TRENTINO’S ALPINE HUTS ARE READY FOR SUMMER

From the weekend of 20 June, the Trentino mountains, and in particular the Dolomites, with their network of over 5,800 kilometres of paths, come back to life with the opening of over 140 alpine mountain huts.

Everything in Trentino’s alpine huts, including the managers and their stories, is extraordinary. Each manager has infinite passion, having always lived a privileged relationship with the mountains and the territory. Managers of alpine mountain huts know how to "read" the air, the clouds, and the sky, and can even tell if there will be sun tomorrow or if the rain will arrive before noon, but also if a shoe is suitable for walking a path or if the chosen path is the best.

MEET THE YOUNGEST HUT MANAGER IN ITALY AT THE RIFUGIO "NINO PERNICI"

Valentina Santoni, 22 years old, is the new manager of the Bocca di Trat – "Nino Pernici" alpine mountain hut. Having been a Società degli Alpinisti Tridentini (SAT) member since she was a child and active in the Arco section as a youth mountain guide, she has become one of Italy's youngest mountain hut managers. The hut can be easily reached from the Val Concei, on the side of the Val di Ledro.

THE MALGA ANDALO HUT IN PAGANELLA HAS BEEN RENOVATED

Following a complete renovation, The Malga Andalo Hut in Paganelle will reopen this summer. The Malga is located at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites and can be reached via the forest road from Lake Molveno or at the end of the more classic route, "Giro dei Rifugio del Brenta", above Molveno. The renovation, which lasted three years, has maintained the characteristics of the original structure, using typical elements such as wood and exposed stone. The historic sign and a crucifix that recalls the old facade of the Malga have been preserved. The managers, three young brothers passionate about the mountains, also own a historic ski rental in Andalo, a few steps from the gondola lift.

NEW ALPINE HUT: RIFUGIO DON ZIO PISONI IN VALLE DEI LAGHI

Don Zio Pisoni SAT hut, a few minutes from the summit of Monte Casale, will reopen with the new qualification of Alpine Refuge and with continued management. Monte Casale is the most dramatic peak in the Valle dei Laghi. Located in an area of meadows preceding the summit, visitors of the mountain hut can admire nature’s spectacle: panoramas, flowers, grasslands and, below, the valley with its villages and countryside. Continue through the meadows, and in about 15 minutes, you will reach the top of Monte Casale.

NEW SPIRITUAL TRAILS TO DISCOVER RURAL LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS

Cammino di San Rocco in Vallagarina

The Cammino di San Rocco is a journey across lower Trentino that unites the various capitals in the Municipalities of Mori, Ronzo-Chienis and Brentonico, dedicated to the protector during the pandemic and to all the volunteers and pilgrims. It develops between the Val di Gresta and the Brentonico plateau, territories of the Vallagarina dedicated to the care of the landscape, to sustainable agriculture, and where history, culture, and nature intertwine along ancient paths and small and welcoming inhabited centres. Born from the idea of two locals, the path is a community project developed together with the SAT of Mori. It is an itinerary that can be travelled all year round in complete safety and is a mixed route with sections of the path, dirt road and asphalt. It has a total length of 70 km divided into five stages, with departure and arrival in Mori. www.camminosanrocco.it

The Via Romea Germanica, recognised as a "European cultural route" by the Council of Europe, was born from the desire in various countries to revive the route that 1200 Abbot Alberto Di Stade described in his pilgrim travel diary. It, therefore, has a solid historical basis and retraces the places he mentioned. Today it is a perfectly signposted path, which can be covered in its entirety (2200 kilometres) in several stages. The Via Romea Germanica enters Italy from the Brenner Pass, crosses Alto Adige-Südtirol and reaches Trento. From here, it heads towards the Valsugana, through its numerous villages, and continuing up to Bassano del Grappa and Padua. http://www.viaromeagermanica.com/

FIVE ICONIC HIKING TOURS

1) Alta Via del granito

The Alta Via del Granito is a 3-day ring traverse on the singular granite island of the Cima d'Asta, which includes spectacular natural landscapes, memories of the Great War, alpine huts and pastures. The route ventures along a network of ancient paths and former military roads, dating back to the First World War, connecting the only two huts of the group: Cima d'Asta "Ottone Brentari", the arrival point of the first stage and Caldenave, which concludes the second. The length of the itinerary is about 28 km, with a total height difference of almost 2,030 meters. The paths are easy to follow (difficulty EE) but are not to be underestimated for the physical effort. This trek begins and ends in Val Malene, at Malga Sorgazza, on the Tesino plateau. You can also add a stage, touching the Malga Conseria hut and thus completing the group visit. www.altaviadelgranito.com

