Exploring the Brenta Dolomites

“What incomparable variety of beauty! … Before the traveller’s eyes rise towers, horns, cupolas, columns, spires, crowded together in endless variety.” British mountaineer Douglas Freshfield upon seeing the Brenta Dolomites for the first time in 1875.

The Brenta Dolomites: What & Where

The westernmost group of the Unesco-inscribed Dolomite mountains, the spectacular Brenta Dolomites lie north-west of Trento, geographically separated from the main Dolomite groups by the river Adige Valley, but geologically and morphologically, with their spires and towers, the same.

Together with the adjoining Adamello-Presanella range,  the Brenta Dolomites are safeguarded as part of the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park. They extend for 40 km north to south, and 12 km in width, with many peaks above 3,000 meters, offering a great variety of hiking trails, vie ferrate, high-altitude huts and climbing ascents.

The main town in the area is trendy Madonna di Campiglio, at the base of Brenta’s western flanks, providing access to a series of walks, thanks also to lifts. In the south-east are the villages of Andalo and Molveno, the departing points for excursions into the south-eastern part of the group.

Hiking in the Brenta Dolomites

Here are some of the most spectacular one-day and multi-day excursions you can enjoy in the Brenta Dolomites.

One-Day Hike

The Brenta Dolomites Tour

This walk departs at the Grosté gondola lift, which takes up to the Grosté Pass (2442m), where you enter the eastern portion of the Brenta Dolomites. This 18-Km walks takes you into the heart of the Brenta Dolomites, with incredible views over their spires, towers, needles and glaciers. Stop for a delicious fruit cake at Rifugio Tuckett e Sella, to be enjoyed on the delightful panoramic terrace, and have lunch at Rifugio ai Brentei, also located in a spectacular position, dwarfed by Cima Tosa and Crozzon di Brenta, two of the highest Brenta peaks, both above 3,000 meters.

The walk ends at Madonna di Campiglio and takes about 5hr 30 min to complete.

Two-Day Hike

If you want to immerse yourself in the wild natural landscapes of the Brenta Dolomites, you may opt to sleep overnight in one of the mountain huts set among the towering mountains of this rocky landscape.

Western Brenta

This walk departs at Vallesinella, near Madonna di Campiglio. On day one, you reach Rifugio Ai Brentei, first passing through conifer woods, then emerging on rocky terrain at the foot of the Western Brenta mountains. On day two, leaving from Rifugio Ai Brentei, you’ll enjoy views of the western flanks while descending back to Vallesinella through walkways and staircases, with waterfalls along the way.

Each day is approximately a five-hour hike.

Multi-day Hike

For those looking to spend several days hiking at high altitude, the Dolomiti di Brenta Trek is highly recommended.

Dolomiti di Brenta Trek

There are two options to choose from: the ‘Expert’ and the ‘Country’ variants.

The Brenta Dolomites Trek Expert encompasses the entire Dolomite group of the Brenta. It’s a loop that stays at an average altitude of 2,000 meters. It covers 96 km of well-marked paths, with overnight stays at huts in the southern, most popular area of the Brenta Dolomites, and in Alpine cottages (malghe) or bivouacs in the northern, less frequented and wildest area.

It’s 96 km long and takes at least six days to complete, although hikers can make it shorter and avoid the most difficult stretches or vie ferrate through four variants.

The Brenta Dolomites Trek Country is for those who prefer easier terrain and less strenuous walks and would rather sleep in the comfort of a hotel. Starting at Madonna di Campiglio, it partially retraces the ancient “Via di San Vili” in Val Rendena, then continues along the so-called “Roman Trail” in the Sporeggio Valley, and on to the enchanting Val di Tovel.

This trek is at lower altitudes, among pastures and valleys. To walk it in its entirety is about 160 km, but can also be shortened.

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For more information, visit the Dolomiti di Brenta Trek website.

Silvia Donati, director of the site bolognauncovered.com (the last article is about Tagliatella Bolognese… fantastic!!!)