Between Madonna di Campiglio and Val di Sole, in western Trentino, Lago delle Malghette lies at approximately 1890 meters above sea level, in a basin of the Presanella mountain range. Below its shores lies the Val Meledrio, the wooded valley that descends toward Dimaro, while from the opposite shore, the view reaches the walls of the Brenta Dolomites. It is this encounter between water, forest, and very different mountains that gives the landscape its most recognizable appearance.
For those spending a holiday in Madonna di Campiglio or Val di Sole , there's no single way to get there. You can take the cable car up to Pradalago and then walk back down, depart from the nearby Campo Carlo Magno pass, or reach the lake from the Malga Dimaro side. Choosing your starting point will affect the gradient, duration, and organization of the return journey , so it's helpful to understand the differences before deciding.
The hike doesn't simply end at a body of water: there's a refuge on the shore, the trail offers views of the lake from different perspectives, and for those who wish to continue, trails leading to other small lakes in the Presanella depart from the basin. You can therefore dedicate a leisurely half-day to the Malghette or include them in a longer hike, leaving time to stop by the water's edge.
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Malghette Lake is a natural dam and is one of the largest lakes in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park. It receives water from higher-lying basins, including the Tre Laghi, Lake Artuich, and Lago Scuro delle Malghette. The basin is the source of the stream that forms the Meledrio torrent , the watercourse that flows through the Meledrio Valley and reaches Dimaro and the Noce River in the Val di Sole valley.
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Looking toward the slopes of Presanella, Monte Nambino, Cima Lasté, and Cima Artuich stand out, while on the eastern side, the Brenta Dolomites appear , lighter and more jagged. When the wind dies down, the peaks and forest are reflected in the lake; when the sky is overcast, however, the dark green of the conifers and the deep color of the water prevail. Larch and fir trees grow very close to the shores, maintaining the basin's landscape.
Overlooking the shore with a terrace perched above the water, the Lago Malghette Refuge dates back to the early 20th century and has become one of the area's most recognizable landmarks. After the trail, you can stop for lunch, and there are a limited number of beds available. The service is seasonal, and the manager will confirm opening dates, food, and overnight availability directly.
The Pradalago cable car departs from Madonna di Campiglio and reaches the scenic area of the same name, above 2000 meters above sea level. Upon arrival, you'll find the small Pradalago Lake and the Viviani Refuge, overlooking the western slopes of the Brenta Dolomites. From here, take trail 265 to Lago delle Malghette.
The trail leaves the open pastures, crosses a strip of mountain pines and larch trees, and descends towards the basin. The official walk from Pradalago to the lake takes about 45-60 minutes . However, the descent on the way out becomes an ascent on the way back: those intending to take the same cable car should conserve energy and arrive at the station before the last ride. The surface can be uneven and, after rain, muddy or slippery, so hiking boots with good soles are recommended.
Opening hours, last departures, and fares change throughout the season and are published on the official Madonna di Campiglio ski lift pages. On the crossing to Campo Carlo Magno, the cable car is only used to ascend to Pradalago; returning to the same station, however, requires the walk back up from the lake and the time to catch the lift before closing time.
The complete crossing from Pradalago to Campo Carlo Magno passes by Lago delle Malghette and Malga Zeledria, a mountain hut with refreshments in the meadows above the pass. It's 9,1 km long and takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes, according to the official operator's information sheet. It avoids repeating the same trail, but ends on the pass road; therefore, the connection back to Madonna di Campiglio must be arranged before departure.
Campo Carlo Magno is the road pass just north of Madonna di Campiglio, along the road that continues towards Dimaro and Val di Sole. From the pass, you enter the woods of Val Meledrio and can climb to the lake without using the lifts, following the paths that pass through the Palù della Fava area, a wetland among the trees, and Malga Vigo, an alpine pasture located just below the basin.
From the meadows above the pass, at 1767m above sea level, Malga Zeledria offers one of the clearest accesses: it can be reached along a secondary road and from the parking lot you first follow the forest road towards Pradalago, then turn towards Palù della Fava and continue on path 201. After passing Malga Vigo, the last stretch to the refuge takes about fifteen minutes.
Depending on where you start walking, it takes about an hour or an hour and a half to reach the lake from Campo Carlo Magno or Malga Zeledria . The official route map from Malga Zeledria allows you to check the route before setting off; road access, parking availability, and trail conditions may vary during the summer.
