Self-guided trek between mountain dairies, huts and agritourisms in Stelvio National Park

Hiking in the Stelvio National Park: self-guided trek among alpine dairies, mountain huts and agitourisms

A hiking tour in the heart of Stelvio National Park, where you can appreciate the harmonious fusion between nature and alpine traditions.

The tour is set along many very different environments and every day is exciting with completely new scenarios. From the green meadows of the alpine pastures to the bare rocks that guard the high-altitude huts, the tour is well signed and will show you step by step many different styles of mountain hospitality.

During the hiking tour, you will indeed have the opportunity to stay at two mountain dairies in a private room with en-suite bathroom, two mountain huts and a third "malga" where a agritourism is now housed. In this itinerary you will be able to touch all the facets of alpine hospitality and the traditions of pasture and mountaineering which have contributed to the preservation of the mountain for centuries.

But it doesn't end there! Crossing two mountain passes, the tour will take you to discover two different mountain groups and valleys: Ortler Cevedale and Maddalene, Val di Rabbi and Val di Non.

A trek which combines the knowledge of the peasant world, traditional Trentino hospitality and good Alpine cuisine with the scents and sounds of nature within the largest protected territory of the Alps.

What if you have less days at your disposal? No problem! Our hiking tour among alpine dairies, huts and farmhouses can be adjusted and it is available in four and five hiking days' solutions.

Find out more about our variants of the Self-Guided trek in Stelvio National Park!

Program details - 8 days:

• Day 1
  Arrival in Val di Sole and check-in in 3* hotel. 
   
• Day 2 - VAL MALEDA
  Ascent: +1065m. Descent: -225m. Distance: 7,8km. Hiking time: 4h45 (alternatively a less scenic but shorter itinerary is available. Ascent 875m. Distance 6,5km. Hiking time 3h45)
  Once reached Val di Rabbi, the itinerary begins on a forest road which soon leads to the Tibetan bridge: an amusing 100-meter passage suspended above the waterfalls of Rio Ragaiolo. Arrived on the opposite side, the trail goes on surrounded by forest until the first mountain dairy, ideal spot for a refreshing break cheered by the sound of cowbells grazing in the pasture – and if you have managed to wake up early you could still be in time to witness the milking process! After a good recharge, walk between beautiful meadows to the old Malga Fratte Alta, enjoying long views over the valley and the snowy peaks of Sternai. After crossing a bridge to reach the opposite side of the valley, less than 2km are left to reach the alpine dairy. Dinner and overnight stay in mountain dairy (2.060 m).
   
• Day 3 - VAL SAENT
  Ascent: +400m. Descent: -30m. Distance: 8km. Hiking time: 4h
  After a full breakfast with local products, it is time to head to the next alpine hut. With a gradual ascent the trail skirts the coast of the mountain overlooking Val Saent and passing through vast grassy slopes and clear waterways it reaches a wide hollows at the foot of Ortler Cevedale. Dinner and overnight stay in hut (2.436 m).
   
• Day 4 - COLLECCHIO PEAK AND CORVO LAKES
  Ascent: +530m. Descent: -530m. Distance: 8km. Hiking time: 4h
  Today’s hike initially develops with easy slopes between small streams and green meadows. Continuing you can enjoy new fantastic views of the magical Val Saent and in particular of Prà Saent. Gradually the climb becomes more demanding until you reach Giogo Nero first and then Collecchio Peak, with even more suggestive high-altitude panoramas. The vegetation gives way to the bare rock of Ortler-Cevedale and from Collecchio Peak you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Val d'Ultimo (South Tyrol). From here you continue hiking downhill to the suggestive Corvo Lakes, which you will first appreciate from above for then getting closer and closer until you reach them, so as to appreciate their beauty from a thousand angles. Dinner and overnight stay in hut (2.435 m).
   
• Day 5 - PALÙ PASS
  Ascent: +200m. Descent: -820m. Distance: 7km. Hiking time: 3h30
  Today’s hike is the gentler of the tour. You will have the possibility to walk among vast green meadows on a trail without big ascent or descents. You will enjoy new panoramas until you reach the Palù Pass, entering this way in Val di Non for the first time during your tour. From here the descent begins to your second night in a mountain dairy! Dinner and overnight stay in agritourism (2.084 m).
   
• Day 6 - DELL'OM PASS
  Ascent: +510m. Descent: -690m. Distance: 9km. Hiking time: 4h
  Today's hike is varied, with gentle changes in altitude and different views from hour to hour. The hike starts towards Malga Preghena di Sotto and you walk on a path without important elevation changes. You can enjoy the freshness of the woods and the sun of the meadows until the start of the climb towards the Lainert pass. Here there are vast expanses of blueberries and during the route you can enjoy the view of Lake Santa Giustina and the Alta Val di Non. When you reach Passo dell'Om, the highest point of today's excursion at 2.331 m, the breathtaking view of the Dolomites and the Adamello mountain ranges will amaze you, representing one of the most beautiful experiences of the entire tour. From here a quick descent leads first to Malga Cortinga and finally to the last alpine dairy of the tour. Dinner and overnight stay in mountain dairy (2.059 m).
   