2) Trek-King

The Dolomiti Trek-King is a fascinating 6-stage trek on the paths of the Val di Fassa, from hut to hut, following highly evocative itineraries for the alpine environment crossed by the stages. The itinerary takes place along well-signposted CAI-SAT paths, and from any point, it is possible to descend to the valley to return to the starting point easily. The Dolomiti Trek King owes its name to King Laurin, the legendary protagonist of numerous fairy tales set in the mountains, known for their evocative colours and stupendous panoramas. Walking in these mountains has long been thought to trigger visions and sounds of times long forgotten, which must be experienced to be believed. The more classic route initially develops around the Marmolada, then passes through the Passo Sella area and finally into the Catinaccio group, which is covered entirely from north to south in the last two stages.

3) Palaronda Trek

The Pale di San Martino Plateau is a mysterious stone plateau suspended over 2,500 meters above sea level. Fifty square kilometres of bare rock tormented like the stormy ocean are known to have inspired the famous Italian writer Dino Buzzati with the image of the fortress in his masterpiece "Desert of the Tartars".

The PalaRonda Trek tours are based on a four- to six-day circuit on well-marked trails, with an overnight stay in the welcoming huts at the foot of the Dolomite peaks. The courses are tackled independently, and it is essential to be adequately equipped and trained since some proposals include the spectacular Via Ferratas of the Pale and Velo, Portòn, and Nico Gusella. The basic route of the Palaronda Trek can be covered in four days, touching the Rosetta, Treviso and Pradidali huts. The Palaronda Ferrata Quick Tour, on the other hand, covers three days and includes the via ferratas in the northern sector, Farangole and Bolver Lugli on Cimòn della Pala, staying overnight at the Rosetta and Mulaz huts, or in the southern sector with the via ferratas del velo and Portòn, staying overnight at Velo della Madonna hut and Pradidali. The Palaronda Ferrata 360 Tour is the most complete, exciting, and fun experience for discovering the Pale di San Martino massif by following its network of via ferratas and paths from North to South in 8 walking days and staying one or more nights in all huts of the Pale. www.sanmartino.com/EN/palarondatrek/

4) La Via delle Normali

The "La Via delle Normali" offers a mixed itinerary of climbing and trekking in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites. The route is in six stages and connects ten peaks, following the regular routes first travelled by the pioneers of Dolomite mountaineering. "The Via delle Normali" follows through the classic routes, recently re-equipped and made safe by the Alpine Guides of Trentino, and the most suggestive peaks of the Brenta Group, such as Cima Tosa, Cima Brenta, Cima Falkner, Cima d'Ambiez and the Campanile High. Of the ten peaks that make up "La Via", five reach 3,000 m and five rise above 2,900 m, while the maximum climbing difficulty does not exceed grade III+. You can stay overnight along the traverse in eight alpine huts, plus the Castiglioni bivouac on the Cima del Crozzon di Brenta. At the last stage of the traverse, more than 45 kilometres will be covered between bell towers and walls, canals and vents, of which 15 km is climbing alone. It will be 60 hours of "lived mountains", seven days of adventure and a complete mountaineering experience in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites, a Unesco World Heritage Site. For every stage, the gpx tracks were recorded, with distances and heights measured, and the length of the rappelled or lowered ropes and all the protections on site were reported in detail. The peaks can be reached independently or accompanied by local alpine guides; the adventure can be adjusted according to the days available and to all abilities.

5) Park 2 Trek

Alongside the Palaronda Trek, the Pale di San Martino offers another unforgettable alpine experience. The Park 2 Trek crosses two mountain ranges, two regions, and two natural parks covering various environments across both World Heritage Sites, united by the continuous line of the Alta Via. The Alta Via connects the Belluno Dolomites National Park and the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park, where biodiversity is at its best. The richness and rarity of the flora make the former a botanical jewel. At the same time, the latter enhances the beauties geological and forestry. Added to all this is the magic of the evening atmosphere in the alpine huts, full of stories to listen to and experiences to share.

Further info: https://www.visittrentino.info/en/guide/summer-sports/hiking#cat=Mountain%20tour&filter=r-fullyTranslatedLangus-en,r-onlyOpened-,sb-sortedBy-0&ov=alerts,hiking