The forest makes this route more shaded than the Pradalago pastures, but the terrain is full of roots, rocks, steps, and wet spots. Returning along the same route isn't dependent on the cable car schedule, and you can extend your stop on the shore, as long as you allow for the descent.
On the Val di Sole side, Malga Dimaro is located at 1647 meters above sea level in the woods above Folgarida, the tourist resort overlooking the Dimaro valley. The mountain hut can be reached from the road connecting Folgarida to Campo Carlo Magno and has a nearby parking lot. However, since it is a secondary mountain road, it is advisable to check for any restrictions or seasonal changes.
The official trail description from Malga Dimaro describes a 7,5 km route, taking approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, with 301 m of ascent and 243 m of descent . Trail 265 enters the forest, passes through the Malga Vigo area, and reaches the refuge; the return journey completes the loop on the other side of the lake. The source classifies it as easy, but specifies that strollers are not suitable and recommends hiking boots for the terrain, which can be rough, uneven, or wet.
The hike continues through the trees for a long time, allowing the Brenta Dolomites to gradually emerge, unlike the more open approach from Pradalago. Before or after the hike, you can stop at Malga Dimaro, where during the season you can meet the mountain animals and make cheeses that can be purchased directly when the facility is open.
Once you reach the shore, it's worth continuing along the lakeside trail, about 1,3 km long, which alternates between stretches close to the water and sections on uneven terrain . From the refuge side, the view immediately encompasses the basin; entering the trees, however, the water appears between the trunks and the refuge lies on the opposite side, with the Brenta Dolomites behind it.
Where the trail diverges from the shore, you'll be walking on rocks and uneven ground, so suitable footwear is required, and the trail is not suitable for strollers . Among the trees are quieter spots than the area immediately in front of the refuge.
On the banks, you can stop for a picnic lunch, read, or wait for the wind to die down and the reflections to return. During the midday hours of July and August, the refuge area can be crowded; arriving in the morning or lingering while hikers begin their return, the sounds of the forest and the water once again take over.
For a family, choosing the right route is more important than a general difficulty rating. The official information sheet from Malga Zeledria recommends the route for children aged eight and up, while the arrival point from Pradalago is also suitable for children who are already confident hikers. In this latter case, it's important to remember that the descent to the lake becomes a climb when returning to the lift.
A good alternative is to start from Pradalago and descend to Campo Carlo Magno via the lake and Malga Zeledria, provided you've already arranged the final connection. Climbing from the pass and returning along the same trail eliminates the last ride constraint and allows you to decide on the spot how long to stay.
None of the access routes described, nor the entire tour of the banks, are suitable for strollers. Roots, mud, rocks, walkways, and gradients vary along the route. Even in summer, it's a good idea to bring shoes with treaded soles, a warm layer, and a waterproof mountain jacket, because the basin is located at nearly 1900 meters above sea level, and a storm can quickly make the trails cold and slippery.
On the Val di Sole side, there's also the Shepherds' Path, so named because it follows a path used to lead livestock from the mountain pastures to water. The indicated starting point is at Malga Panciana, above the Marilleva 1400 area, and can be reached by the Copai-Panciana cable car. A second access point begins at Alpe Daolasa, the high-altitude area reached by the cable car from Commezzadura, a village on the Val di Sole valley floor.
The official Shepherd's Path trail description indicates a 4,6 km loop, approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes long, with 173 m of ascent and 161 m of descent . The trail passes through meadows and fir and larch forests, using several footbridges to cross the small streams that flow from Monte Vigo, the mountain rising on the northern side of the lake. This trail is also not suitable for strollers.
From Alpe Daolasa, a section has also been designed for visually impaired visitors, where the scents, sounds, and characteristics of the forest become part of the experience. This information refers to that specific access point and does not certify the accessibility of the entire loop; the Val di Sole Tourist Board can provide information on the affected section and the facilities needed to reach it.
Above Lago delle Malghette lies a higher section of the Presanella, where the forest gives way to rocky basins and small pools. The name Tre Laghi (Three Lakes) refers to a group of three bodies of water; in the same area are also Lago Alto, Lago Scuro delle Malghette, and Lago Artuich, whose waters contribute to the main lake.
The trails that ascend from the shore to these lakes are a different type of excursion than simply visiting the refuge. They increase the time spent at altitude and require updated maps, suitable equipment, and weather conditions. The complete itinerary and return route should be prepared from an official hiking guide, not decided solely by following the signs found at the lake.
