AUTUMN MAGIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

At high altitude with the lifts also in autumn

The charm of the mountain is above all to conquer that horizon and that certain panorama after even a long and demanding excursion, but this is not always possible. There are many lifts in Trentino that extend their summer opening until the end of September or the second or third week of October, to allow you to climb to high altitudes and enjoy the views of the peaks and the spectacle of the foliage from a privileged position. Information on the opening times of the lifts in autumn is available here.

"Autumn in the Dolomites" was born to let visitors experience the beautiful season in the mountains.

Between the 22 September and 7 October, seven mountain huts in Val di Fassa offer hikers the opportunity to have different, unusual experiences. The huts involved are the Contrin hut at the foot of the Marmolada, the Passo San Nicolò refuge, the Micheluzzi hut in Val Duron, the Stella Alpina Spitz Piaz refuge, the Vajolet hut, the Roda di Vael hut and the Antermoia hut in the Catinaccio group. These huts can be reached easily and comfortably on foot, but in some cases, it is also possible to use the lifts. In these huts, six activities will be offered that are aimed at those who love trekking, photography, yoga, or sensory tastings.

To participate, booking is required, which can be done online or by contacting the manager of the hut hosting the initiative directly. For example, two days dedicated to yoga are planned for 22 and 23 September, at the foot of the Catinaccio, together with Francesca Senette, a known celebrity and Lifestyle Coach who teaches Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Yoga Nidra. "Autumn Shots at Roda" is, however, the advanced photography course scheduled for 23 and 24 September at the Roda di Vaèl refuge.

There are also seven experiences to choose from, to experience autumn on the Pale di San Martino and on the Vette Feltrine.

It all begins on the 16 September with "The most popular tasting in the world", a weekend for true high-altitude gourmands, to discover the products of the Dolomites Cheese Route in the setting of the Velo della Madonna mountain hut. The following weekend September, another activity at high altitude with "Welcome to the Moon", the best way to admire sunrise and sunset whilst enjoying the warm hospitality of the Rosetta hut, in the heart of the Pale Plateau, taking advantage of the opening extended for the Colverde-Rosetta lifts until 30 September. On 30 September and 1 October, the Autumn Dolomites move to the hiking huts, at lower altitudes. For example, at the Fonteghi hut "A dive into crystalline waters and flavors of the past", where the pleasure of good food will be combined with an adrenaline-pumping canyoning in the company of the Aquile di San Martino mountain guides in the clear waters of the Neva stream in Val Noana. On 6 and 7 October you will delight in the unmissable event "Hunting for calls of love", aimed at nature lovers who in these two days will be able to admire the enrosadira on the Pale di San Martino and listen to the bellowing of the Passo Rolle deer. From there, you will indulge in the the gourmet offerings of the Capanna Cervino hiking hut. The following weekend, we move to Alpe Vederna for "Off course, detox and unprecedented panoramas", two days of excursions in nature accompanied by a workshop of herbs and mountain flowers with Elisa di Erborì at the Vederna hut.

Gourmet experiences at high altitude

In Madonna di Campiglio, in the already autumnal setting of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, at an altitude of 2,100m, cheeses (a symbol of Val Rendena), local products, local producers and mountain experts meet at the Viviani Pradalago hut to give life to two days of flavours, between tastings and stories. The initiative is called Sapori insoliti d'Autunno and is scheduled for the 7 and 14 October. The focus of the first activity is Spressa delle Giudicarie DOP cheese, with a tasting guided by an expert. Alpine Char will need be tasted next.

Hiking among the colours of autumn

The colours of autumn light up the woods of the Val di Cembra that you cross along the paths around Lake Santo di Cembra. An easy itinerary starts from here up to the Potzmauer hut, in the woods above Grumes, which can be reached after an evening trek to be concluded with a typical Trentino dinner.

The Ledro Treks are two circular routes, on the valley floor and on the mid-mountain, which embrace Lake Ledro and offer truly exciting views. Both itineraries are accessible almost all year round. Ledro Trek Low is a 19km trek to be done in the day that follows paths in the immediate vicinity of the lake offering splendid views throughout, touching the historic center of Pieve, the Madonnina di Besta, the Stilt House Museum, and the Ledro Land route Art.

In Val di Sole, the variety of colours that autumn paints on the woods can be appreciated on the ring itinerary around the Saent waterfalls in Val di Rabbi, one of the iconic places of the Stelvio National Park. From the car park in Coler, about 3km beyond the hamlet of Piazzola, you walk up to Malga Stablasolo, excellent for a snack on your way back from this excursion that touches the iconic Saent waterfalls.

Be careful in the mountains

Before leaving for an excursion at high altitude, you need to carefully plan your outing and evaluate your preparation, also considering that the days are getting shorter. If you are tackling a route classified as having a high technical difficulty or if you are a beginner, always rely on an alpine guide or mid-mountain guide. It is advisable to always contact the mountain huts in the area you want to visit to be updated on the feasibility of the route and the weather conditions, as well as wear suitable clothing for the excursion you are undertaking and the altitude, including the appropriate technical equipment if you intend to walk in the early hours of the day, when the ground on some slopes could be covered by a veil of ice. https://www.visittrentino.info/en/articles/trekking-and-hiking/caution-in-the-mountains-faqs

Find out more:
https://www.visittrentino.info/en/experience/hiking-and-trekking