa

Directions

From the car park at Rabbi Fonti, near the Terme di Rabbi spa (closed in winter), follow the easy-to-spot forestry road which climbs up on the left-hand side of the main road, with signs for Ponte Sospeso and Malga Fratte.
Follow it uphill for about a kilometre until you find signs on your right for the path to Ponte Sospeso/Malga Fratte Bassa. Follow it, enjoying the silence and the strength that you can feel in the fir wood, until you come close to the deep valley of the Ragaiolo River, crossed by the suspension bridge.
The bridge is about 100 metres long and it crosses the gorge at a height of 57 metres, right beside the Ragaiolo waterfall, which is particularly impressive in winter, when the water splashes through the ice.As you cross the bridge, you must stop to enjoy the spectacle and savour the sensations in your body, suspended 60 metres above the ground!
After the bridge, the path continues slightly downhill until you come to an old mule track that climbs up from below (be careful: the ground may be frozen here!). Follow this up until it crosses the forest road, which soon takes you to Malga Fratte Bassa (1,482 m asl). Stop here and admire the views out over Val di Rabbi.If you intend to stop and savour the typical dishes served in the malga, we recommend that, before setting out on your excursion, you check opening times and, if possible, book on (+39) 339.2868811.

The return journey takes you back down the same forest road and from below you will be able to see the suspension bridge that you walked over earlier. Continue along the road, past the cross-country ski trail and the Rabbies River, until you reach the starting point of your hike.

The stretch leading to the suspension bridge may be closed due to ice. In this case, you can take the route given as way back from Malga Fratte for both your outward and return journeys.

Public transportation

You can reach San Bernardo with the Trentino Trasporti MALÈ - RABBI BAGNI – SOMRABBI bus service (download bus times out and back).

How to get there

Follow the S.P. 86 provincial road in Val di Rabbi to Rabbi Bagni and park near the Terme di Rabbi spa.

Here is a list of items you should have with you when you go snowshoeing:

waterproof hiking boots;
snowshoes and hiking poles. To hire these, find your nearest rental facility;
waterproof, comfortable, warm winter clothing;
face mask, in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocol;
hat, gloves, sunglasses and sun cream;backpack with a snack and a hot drink in a thermos;
an avalanche self-rescue kit is MANDATORY 'where, due to snow and weather conditions, there is an avalanche risk’ (Art.26 Legislative Decree 40 of 28 February 2021). The kit consists of an ARTVA avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and make sure you know how to use them before going on any excursion;
camera or mobile phone for immortalising your favourite views and sights. If you like, you can share them on social media with the tag #visitvaldisole.