Cima Brenta tour from Molveno (2 days)

Although somewhat apart from the central Dolomites, the Brenta Dolomites already have a distinctly Dolomite feel, with spectacular towers, pinnacles, and rock walls.

This loop encircles the massive Cima Brenta, touching the Rifugi Grosté, Tuckett, Brentei, and Pedrotti. It spans 33km in total, with 20km above 2000 meters. It's along these segments where the most captivating views lie – 20 kilometers of walking at the base of imposing rock walls. Ideal for a 2 or 3-day trek, with overnight stays at one of the 4 refuges.

You can start this loop from either Molveno or Madonna di Campiglio. The advantage of starting from Molveno is that it allows you to fully enjoy the Grouts—Brentei—Pedrotti balcony.

From Molveno (865m), the first destination is the Rifugio Croz dell’Altissimo, in the upper Valle delle Seghe. The name refers to the ancient water sawmills that were once used along the Massò stream (one of these, the Antica Segheria Veneziana "Taialacqua", can be visited along the Massò stream just outside Molveno).

To reach Rifugio Croz, you can take the (rather dull) valley road of Valle delle Seghe, or the higher trail 340 that starts from a hairpin bend above the village. The effort is then rewarded by a beautiful path on a false flat that leads us to Rifugio Croz (1430m, 1.45 hours), amidst galleries, footbridges, and views over the Valle delle Seghe below. For those who prefer, from Molveno, you can take the Molveno—Pradel lift (1367m, €9 one way, open 8-18.45 in July and August, 8.30-17.45 in May, June, and September), which saves about 500 meters and 1.15 hours of ascent.

From Rifugio Croz, we then take the Sentiero delle Valle Perse (n322), and then the n314 among scree towards Bocca della Vallazza (2443m, 2 hours). Then we descend towards the unique Monte Turrion Alto and Monte Turino Basso, volcanic rock pinnacles that stand out over the underlying meadows. From there, we turn left onto trail 301 to ascend to Passo del Grosté (2442m, 1.30 hours) and the nearby Rifugio Stoppani al Grosté.

Here begins the most breathtaking segment of the loop: a long traverse on a false flat at the foot of rock walls, walking among meadows dotted with colossal boulders. This leads us to Rifugio Tuckett (2272m, 1.30 hours), a possible overnight stop.

Continuing from Tuckett, we descend until we intercept the Bogani Trail coming from Vallesinella and Casinei, which accompanies us to Rifugio Maria e Alberto ai Brentei (or Rifugio Brentei, 2182m, 1.30 hours). Here, the scene is dominated by Cima Tosa in front of us. From here, we head straight into the debris-filled valley until Bocca di Brenta (2552m, 1.15 hours). The final part passes through a snowfield with snow lasting until late summer. From the notch of Bocca di Brenta, we reach Rifugio Pedrotti along a ledge (2491m, 10 minutes), one of the most spectacular refuges in the Alps, guarding a pass between Valle delle Seghe and Val di Ceda.

After one or two radlers, a long descent to Molveno awaits us, through Val di Ceda (3.30 hours) or Valle delle Seghe.