Wild Heart of the Brenta: Guided Multi-Day Trek

Your base camp for this trek sits in Val di Sole, a secluded valley on the western frontier of the Dolomites. You arrive independently and check into your hotel, preparing for the adventure ahead.

This gorgeous valley nestles between the Ortler-Cevedale range and the Brenta Dolomites, creating a natural gateway to spectacular hiking terrain. The valley’s name likely derives from Sulis, the Celtic goddess of waters. The region has been celebrated since the Habsburg Empire for its thermal springs at Rabbi and Pejo, where naturally therapeutic waters discovered in the 17th century were once described as a “natural elixir” by Austrian nobility.

Like most Alpine valleys, Val di Sole produces its own cheese, Casolet – woven into the area’s culinary traditions. You will be sure to taste it, should you venture out to explore town before your hiking adventure begins.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel or B&B in Val di Sole

Your adventure begins with a morning lift ride from the valley to the trailhead, starting your walk at approximately 2050 m within the Presanella Group.

These mountains are distinct from the Dolomites, characterized by crystalline rock, abundant water sources, and rich biodiversity. The trail offers a captivating mix, winding through lush pine forests before emerging above the treeline into high-altitude meadows and pristine lakes. As you walk, you’ll be treated to spectacular, unobstructed views of the Brenta Dolomites massif standing directly opposite.

The Presanella area is home to the largest glacier in Trentino, the Mandrone Glacier, a vital source for the numerous lakes and streams you’ll encounter.

Your day concludes at Lake Nambino, a picturesque body of water nestled in the forest, popular for its tranquil beauty.

Hiking: 13 km | ↑620m ↓880m | 5 hrs
Accommodation: Mountain hut at Lake Nambino (1,770m)

Your trek continues along the Presanella slopes, heading higher where most of your route runs above the treeline.

The Five Lakes trail ranks among the most celebrated hikes in the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, with crystal-clear waters reflecting towering peaks and meadows exploding with wildflowers. Your itinerary is timed so you’ll reach these pristine lakes well before day-trippers arriving by lift.

The park is home to a thriving chamois population – early birds might spot these graceful animals grazing in the dawn light. The diverse flora is exceptional, with rhododendrons and gentians painting the high meadows. The park is also known for its successful brown bear reintroduction program launched in 1999.

Your descent brings you to Madonna di Campiglio, a sophisticated and famous Alpine resort town, welcoming mountain enthusiasts since the late 1800s. This is a great town to slow down, take an aperitivo or a gelato (or both), and admire the pretty town and spectacular mountain views.

Hiking: 14 km | ↑670m ↓920m | 6 hrs
Accommodation: Mountain hut in Madonna di Campiglio (1,460m)

Departing from Madonna di Campiglio, you immediately head towards the dramatic heart of the Brenta Dolomites. Your first major landmark is the iconic Vallesinella Waterfalls, a magnificent sequence of cascades that serves as a postcard image for the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park. The trail ascends gently through cool pine forests, crossing the stream multiple times via a series of scenic wooden bridges, allowing you to get close to the refreshing spray at the falls’ edge. Beyond the waterfalls, the forest gradually gives way, opening up breathtaking views of the colossal rock walls of the central Brenta.

Your overnight stay is at a rifugio (mountain hut) perched at nearly 2200 meters, offering commanding views across to the glacial Adamello group.

Hiking: 11 km | ↑860m ↓200m | 5 hrs
Accommodation: Mountain hut (2,190m)

Today’s shorter trek immerses you in the spectacular, rocky landscape that defines the high Brenta. You’ll follow a trail along the base of the impressive Cima Grostè towards Passo Grostè, walking on the typical, exposed, and rugged terrain above 2300 meters.

The main route is a few-hour journey offering compelling views of the Presanella and Adamello ranges to the west. For those craving further exploration, an optional two-hour detour to Orti della Regina is highly recommended to see a vast field of fossilized mollusks, a 230-million-year-old reminder of the Dolomites’ marine origins. The Brenta Dolomites are geologically distinctive for their prominent reddish rock, often attributed to iron oxides, and their specific sedimentary composition, which gives formations like the Pietra Grande their stunning color.

