Madonna di Campiglio in summer

The Adamello Brenta Natural Park best represents the natural beauty of Trentino-Alto Adige and extends between the Val di Non, the Val di Sole, and the Giudicarie, in the shadow of the legendary Adamello-Presanella and Brenta Dolomite mountain ranges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the edge of the park it is then found Madonna di Campiglio, the so-called Queen of the Dolomites, a well-known tourist resort in the province of Trento, very popular in winter as it is part of the Campiglio-Val Rendena-Val di Sole ski area, but also in summer. In fact, in the warm season nature awakens, becoming more lush and lively, encouraging holidaymakers to stay outdoors and discover the area in all its aspects, naturalistic, historical and folkloristic.

Madonna di Campiglio rises to 1553 m. high, a stone's throw from the Campo Carlo Maglio pass, which connects Val di Sole to Val Rendena and therefore nestled between the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello-Presanella mountain group. It is actually part of the municipalities of Tre Ville and Pinzolo.

Most of the ski lifts that operate during the winter season are also open in summer, including those at Pradalago , Spinale , Grostè , and 5 Laghi . These lifts also provide access to nearby resorts such as Pinzolo (via the Pinzolo-Campiglio Express cable car , which arrives in just 16 minutes), Folgarida , and Marilleva.

The facilities of Campiglio-Val Rendena-Val di Sole ski area they also allow you to reach the heart of Brenta Dolomites and the natural park of the same name and take advantage of the 450 km of paths to discover the precious natural heritage of the area, including waterfalls, lakes and mountain passes.

A summer holiday in the elegant Madonna di Campiglio, also much loved by the international jet-set, cannot fail to take place largely in the open air, sports activities like walks to horse riding, the climb, paragliding from Doss del Sabion, dog trekking with the docile Alaskan Malamutes and the nordic walking at the “Dolomiti Nordic Walking Park” with 6 different itineraries. Lovers of fishery they will be able to relax along the Chiese river or in the Alto Sarca in search of char and trout, while the waterways such as the Rio Roldone, the Palvico in Storo or the stream that flows in the Val Brenta gorge are perfect for practicing Rafting o canyoning.

Thanks to the presence of dense forests around Madonna di Campiglio, it is also possible to exploit the benefits of Natural wellness through eight routes guided by industry experts, thanks to which you can have experiences such as natural kneipp or barefoot walking: these routes are part of the "APT Campiglio-Val Rendena".

Among the sports most practiced in Madonna di Campiglio, both by professionals and simple enthusiasts, there is biking: in fact, the “Brenta Bike Dolomites”, Expert level or Country at lower altitudes. It is a 171 km route that crosses pastures, valleys and woods. From Madonna di Campiglio you can for example reach Stenico, passing through the Stablei and Gotro passes, through the meadows of Bregn de l'Ors at 1850 m. in height and for the Vallesinella Valley.

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Alternatively you can get to Dimaro in Val di Sole, crossing places such as the Campo di Carlo Magno Pass and the Meledrio Valley.
By mountain bike you can also tackle the arduous climb that starts from Pinzolo and arrives in Madonna di Campiglio, with a stretch that almost reaches a 2% gradient.
For lovers of two wheels there is also the “Brenta Bike Park” on the Doss del Sabion, with four high-altitude tracks, or the more relaxing ones cycle paths which lead for example to the Rendena Valley, the Chiese Valley or the Flower Cycle Path among the flowering vegetation.

Sport, but not only: in Madonna di Campiglio you can also relax simply by walking through the streets of the village and visiting the Church of S. Maria Antica, built in the 800th century in Tyrolean neo-Gothic style, guardian of a XNUMXth century wooden crucifix, which appears to have been donated by the illustrious Charlemagne, a XNUMXth century sculpture of the Virgin of the Fig Tree and a triptych depicting the Madonna and Child. From the church you can reach the Montagnoli Lake, created for artificial snow and supported by “Montagnoli Adventure Park”, where the little ones can have fun among suspension bridges, swinging logs and ziplines.

Absolutely not to be missed is a visit to Hofer Salon located inside the "Hotel Relais Des Alpes", which hosted the emperors Franz Joseph and Sissi at the end of the 800th century. The hall was decorated in Art Nouveau style by Gottfried Hofer with portraits of the sovereigns of Austria, hunting scenes and floral images, as well as a fresco depicting the Peasant Madonna which has now become the symbol of Madonna di Campiglio.

Not far from the town center is the Cavento Gallery, dug during the years of the Great War by the Austrian army at 3400 m. high: with the melting of the ice, the environment returned its almost original and highly suggestive appearance.

From Madonna di Campiglio we recommend reaching nearby Pinzolo and visiting, among other things, the Church of San Vigilio : the building displays on the outside the typically medieval fresco of the Dan Macabra, created by Simone Baschenis, with a procession of life-sized figures that winds for a good 21 metres. A similar fresco is also present on the façade of the Church of Santo Stefano in Carisolo , located at 1244 metres above sea level and overlooking the Val di Genova below.

What to do and what to see

The best way to discover the scenic beauty of Madonna di Campiglio is to take one of the area's excursions, starting with the famous 5 Laghi Tour , in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park . The 5 Laghi cable car takes you up to an altitude of 2069 meters, where the circular hike begins along trail no. 232. It passes Lake Ritort and then, crossing the challenging Ritorto Pass at an altitude of 2347 meters, descends over rocks and stones towards Lake Lambin and Lake Seredoli, offering magnificent views of the Brenta Dolomites.