Another direction leads to the Rifugio Orso Bruno, a high-altitude refuge on the slopes of Monte Vigo, near the ski lifts connecting Folgarida, Marilleva, and Pradalago. This continuation is also a separate hiking itinerary: the refuge's opening hours, route, and return route must be checked before departure.
To fish in the waters of Lake Malghette, managed by the Solandri Sports Fishermen's Association, you need a license or qualification and a valid permit , in addition to compliance with the current regulations, which establish the periods, permitted areas, techniques and permitted baits.
The official fishing portal in Val di Sole publishes the season's regulations, which should be consulted before bringing your gear. On-site signs delimit the areas where fishing is permitted, and the path must remain clear.
Madonna di Campiglio can be reached by public transport via buses that run through Val Rendena and Val di Sole. Those who choose Pradalago can get off in town and walk to the cable car station; to depart from Campo Carlo Magno, however, look for a bus that stops at the pass and also check the return connection.
The Val di Sole side offers a second option: the Trento-Malé train line stops in Daolasa, in the municipality of Commezzadura, next to the Daolasa-Val Mastellina cable car. For the Shepherd's Path, you can also take the bus to Marilleva 1400 and then the Copai-Panciana cable car. If you're returning from a different location, you'll need an available connection between the lifts, bus, and train.
By car, Campo Carlo Magno can be reached along the road between Dimaro and Madonna di Campiglio. From the pass, continue only along the permitted access routes to the starting points; parking and secondary roads may be regulated during the season. Leaving your car at the pass allows you to walk up and down, while from Madonna di Campiglio, the Pradalago cable car is easier to use.
From June to September, the lake is reached more regularly, and in midsummer, the refuge and facilities generally offer the most regular services. At the beginning of the season, the ground can still be very wet, and residual snow may remain in the higher areas; July and August are the busiest months, while September brings cooler days and the first changes in color in the larches.
Fog, thunderstorms, recent rain, and wind can affect both visibility and grip, and can also affect the operation of cable cars. For itineraries that end far from the starting point, weather, lift schedules, and return connections must be compatible.
During the winter, the basin may be snow-covered and the lake frozen, and the summer routes described are not a sufficient guideline for snow. For snowshoeing or winter itineraries, officially marked routes, snow information, and appropriate expertise are required; the frozen surface of the lake should not be crossed without specific signs.
From the top of the Pradalago cable car, you can see Madonna di Campiglio from above and already walk along the Presanella slope. Campo Carlo Magno, on the other hand, marks the transition between Val Rendena, where Madonna di Campiglio is located, and Val di Sole, the valley crossed by the Noce River, and allows you to enter the woods of Val Meledrio.
Those wishing to visit another nearby body of water can head to Lake Nambino , nestled in a different basin of the Presanella and also featuring a refuge on its shore. On the opposite side of Madonna di Campiglio, the Vallesinella Waterfalls offer a glimpse of the Brenta Dolomites landscape through a forest trail with several waterfalls.
Dimaro and Commezzadura are two good stops for exploring the Val di Sole valley floor, traversed by the bike path and the Noce River. Starting from this side, a day at Lago delle Malghette becomes a way to climb from the valley floor toward the Presanella and look out over the Brenta Dolomites, without having to leave the area during your vacation.
Since each access point starts from a different side, the choice of base depends on how you want to reach the lake: Madonna di Campiglio is best for the Pradalago cable car, while Malga Dimaro and the Sentiero dei Pastori are closer to the towns of Val di Sole. Campo Carlo Magno is in the middle and can be reached from both sides.
Madonna di Campiglio is the most obvious choice for the Pradalago cable car , allowing you to combine Lago delle Malghette with the Vallesinella Waterfalls, panoramic lifts, and the trails of the Brenta Dolomites. It's perfect for a day or half-day lakeside vacation, without sacrificing the resort's amenities.
For eastern access, Folgarida and Dimaro are the closest bases in Val di Sole: the former is located on the wooded slope and has lifts leading to Monte Vigo, while Dimaro is on the valley floor, near the railway and the cycle path, along the road leading up to Campo Carlo Magno. From both, you can arrange access to Malga Dimaro or reach the pass.
To hike the Shepherds' Path, Commezzadura and Marilleva are close to the two starting points described: in Daolasa, in the municipality of Commezzadura, the train station is next to the cable car, while Marilleva 1400 allows you to ascend to Malga Panciana. Staying in one of these locations, you can alternate a day at Lago delle Malghette with other hikes in Val di Sole.
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