Your day concludes at your hut beneath the majestic Pietra Grande, where you should prepare for one of the trek’s signature gorgeous sunsets.

Hiking: 8 km | ↑570m ↓310m | 4 hrs
Accommodation: Mountain hut at Passo Grostè (2,440m)

A day of significant descent connects Passo Grostè with the legendary Lago di Tovel (Lake Tovel), tracing a path through the extensive meadows of Val Flavona, a large basin in the inner Brenta.

Before reaching the lake, you will pass the magnificent Turrion Tower, a remarkable, 160-meter-high pillar of laminated rock that stands dramatically in the open landscape. The descent is long but manageable, thanks to a well-maintained trail. Lake Tovel is the undisputed highlight, known for its superb mountain reflections. Lake Tovel was famously known as the “Red Lake” because, until 1964, its waters turned a vivid red color every summer due to the proliferation of the algae Tovellia sanguinea in the warm waters. This unique phenomenon brought the lake international fame, and its legacy remains, making it a powerful place of reflection and history.

Take your time here; Lake Tovel rewards those who linger with its ever-changing light and peaceful atmosphere.

Hiking: 15 km | ↑70m ↓1,310m | 5 hrs
Accommodation: Mountain hut at Lake Tovel (1,170m)

We recommend you rise early and start your morning with a short pre-breakfast walk to the northern shore of Lake Tovel to capture the sunrise: the light hitting the mountain peaks while the lake remains smooth and shadowed, creating perfect reflections.

Today, you trek into the Northern Brenta, the least-visited yet most ecologically diverse section of the range, offering a tapestry of red rock, verdant pastures, and deep pine forests. You can expect peaceful solitude here, probably seeing only a few other hikers crossing your path today! In fact, it is likely we will spot more marmots than hikers today.

Our destination is Monte Peller, an outlying mountain at the Brenta’s northern extreme. The high-altitude meadows (malghe) are not just scenic; they represent a crucial part of the traditional alpine economy. An hour before reaching your hut for the night, you’ll pass a farm known for producing exceptional dairy products – an ideal place to stop and taste some fresh alpine specialties.

Hiking: 13 km | ↑1,190m ↓390m | 6 hrs
Accommodation: Mountain hut near Monte Peller (2,090m)

Today you have a choice for your final hiking morning. The adventurous option is an ascent to the summit of Monte Peller from the hut. It is a demanding and exposed trail with secure sections. From its 2,320-meter summit, this isolated peak offers a legendary 360-degree panorama, sweeping across the entire Northern and Central Brenta and extending to the Ortler-Cevedale group.

Alternatively, an easier route leads to Lake Salare, a calm and scenic tarn nestled in green meadows beneath the slopes, a known and favorite spot for landscape artists.

Marmots are prolific in the meadows around Monte Peller; listen for their sharp, whistling alarm calls as they communicate to the colony about potential danger approaching.

The day concludes with a final descent and a short transfer back to your original base camp hotel in Val di Sole.

Hiking: 15 km | ↑520m ↓640m | 5 hrs
Accommodation: 3-star hotel or B&B in Val di Sole

Your Brenta trek draws to a close this morning. After breakfast at your hotel, you’re free to depart Val di Sole at your leisure. The Adamello-Brenta Nature Park stands as one of the Alps’ best-preserved regions, showcasing its extraordinary blend of monumental Dolomitic landscapes, lush forests, and rich alpine wildlife.

The memories you’re taking home, the sunset glow on Pietra Grande, the mirror-still surface of Lake Tovel at dawn, the whistle of marmots at Pian della Nana, the cool spray of Vallesinella’s cascades – these are the moments that make the Brenta Dolomites special.

This is hiking at its finest: challenging enough to feel accomplished, beautiful enough to take your breath away.

This trek is also available in 6-day, 7-day, and 8-day versions for those with limited time or who prefer a shorter adventure. Each option maintains the quality and highlights of the full trek while matching your preferred trip length.

All shorter versions include the same level of accommodation, meals, and guide as the complete trek.

Contact us to discuss which duration best suits your plans, hiking goals, and how the tour can be varied.