Val Maggiore

Val Maggiore is a side valley of Val di Fiemme, located in the Predazzo area and on the slopes of the Lagorai mountain range.

From the forest above Predazzo, the valley opens into a meadow basin crossed by the Rio di Valmaggiore. The dark peaks of the Lagorai appear ahead, carved from porphyry; turning toward the valley floor, the lighter rocks of the Latemar can be seen. This contrast in colors accompanies much of the hike and makes Val Maggiore recognizable even to those arriving here for the first time.

The valley floor lends itself to a leisurely day: a hike to the mountain hut, a break with the kids among the stream and its animals. However, the same meadows are also the gateway to hikes to the Three Lakes, the Paolo and Nicola Bivouac, and the Translagorai. Beyond the mountain pasture, the elevation gain, terrain, and isolation change, so a hike to the mountain hut and a higher-altitude hike should be considered distinct experiences.

How to get to Val Maggiore from Predazzo

From Predazzo, follow the signs for Miola and Valmaggiore. The road climbs through the woods; it's narrow, and for the last few kilometers, it alternates between asphalt and dirt. The mountain hut is located about six kilometers from the village and can be reached by car during its opening hours, unless temporary restrictions or conditions require a stop earlier. The signage on site remains the reference point for determining how far you can continue that day.

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Those who prefer to enter the valley on foot can leave their car at Paluat , around 1.540 meters above sea level, shortly after the road becomes a dirt road. From here, the family-friendly route reaches the mountain hut with a round-trip distance of approximately 3,6 kilometers, a 60-meter elevation gain, and an hour's actual walking time. The time and distance can easily be increased with stops along the stream and in the pastures.

A dirt road reaches the Malga Val Maggiore located right next to the wood on the slopes of the Lagorai peaks.

The first section enters through the fir trees and reaches the bridge over the Rio di Valmaggiore. At the fork, head towards the mountain hut; the other road leads towards Lake Cece. After the bridge, the trail remains almost flat, following the water's edge and then emerging from the forest. It is here that the valley reveals its true shape: a long meadow, the stables and mountain hut at the end, and the peaks of Valmaggiore and Cece marking the horizon.

There are also walking accesses from Miola and the Valle Verde Camping area. These are suitable options for those who want to start lower down and spend more time walking; they should not be confused with the short walk from Paluat.

Here in the summer season, you can find absolute peace: since the valley is somewhat difficult to reach, tourists are limited. Apart from the Malga Val Maggiore, there are no other settlements or tourist facilities; just 100% nature.

In Val Maggiore, cell phones rarely get signal , so you're right in touch with nature. This small valley is perfect for spending a quiet day among the woods and Alpine streams, or as a starting point for other mountain destinations.

Coverage can vary from operator to operator and from one point in the valley to another. Anyone continuing beyond the mountain hut should already have a map that can be used offline on their phone, communicate their intended route, and not rely on mobile network coverage to resolve a route error.

What to do in Val Maggiore with children

For a family, the most exciting part doesn't just begin at the arrival. The bridge, the stream that runs alongside the road, the sudden exit from the woods, and the grazing animals add rhythm to even a short hike. There's no need to force children to reach a destination beyond the mountain hut: the meadow allows them to stop, play, and set off again whenever the weather dictates, while still keeping an eye on the stream and respecting the fences and animals.

During the mountain pasture months, you can encounter cows, horses, sheep, and other animals, but their presence and the location of the pens vary throughout the season. Approaching the stables, you can observe the work of the mountain pasture and, at the right time of day, even milking. It's a simple way to show children that the pasture isn't a setting built for visitors, but rather a place of work.

The forest road from Paluat is wide, has gentle gradients, and is suitable for a mountain stroller . Large tires and a good braking system are helpful on dirt roads, especially after rain. Walking alone takes approximately one hour; with a stop at the mountain hut, lunch, and time spent with the animals, the trip can easily last half a day.

Malga Valmaggiore, mountain pasture, cuisine and overnight stay

Malga Valmaggiore is located at about 1.600 meters, at the bottom of the plain. Renovated in 2022, it is a farmhouse, restaurant, and overnight accommodation. The kitchen serves Trentino dishes and fresh, locally sourced produce; a stop can therefore be the center of the day, not just a refreshment before returning to the car.

For summer 2026, the indicated period runs from June 6th to September 27th, with daily opening hours from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Dates, times, evening service, and room availability are subject to change: if lunch or an overnight stay are essential to your itinerary, it's best to contact the facility directly before climbing. In winter, the road is closed to public traffic, and the mountain hut organizes a shuttle service for those staying there; refreshments for passers-by are only available on certain days.

There's no tourist village around the mountain hut. This lack of buildings maintains the continuity between the pastures, forest, and mountains, but it also requires you to bring water, appropriate clothing, and an alternative plan if the facility is closed.

The Three Lakes Tour

There are several itineraries starting from Val Maggiore, particularly towards the Lagorai peaks, but not only that. The trails also lead to magnificent alpine lakes: here, the Lagorai mountain range is wild and therefore pristine. The Lagorai lakes are considered natural treasures of great charm.

The most complete hike follows trail 339 from the mountain hut towards Lake Moregna , Lake delle Trote , and Lake Brutto . The loop is approximately 11,1 kilometers long, takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes to hike, and includes 890 meters of climbing and the same amount of descent. It is classified as medium difficulty, but the combination of altitude, duration, and terrain makes it very different from the flat walk on the valley floor.

