At 1,739 metres, above Sauris, the pastures of Malga Pieltinis spread across the whole eastern slope of the mountain that gives it its name. Higher up, beneath the summit, lies one of the richest heathlands in the entire Carnic Alps. And in the meadows around the malga grows a little world of its own: alpine rhubarb, alpine timothy, dandelion, Scheuchzers bellflower. Who would have thought a pasture could look so much like a garden?

Here, during the summer pasture season, alpine cheese, smoked ricotta and butter are made, and the farms products can be tasted and taken home. All around, the view opens over the Sauris valley and Monte Tinisa, and in autumn, between October and November, all the vegetation turns to warm colours.

Getting here is easy. You can drive up, or walk: a simple fifty-minute stroll, entirely on a paved road, starting from Lateis and passing Malga Gerona on the way. Its perfect for families too.

And for those who still feel like walking, there is no shortage of trails. From Casera Pieltinis you can climb to the right, cross Forcella Ielma and descend to the malghe Ielma di Sopra and Ielma di Sotto, and on into Val Pesarina (CAI no. 218). Or, keeping left, you cross Forca di Pieltinis and descend to Malga Vinadia Grande (CAI no. 204).

A malga like this, in the end, isnt something you simply visit: you choose it as a season.