Maderlina Path
Hiking trail • Altopiano di Pine' and Valle di Cembra
Maderlina Path
This is a very enjoyable ring route involving only moderate differences in height.
The route follows mainly paved or dirt roads across woods of deciduous trees and past a number of naturalistic sites. Here are some of its highlights: the remains of an ancient limekiln; typical wayside mountain huts built in porphyry stones and wood; a panoramic spot with a good view of the Brenta Dolomites; a small church dedicated to Saint Leonard.
Maderlina Path

Azienda per il Turismo Altopiano di Piné e Valle di Cembra S.Cons.r.l Verified partner
This is a very enjoyable ring route involving only moderate differences in height.
The route follows mainly paved or dirt roads across woods of deciduous trees and past a number of naturalistic sites. Here are some of its highlights: the remains of an ancient limekiln; typical wayside mountain huts built in porphyry stones and wood; a panoramic spot with a good view of the Brenta Dolomites; a small church dedicated to Saint Leonard.
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
From the car park near the church of Lisignago, cross the main road and climb briefly along a road signposted 'SAT 416'. Turn left onto a tarmac road signposted for 'Capanna Maderlina'. You then walk along a paved section, then along another stretch paved with porphyry slabs. When you reach a stream ('Rio Gian'), we recommend you make a short detour to the left (i.e. westwards) to see the remains of an ancient stone limekiln. A few metres beyond the crossroads to the limekiln, take an uphill mule path on the right signposted for 'Capanna Maderlina–Lago Santo'). After a few minutes, the path joins a paved forest road. Follow it and carry on until you reach the tarmac road to the mountain hut. On your way there, stop for a moment to take in the view across the surrounding wetland area and the Brenta Dolomites in the distance. Shortly before the mountain hut, turn right onto a beaten-earth road (Pernaia forest road). At a place called 'Palù Poz', ignore a branch for 'Lago Santo' and carry on instead towards Pernaia – Lisignago on road No. 416, which is characterized by the presence of many clearings and wayside mountain huts built out of porphyry and wood. At the top of the hill, more precisely where the road begins to dive, take a (signposted) tractor road on the left. When you reach a large clearing with a mountain hut, cross the gate and follow a path across a wood of beeches and Austrian pines until you reach 'Piz delle Agole', a panoramic spot surrounded by Scot pines with a view of Valle di Cembra and the western edge of the Lagorai range. From there, take a mule path until it rejoins the forest road you followed earlier; at the first bend to the right, take a tractor road that soon becomes a mule track and intersects the forest road further down. It's now only a short walk back to the village and the starting place. From the car park at Lisignago, you can make the hike slightly longer by walking down the tarmac road to the ancient small church of San Leonardo, which stands on an overhang above the Avisio River. Note the nice 19th-century porch and the small church tower with its flat belfry. The belfry contains a bell which was cast in 2002 and decorated by artist Marco Arman. Inside the church, there is a valuable cycle of frescoes dating from the second half of the 15th century, attributed to an itinerant painter from Val di Fiemme.
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.
Parking
Car park under the church of Lisignago.
Statistics
m
m