The old mule track climbs first through the woods and then through pastures and rhododendrons. A detour leads to Malga Moregna and the lake of the same name; returning to trail 339, you first reach Lago delle Trote and then Lago Brutto. From the latter, you can return along the same route or continue to Forcella Moregna and complete the loop on trails 349 and 349B. The second option reaches almost 2.400 meters and should only be chosen in stable weather and with enough time to return.

The charm of the three lakes also stems from the gradual transition between different environments: the stream in the forest, the Moregna meadows, the basins carved into the dark rock, and finally the pass. Cima Cece dominates the highest section; from the open areas, the view reaches the Dolomites of the Val di Fassa and, behind, the Latemar.

Not only that, the lagorai was the scene of the Great War, in val maggiore there is a stele in memory of the fallen on the Lagorai and from here excursions depart that lead to what remains of the trenches.

After Forcella Moregna, the route encounters walkways and the remains of trenches. These are not isolated features of the landscape: many of the mule tracks that now make it possible to cross the Lagorai were built specifically to move men and materials during the First World War.

The Paolo and Nicola Bivouac and the Translagorai

From Malga Valmaggiore, trail 335 ascends to Forcella Valmaggiore , where the Paolo and Nicola Bivouac is located, at approximately 2.180 meters. The section covers approximately 560 meters of elevation gain, and the estimated climbing time is an hour and a half. In the final section, the forest remains below, the terrain becomes rocky, and the feeling of isolation quickly increases.

The bivouac is an unmanaged structure and serves as a support point for the Translagorai. It does not offer the services of a refuge, does not guarantee a bed, and may be full during peak periods. Anyone who includes it in a crossing must be independent of food, equipment, and the ability to manage any changes in plans, without considering the presence of the bivouac as an implicit reservation.

The Translagorai continues from the pass toward other passes and bivouacs in the range. It's a multi-day trek in a remote environment, with long stages and few managed facilities. The ease with which the mountain hut is reached by car doesn't detract from the challenge of the crossing that begins above it.

Wild Valley

At the bottom of the valley, a nearly flat forest road leads to the mountain hut; the higher trails lead into a section of the Lagorai range with few shelters, patchy cell phone coverage, and long stretches far from roads. Therefore, the Val Maggiore can accommodate both easy walks and challenging hikes, but the two experiences don't require the same level of fitness.

This means that an excursion on the Lagorai starting from Val Maggiore requires correct planning and a correct evaluation of the weather conditions, the chosen route and its difficulty.

On the Lagorai, summer storms can develop rapidly in the afternoon. For the Tre Laghi, a bivouac, or a stage of the Translagorai, it's wise to leave early, check the weather forecast before leaving Predazzo, and schedule a time to turn back. In the sections above the treeline, shelter is limited, and temperatures can drop significantly, even after a hot day.

The little church, the Great War and the Vaia storm

The memory of the war remains even on the valley floor. The small church dedicated to the Fallen was built by the Alpine troops of Predazzo in 1987, near a war cemetery. In October 2018, Storm Vaia destroyed it along with part of the forest: logs and a mudslide hit the building, leaving only rubble.

The Alpine troops immediately decided to rebuild it, and the new church was inaugurated in 2023. The sloping roof and large wooden beams reflect the appearance of the previous building. Today, the small church tells two distinct yet closely related stories: that of the fallen soldiers on the Lagorai and the more recent memory of a valley scarred by the violence of Vaia and rebuilt through the community's work.

The storm's effects are still evident in the varying ages of the trees, the openings in the forest, and the interventions along the forest roads. The valley hasn't lost its character; however, it has become easier to understand how the Alpine landscape continues to change, even in the space of just a few years.

The Woods That Play Along the Climb

In the Paluat area, you'll also find the Bosco che Suona ( Sounding Forest), a trail dedicated to resonant fir trees and their connection to music. Some trees are associated with performers who have chosen and symbolically adopted a fir, transforming the forest into a journey of names and sounds. The visit can be combined with a walk to the mountain hut, without reaching the altitudes of the hiking trails.

Vaia also affected this area, and the trail has undergone restoration and safety work. Before including it in your day's itinerary, it's therefore helpful to check the signage in Paluat and the condition of the trail, especially after storms or forestry work.

Authentic valley

The Val Maggiore, along with the other side valleys of the Lagorai, is a truly unique destination. A last bastion of true and authentic nature, where mass tourism struggles to thrive.

Ideal for those who want to rediscover the mountain as it once was.

The darkness and distance from towns offer clear nights and star-filled skies, but pastures and woods are no campsite. For a planned night in the valley, the best option is to book at the Malga Valmaggiore; the Bivacco Paolo e Nicola is part of a high-altitude hiking trail. Anyone planning to bring a tent should check the regulations in force with the Municipality of Predazzo or the land manager beforehand, and don't rely on the lack of signage alone.

Where to stay to visit Val Maggiore

Sleeping at Malga Valmaggiore allows you to stay in the valley after day hikers return and set off early for the Lagorai trails. Space is limited, and reservations are required. It's the perfect choice for those seeking peace and quiet and wanting to spend more than a single day in the valley.

Predazzo is the most convenient base for those looking for restaurants, shops, transportation, and a wider choice of hotels, apartments, and campsites. From the town, you can reach the entrance to the Valmaggiore road without changing your accommodation, and in the following days you can explore other areas of the Val di Fiemme.

A hike to the mountain hut can take half a day, especially with children and lunch. The Three Lakes tour requires a full day, while the Paolo and Nicola Bivouac and Translagorai hikes should be planned as independent mountain hikes. Before setting out, it's a good idea to check the weather, the mountain hut's opening hours, and the conditions of the chosen trails: in such a secluded valley, simply changing your destination is enough to move from a quiet forest road to a high-altitude environment.