Numerous glacial lakes reflect the mighty peaks of the surrounding Adamello Group - this moderately difficult hiking tour starts at the Bedole mountain hut at 1,584 m asl and leads us to the Città di Trento al Mandrone mountain hut at 2,449 m asl
Image gallery: Hike to the glacial lakes of Mt Mandrone
The Adamello is the largest glacier of Italy and is located at the border of the Trentino and the Lombardy. In order to watch it at close proximity, we do this excursion in the back Val Genova valley. Starting point is the parking space at the Malga Bedole hut at the head of the valley, where the asphalt road ends. In high season, the access until here by your own car is restricted, then a shuttle bus is available.
We start our walk along the forest path into the valley, past alpine meadows until the romantic Rifugio Bedole mountain hut (rest point). There the hiking path no. 212 branches off. A quite steep ascent follows, after about one hour we reach the timber line. A splendid view on the Adamello Glaciers and the roaring waterfalls awaits us. The path also proceeds past the glacier observation point of the Alpine Association. The small building houses numerous information boards and pictures about the glaciers and the tonalite, a granitic rock which is distinctive of this region.
Also impressive is the speciose flora: several species of orchids, the yellow and the spotted gentian as well as the martagon lily can be found here. Now it’s not far until our destination anymore, the Mandronhaus mountain hut (built in 1878 as “Leipziger Hütte”), where we enjoy a deserved break. After our pause we continue slightly downhill to the countless small lakes and ponds which have been formed by the glacier water of the Presena. Behind, the big Lake Mandron is situated like a turquoise eye in the rocky landscape. For our way back we take the same route.
- In high season the access of the parking space at the Malga Bedole (starting point) by own car is restricted, but there are shuttle buses, which take you from Ponte Verde at the entrance of the valley to the Malga Bedole mountain hut. Further information at the Adamello Brenta Nature Park (phone: +39 0465 806666).
Author: AT
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- Starting point:
- parking space at the Malga Bedole in the Val di Genova valley (subject to a fee)
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- Time required:
- 04:50 h
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- Track length:
- 11,6 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.584 m to 2.431 m
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- Altitude difference:
- +912 m | -912 m
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- Signposts:
- 212, 236
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- Destination:
- Rifugio Città di Trento al Mandron mountain hut, glacier lakes
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- Resting points:
- Rifugio Adamello, Rifugio Mandrone (mountain hut)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike to the glacial lakes of Mt Mandrone
If you want to do this hike, we suggest you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
