Route requiring experience at high altitude. To undertake the itinerary safely, rely on the professionalism of the Alpine Guides of Val di Sole.
The information in this sheet is subject to inevitable changes, therefore no information is absolute. It is impossible to avoid inaccuracies or errors due to rapid environmental or weather changes. In this regard, we decline all responsibility for any changes experienced by the user. It is recommended in any case to check before starting a hike the condition of the area and environmental or weather conditions.
As you can imagine, the passability of routes in a mountain environment is strictly linked to current conditions and depends on natural phenomena, environmental changes, and weather conditions. For this reason, the information in this sheet may have changed. Before departure, check the route status by contacting the hut managers on your route, the alpine guides, park visitor centers, and tourist offices.
DAY 1: RIFUGIO STELLA ALPINA AT LAKE CORVO
EE - Expert Hikers
From the village of Piazzola, you ascend to the hamlet of Cavallar. You can start on foot from the Cavallar parking lot (1,450 m) just above the village or reach the Malga Samocleva (1,892 m) thanks to the Park shuttle bus (reservation required). From the hut you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Val di Rabbi: from here with SAT trail 108 you enter the valley crossed by the Corvo Lake stream. After crossing the stream, you reach Malga Caldesa Alta, from where, along a grassy ridge with views of the Brenta Dolomites and the Presanella, you reach Rifugio Stella Alpina at Lake Corvo (2,425 m).
DAY 2: RIFUGIO SAÈNT «S. DORIGONI»
EE - Expert Hikers
It is the most classic crossing between huts in the entire Val di Sole and passes over Cima Collecchio, a true viewpoint situated between the Dolomites and the mountains of the Ortles-Cevedale Group. From Rifugio Lago Corvo (2,425 m) with SAT trail 145 you reach the Corvo Lakes (2,464 m), glacial lakes still inhabited by alpine char and surrounded by numerous marmots. From here you start the ascent, which takes place on an excellent path, often still snowy at the beginning of the season, until reaching the Cima Collecchio. Along an easy crest, you reach the Passo Giogo Nero, where you descend using SAT trail 107 for a long traverse at mid-height, not very steep but somewhat exposed until the flat pastures near the Rifugio Saènt «S. Dorigoni» (2,437 m).
DAY 3: RIFUGIO MARTELLO
EEA - Expert Hikers with Equipment
Path starting from Rifugio Dorigoni in Val di Rabbi and reaching Val Martello. It runs on the wide alpine meadows of the Saènt Valley and descends along the steep valley overlooking Lake Zufrittsee. Departure from Rifugio Saènt «S. Dorigoni» following SAT trail 101 to Passo di Saènt (2,965 m). From here, two alternatives are possible: the recommended route includes crossing the Grames Glacier via trail 37A and ascending the Cima Rossa di Martello "Vorderer Rotspitz" (3,033 m). The last section leads through a steep secured path with ropes. To pass this point it is necessary to have the proper equipment. From the summit you descend along trail 37 to Rifugio Martello «Marteller Hütte» (2,610 m). Pay attention to forks that are poorly marked. Along the route you may spot marmots, chamois, and deer, especially on the slopes below Cima Rossa di Martello.
The alternative, recommended in bad weather, involves descending from Passo di Saènt on the right using trail 12, skirting the Saènt glacier and crossing it at the base down to about 2,105 m. Then, first with trail 36, then with trail 150, you reach Rifugio Corsi «Zufall Hütte» (2,265 m). Finally, taking trail 103, you arrive at Rifugio Martello (2,610 m).
DAY 4: RIFUGIO CEVEDALE «G. LARCHER»
EEA - Expert Hikers with Equipment
Starting from Rifugio Martello «Marteller Hütte» (2,610 m), with a wonderful view of Monte Cevedale "Zufallspitze" (3,757 m) towering among the last larches, in about half an hour you reach the start of the Forcola Glacier, following SAT trail 103. It is best to start the ascent about 100 meters to the right (northwest) of the long moraine covering the glacier until it levels out just below Passo della Forcola. Cross the glacier until it ends against the slope which you ascend by following a long traverse from right to left to reach the Pass (marked with wooden poles). It is recommended to undertake this in good visibility conditions and using rope and crampons. On the Forcola Glacier, just below the homonymous pass, there may be some crevasses orthogonal to the ascent trace.