Through the Nambron Pass and passing on path n.226, you reach the Pradalago cable car which allows you to return to Madonna di Campiglio. In the last stretch of the excursion you can see the scenic Nambino Lake from above: you can reach it by starting from the valley station of the Miramonti chairlift and taking path no. 217 which runs alongside a small stream until you reach the lake.

Equally beautiful is the Black Lake, reachable through an excursion that starts from the Nembrone Refuge in the valley of the same name: you start by going up to the Malga Vallina d'Amola and, through path n.311B, you arrive at the Segantini Refuge. After crossing a suspended bridge, you go up towards the Bocchetta de l'Om and go down to Lago Nero, a small lake in whose waters the Brenta Dolomites are reflected.
From the Nambrone Refuge, reachable from Sant'Antonio di Mavignola near Pinzolo, the Amolacqua path: follow the course of the Sarca crossing one of the most spectacular torrential landscapes of the entire Adamello Brenta Park. You cross the Amola plain and, passing a forest of silver firs, spruces and larches, you reach the Malga Amola, continuing through an undergrowth scented with blueberries, up to the Amola waterfall, whose spray makes the air fresh and healthy.

Speaking of waterfalls, you can't help but set off from Madonna di Campiglio to reach the Val di Genova and walk the Trail of the waterfalls, with a difference in altitude of approximately 900 m.: you start from Ponte Verde and arrive at the spectacular Nardis Waterfalls, defined as "the Versailles of northern Italy". They are 130 m high. and are generated by the Rio Nardis, which in turn originates from the glaciers that cut through the Presanella peak at 3558 m. in height.
From the Nardis Waterfalls you arrive at Ponte Rosso and the Lares Waterfall, and then continue towards Ponte Maria and the Sarca gorge. After passing the small Church of the Madonna della Neve, you go up towards the Folgarida waterfall and the thunderous one of Casina Muta. The route continues towards Malga Caret and the Pecruch waterfall, ending at Malga Bedole.

Also very well known are Vallesinella waterfalls, which can be easily visited through the Bear Trail: there are the scenic Cascate di Sopra, the Cascate di Mezzo with a single jump and then the Cascate di Sotto, which can be reached by following the ring in Valbrenta and passing the Malga Brenta Bassa.

A hike suitable for the whole family is the Giro delle Malghe (Half-Mounted Hut Tour), which begins at the Grostè cable car. The hike leads to Poza Vecia, passing the Madonna di Campiglio golf course. A forest road leads to Malga Vaglianella, then, past a green pasture, to Malga Vagliana. Returning to the first hut, take the path that leads into the heart of the Val Gealada, where Malga Mondifrà is located.

From Lake Montagnoli to Madonna di Campiglio you can then undertake an excursion towards the Brentei refuge, in a beautiful and varied route that takes place in the shadow of Crozzon di Brenta. You walk towards the Vallesinella Refuge and from here you cross a forest with a view of the Adamello, until you reach the Casinei Refuge at 1826 m. in height. Proceeding along path no. 318, between dolomite rocks, exposed sections and a tunnel, you arrive at the destination, that is, the Brentei refuge located at a height of 2178 m.

The excursion that leads to the discovery of the Doss del Sabion, along paths n. 307, n.354 and n.357: you cross the Gotro Pass and the Bregon Pass from l'Ors, to then arrive at the legendary Rifugio del XII Apostol and from here to the Doss del Sabion at 2099 m. high, from which you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Brenta Dolomites.

The Giro dell'Imperatore (Emperor's Tour), in honor of Franz Joseph, begins at the Grostè lift, specifically at the middle station. Arriving at the Boch Refuge, you walk along trail no. 331, passing an exposed but safe section offering spectacular views of the Brenta Dolomites. Continuing on trail no. 382, ​​you climb to the Graffer Refuge at 2261 meters above sea level, then descend towards the pastures in the shadow of Pietra Grande and climb back up to the Dos del Sparaver saddle. After passing the Malga Vagliana, you reach the Vagliana chairlift, which will then take you back to the hike's starting point.

From the Piazzetta dell'Imperatrice, the walk begins, leading to the exact spot where Empress Sissi passed through, complete with a stone engraved with the exact date. From here, you continue towards the Malga Fevri mountain hut and up to the panoramic summit of Monte Spinale, where the Capanna Hofer and the Rifugio Dosson are located.

Holidays in Madonna di Campiglio

Summer in Madonna di Campiglio promises to be full and lively for those who have decided to spend a holiday there. There will certainly be no shortage of opportunities for relaxation and fun, including sports, outdoor excursions but also participation in parties and festivals that enliven the Trentino town in summer.

Like any self-respecting vacation, gastronomy plays its part, and Madonna di Campiglio certainly doesn't shy away from it. There's nothing better than lunch or dinner in the area's characteristic eateries, in mountain huts, or even aboard the "Campiglio-Pinzolo Express" cable car, enjoying delicacies such as canederli (wheat dumplings), spaetzle (spaetzle ), vegetable barley soup, bro brusà soup , Storo yellow polenta served with game (especially venison), mountain cheeses such as Spressa DOC and Stravecchio di Fiemme, and desserts such as classic strudel or zelten ( a kind of cake ) with dried fruit.

Madonna di Campiglio is all about comfort, and there are dozens of hotels , guesthouses (similar to B&Bs but with more hotel-like amenities), vacation homes , and residences to suit all budgets and needs, from young people to families. Of course, there's no shortage of bike hotels , offering a wide range of services for cyclists, from workshops and storage to bike washes and rentals.