(photo by: Archivio PNDBL)
Access: From Faè by car to Pian de le Stele, then on foot along small roads and trails up to Palughet (trail no. 509)
An atypical valley, maybe originating from a big ancient landslide
Caiada Valley, known for the quality and extension of its forest environments, distinguishes itself for the particular and enigmatic (considering its origins) amphitheater-like shape. The big woody valley, suspended over the upper Val Desedan, is surrounded by a circle of mountains (Cimon, Cime di Caiada, Cirvoi) the foot of which is covered with woody detritus formations. On the large undulating bottom (glacial deposits and, locally, torrential deposits) several small watercourses converge, partly dissolving for infiltration (and re-emerging more downstream, giving birth to torrent Desedan), partly forming marshes (Palughet wetland). Pian Cajada is a basin with a complex morphogenesis. According to recent studies (L.Salti, 1997), its formation could be linked to an imposing paleo-landslide which detached from the Cime di Cajada in a stage of partial glacial withdrawal during the latest glaciation (about 25 – 30,000 years ago), filling in and entirely obstructing the head of Val Desedan. Later, during the latest glacial expansion, the surface of the landslide was smoothed in its morphological aspects by a creeping glacial tongue of the big Piave glacier. The giant landslide accumulation (substratum of the basin) has stabilized, except in its eastern side, interested by a big landslide-erosive phenomenon (Le Roe).
Rocks, environments, and other features
Rocks: The circle of mountains delimiting the valley is mainly dug in the flint dolomie of the Soverzene Formation. Climbing to casera Cirvoi, you will touch first the marly rocks of the Igne Formation (Forcella Palughet) and then the tough banks of the Vajont Limestone (Mt. Cirvoi), often minutely carved by karst phenomena (limestone pavements, dolines)
Landscape features:
Glacial features: glacial deposits scattered on the bottom of the valley
Karst features: limestone pavement and dolines (c/o casera Cirvoi)
River-torrential features: alluvial shores of Rio di Caneva; gorge of torrent Desedan
Environment / Landscape
Woods, pastures, and marsh basins
Among the most interesting biotopes of the Park, Caiada Valley stands out of the quality and extension of its forest environments (silver fir and beech tree mixed woods), alternating with gentle and undulating clearings and a big marsh pasture basin (Palughet).
Notes: easy itineraries, with not very high differences in height.