Walk to lakelet Vedes

The Tour

This route, which runs entirely through woods of conifers interspersed by clearings occupied by various mountain huts, is especially interesting from a naturalistic perspective.

easy

16.7 km

5:30 h

942 m

It takes you inside the Monte Corno/Hornspitz nature park (in South Tyrol) and past the peatbog called 'Laghetto del Vedes', which has its own microclimate and is rich in biodiversity.

Details

Difficulty

easy

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

1526 m

Lowest point

937 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Safety information

Prepare your itinerary beforehand
Choose an itinerary that suits your physical abilities
Choose suitable clothes and equipment
Check the weather forecast
Hiking by yourself is more risky; if this is the case, take a mobile phone with you
Leave information about your itinerary and your expected return time
If you are not sure about your itinerary, contact an Alpine Guide
Pay attention to signposts and directions that you find along your way
Do not hesitate in going back if you feel too tired
In case of emergency call 112

Please note that the practicability of the itineraries in a mountain environment is strictly linked to the contingent conditions and is therefore influenced by natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this page may have changed. Before leaving for a tour, make sure the path you will approach is still accessible by contacting the owner of the mountain hut, the alpine guides or the visitor centres of the nature parks, the info offices of the local tourist board.

Equipment

Even on relatively short easy outings make sure to take all you need so you don't run into trouble if things take an unexpected turn, for example a storm blows up or you have a sudden drop in energy levels.

What you should have in your rucksack:

water canteen (1L)
snacks (e.g. mixed dried fruit or chocolate)
First aid kit
windproof jacket
fleece
change of t-shirt and socks (in a plastic bag)
make sure to wear or at least bring a pair of long trousers
hat
sun screen
sunglasses
gloves
whistle to attract attention in an emergency
emergency telephone number Mountain Rescue 112

Make sure you're wearing the right footwear for the trail and season. The going can get rough and rocky underfoot and a pair of hiking boots will protect you from sprains.

And finally... don't forget to bring your camera! You'll need it to capture the stunning views.

Turn-by-turn directions

The starting place is the roundabout at the access to Grauno. Follow Via Siori until you reach a fountain, then bear left up a paved road which runs into a dirt road signposted 'Sentiero dei vecchi mestieri – Mulino Cristofori' (Old Trades Path – Cristofori watermill). Follow it until its end at Mulino Cristofori. There, take the path marked 'Sentiero dei vecchi mestieri' near the stream. Where the path joins the paved road coming from Grumes lower down, head north along the latter towards Monte dell'Orso. This is the most strenuous stretch of the hike: you go constantly uphill on ancient paved roads. Always bear left ignoring all crossroads until you reach a hairpin bend from which a tractor road headed north branches off. Take that road. Bear right at the first crossroads, then left at the second ('Monte dell'Orso) and carry on until you reach Baita Motta. The road now enters the Monte Corno/Hornspitz nature park (you are now in South Tyrol). You immediately come across a sign for the E5 trail: follow it and carry on across a wood dotted with mountain huts. At the Valdonega crossroads (crucifix) bear right on the E5 trail towards the Potzmauer/Possmar pass (also called Passo della Cima) and carry on along the various branches of the E5 trail until you reach the pass. There, take the forest road to 'Lago del Vedes'. The road soon becomes a track which then runs into a dirt road as you reach the biotope. It's worth spending a few minutes having a look at this vulnerable peatbog which has been the subject of researches and studies on account of the rarity of its flora, its micro-climate and rich biodiversity. Carry on downhill along the dirt road until you reach a crossroads where there are a wayside shrine and a pond. From there, go straight ahead along the paved forest road to another biotope called 'Palude de la Lot'. At a crossroads between forest roads, bear right. After a dozen of metres or so, there is a larch on your right which is noticeable for the large amount of woodpecker's holes: this is a sign you are on the right road. There are a few mountain huts scattered around the wetland basin. This is a nice spot for a rest among cherry trees and birches. From there, carry on until you reach the road which you followed on your way up. Take it and proceed downhill until you reach the starting point.

Getting There

Getting there

By car: From south or north, on the A22 Brennero motorway, leave the motorway at the Trento Nord exit (22.5 km from the toll gate), continue northwards on the Main Brennero Road SS12 until the turn-off for Lavis, then take the Lavis - Castello di Fiemme Main Road SS612 which will take you to the Cembra Valley.