From Passo della Forcola, use a good trail, steep only in the initial stretch, to descend into Val de la Mare with excellent views of huge moraines, rocks smoothed by glacier passages, and some groups of chamois. The glaciological and geomorphological features are among the most evident and interesting in the entire Ortles-Cevedale Group. Always following SAT trail 103 you reach Rifugio Cevedale «G. Larcher» (2,608 m).
DAY 5: RIFUGIO SAÈNT «S. DORIGONI»
EEA - Expert Hikers with Equipment
This route is the natural connection between the upper Val di Peio (Val de la Mare) and the upper Val di Rabbi (Val di Saènt). The SAT trail 104 starts near Rifugio Cevedale «G. Larcher» (2,608 m) and climbs several hundred meters before descending into the wide valley of Lago Lungo (2,630 m). After a flat stretch, the trail turns left and rises quickly with sometimes snowy sections, also passing some small lakes (Le Pozze). You reach the north ridge of Cima Lago Lungo (3,149 m) and then descend to the Careser Glacier where you meet SAT trail 104A. From here you climb through small valleys and scree slopes until you reach a large wooden totem (used for orientation in fog) where the glacier ascent starts with a first quite steep part that then becomes almost flat up to Bocca di Saènt (3,121 m). Due to the rapid retreat of the Careser Glacier, a new route crossing its easternmost part has been traced. The glacier section is about 1 km long, not steep, and you do not risk slipping: you cross flat, staying about 500 m to the right (north) of the rocky ridge connecting Cima Careser to Cima Campisol and, walking always parallel to this ridge, you reach the end of the glacier where there is another wooden totem. From Bocca di Saènt you then descend crossing debris slopes and grassy hills to reach Val Saènt and meet SAT trail 101 which in a few minutes leads to Rifugio Saènt «S. Dorigoni» (2,436 m).
During this crossing, you enjoy the best view of the ridge from Monte Vioz to Monte Cevedale and can appreciate the action the glaciers have had in the past and their environmental and climatic significance. It is recommended to do this in good visibility conditions and with decent training on high-altitude routes. After recent snowfalls, the climb to Bocca di Saènt and the glacier crossing become difficult also due to lack of tracks. Trekking poles are very helpful. The use of rope and crampons, if following the indicated route, is usually not necessary. It is advisable to enquire about the glacier conditions at Rifugio Dorigoni or Rifugio Larcher.
DAY 6: MALGA STABLASOLO
EE - Expert Hikers
After crossing the meadow below Rifugio Saènt «S. Dorigoni» (2,436 m), at the junction between signs 106 and 128, take SAT trail 128 to reach Baito della Valletta. At this point, keeping to the right, be careful and follow the path marked by stone cairns leading to Baito Campisol Alto. The path, although not technically difficult, requires good eyesight to locate the cairns. From Baito Campisol Alto, descend to Malga Stablasolo (1,529 m), from where with SAT trail 106 you reach the Coler parking lot (1,380 m).
Reach Trento via the Verona-Brenner railway, then from here via the Trento-Malé-Mezzana railway to Val di Sole, connected by local bus to all villages. For timetable info visit www.valdisole.net/IT/Trasporti-Pubblici
FROM BOLOGNA-VERONA AND THE BRENNERO
Take the A22 Brenner motorway, exit Trento Nord coming from the South. Exit S. Michele all’Adige if coming from the North. Then continue in direction of Cles, Val di Non, Val di Sole until Val di Rabbi.
FROM BERGAMO-BRESCIA
Proceed along the SS42 towards Passo Tonale, then follow signs for Malè and Val di Rabbi.
Cross the entire Val di Rabbi. Just before Bagni di Rabbi, turn right following signs for Piazzola, from where you ascend to the hamlet of Cavallar until reaching the parking lot. In summer, from here a Park shuttle bus runs up to Malga Samocleva. For information on costs and timetables, contact the Rabbi Visitor Center of the Stelvio National Park (Tel. 0463 909774 - cvrabbi@stelviopark.it).
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