Rifugio Denza - Lake Presanella

The Tour

Hike to the Denza Hut & Lake

open

moderate

7.5 km

3:30 h

435 m

This route unwinds in a majestic, high mountain environment. The sinuous north wall of Cima Presanella looms over hikers throughout the ascent from a height of 3558 m.

It is certainly a route that remains impressed in one's memory for the majesty of the place, featuring glaciers, snow-covered gullies, screes and small alpine lakes.

Author

visit trentino

Updated: September 09, 2019

Details

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

2321 m

Lowest point

1859 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Safety information

1) Prepare your itinerary

2) Choose a route that is suitable for your skill level

3) Choose suitable equipment and gear

4) Consult the snow/weather bulletins

5) Heading out on your own is more risky

6) Leave information on your itinerary and on the approximate time you expect to return

7) Do not hesitate to seek the support of a professional

8) Pay attention to the information and signs that you find along the trail

9) Do not hesitate to follow your steps backwards

10) In case of an accident, sound the alarm by calling the emergency number 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.

Turn-by-turn directions

Start

Former Forte Pozzi Alti (1870 m)

Coordinates:

Geographic

46.262850, 10.646278

UTM

32T 626869 5124569

Destination

Former Forte Pozzi Alti

Turn-by-turn directions

Starting from the car park, go down to the last hairpin bend you covered by car.

From here - signs and two war stations - leave the road and start walking on the north slopes of Croz di Stavel along a trail carved in the rock.

This section of the path has an almost flat slope but shows exposed parts that can cause difficulties to the less experienced, however well equipped.

A tunnel with steel cable welcomes hikers and, together with the later crossing of a torrent under wooden boards, makes this part of the trail quite interesting and varied.

Trail No. 233 leads into Val Presanella, where it meets trail No. 206 coming up from Val Stavel (1939 m).

T he greatest difference in height along the route is b etween this point and Rifugio Denza.

Continue on trail No. 206. The path begins to climb with a few hairpin bends and long straight stretches that allow to gain altitude without too much pain. Characteristic of this section of the route is the path surface, made out of countless rocks to form a nice granite bed.

After a first climb, the trail moves to the eastern side of Croz di Stavel and, remaining high onto the valley floor, heads south without being too steep.

The final stretch, steeper and with narrow hairpins, heralds the arrival at Rifugio Stavel – Francesco Denza, located at 2293 m.

Move to the south side of the mountain hut, turn right at the sign and in five minutes you will reach a small gorge leading to a basin, home to the small but charming Lake Presanella (2314 m).

The return is back along the uphill route.

Getting There

Getting there

Between Chalet al Foss and former Forte Strino, on the national road climbing from Vermiglio to Passo del Tonale, is a crossroads that allows to descend in the direction of Velon and Baita Velon.

100-150 m after Baita Velon, as you go down, you will see on the right the start of a dirt road going up to former Forte Pozzi Alti. Leave the tarmac road and, turning right, take the dirt road. SAT signs and Rifugio Denza sign.

The road climbs up narrow, with numerous hairpin bends, to 1879 m altitude where you find a car park near the former Forte Pozzi Alti.

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

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