• Day 7 - VIA DELLE MALGHE
  Ascent: +290m. Descent: -1100m. Distance: 7km. Hiking time: 4h
  It's time to go back to the valley! The descent is gentle and it leads to a beautiful point from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lower Val di Rabbi. Following the signs towards Via delle Malghe you first reach Malga Mandrie and then Malga Zoccolo di Sotto. Here the descent becomes steeper and you descend back to valley. You pass through the picturesque village of Ceresè, characterized by typical alpine architecture and the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Last short stretch on paved road until you reach the town of San Bernardo. Return to the hotel by public transportation.
   
• Day 8
  Departure.

What if you have less days at your disposal? Discover our variants of the Self-Guided hike among alpine dairies, huts and agritourisms in the Stelvio National Park:

Program details - 6 days:

• Day 1
  Arrival in Val di Sole and check-in in 3* hotel. 
   
• Day 2 - LAKES CORVO
  Ascent: +1020m. Descent: -0m. Distance: 5km. Hiking time: 4h 
  Transfer by public transport to Val di Rabbi. Across forests of larches and firs, the trail leads you to some alpine huts, where the farmers milk their cattles and produce Casolet, the local cheese. Above the tree-line, you keep walking across wide mountain grasslands and, through a steadily uphill trail, you reach the slopes of Quaira peak. Dinner and overnight stay in hut (2.435 m). 
   
• Day 3 - PALÙ PASS
  Ascent: +200m. Descent: -820m. Distance: 7km. Hiking time: 3h30
  Today’s hike is the easier of the tour. You will have the possibility to walk among vast green meadows on a trail without big ascent or descents. You will enjoy new panoramas until you reach the Palù Pass, entering this way in Val di Non for the first time during your tour. From here the descent begins to your first night in a mountain dairy! Dinner and overnight stay in agritourism (2.084 m).
   
• Day 4 - DELL'OM PASS
  Ascent: +510m. Descent: -690m. Distance: 9km. Hiking time: 4h
  Today's hike is varied, with gentle changes in altitude and different views from hour to hour. The hike starts towards Malga Preghena di Sotto and you walk on a path without important elevation changes. You can enjoy the freshness of the woods and the sun of the meadows until the start of the climb towards the Lainert pass. Here there are vast expanses of blueberries and during the route you can enjoy the view of Lake Santa Giustina and the Alta Val di Non. When you reach Passo dell'Om, the highest point of today's excursion at 2.331 m, the breathtaking view of the Dolomites and the Adamello mountain ranges will amaze you, representing one of the most beautiful experiences of the entire tour. From here a quick descent leads first to Malga Cortinga and finally to the last alpine dairy of the tour. Dinner and overnight stay in mountain dairy (2.059 m).
   
• Day 5 - VIA DELLE MALGHE
  Ascent: +290m. Descent: -1100m. Distance: 7km. Hiking time: 4h
  It's time to go back to the valley! The descent is gentle and leads to a beautiful point from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the lower Val di Rabbi. Following the signs for the Via delle Malghe you first reach Malga Mandrie and then Malga Zoccolo di Sotto. Here the descent becomes steeper and you walk back to valley. You pass through the picturesque village of Ceresè, characterized by typical alpine architecture and the harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
  Last short stretch on paved road until you reach the town of San Bernardo. Return to the hotel by public transportation.
   
• Day 6
  Departure.

Program details - 7 days:

• Day 1
  Arrival in Val di Sole and check-in in 3* hotel. 
   
• Day 2 - VAL SAENT
  Ascent: +1060m. Descent: -0m. Distance: 7,5km. Hiking time: 4h30
  Transfer by public transport to Val di Rabbi. Shortly after the car park, follow the trail towards the Saent waterfalls. This route passes between bridges and refreshing water, at the foot of the famous waterfalls.
  You continue on the trail that goes up to the Doss de la Cros rest area accessing to the open meadows of Pra di Saent. The steepest part of the today's hike begins from the characteristic Malga Pra di Saent building, initially in the woods and secondly above the vegetation limit.
  The path then becomes gentler and continues along the Rabbies stream up to the hut, known as the gateway to the higher areas of the Ortler Cevedale mountain area. Dinner and overnight stay in hut (2.465 m).
   
• Day 3 - COLLECCHIO PEAK AND CORVO LAKES
  Ascent: +530m. Descent: -530m. Distance: 8km. Hiking time: 4h
  Today’s hike initially starts with easy slopes between small streams and green meadows. Continuing you can enjoy new fantastic views of the magical Val Saent and in particular of Prà Saent. Gradually the climb becomes more demanding until you reach Giogo Nero first and then Collecchio Peak, with even more suggestive high-altitude panoramas. The vegetation gives way to the bare rock of Ortler-Cevedale and from Collecchio Peak you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Val d'Ultimo (South Tyrol). From here you continue hiking downhill to the suggestive Corvo Lakes, which you will first appreciate from above for then getting closer and closer until you reach them, so as to appreciate their beauty from a thousand angles. Dinner and overnight stay in hut (2.435 m).

Days 4, 5, 6 and 7 correspond with days 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the 6-day program.

Additional clarifications

The program could be changed at discretion of the Campo Base Team based on weather conditions and forecasts, mantaining however inalterate the basic structure and the aims of the proposal.

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