Stunning pearly mountains: the Brenta Dolomites!

The Dolomiti di Brenta is the only Dolomitic mountain group that rises west of the Adige river. For over a hundred years it has been a destination for alpinists and hikers from allover the world because it offers an amazing variety of climbs, equipped mountain routes, paths as well as dozens of alpine refuge and bivouac.

It extends about 40 Km from north to south and about 12 Km from east to west. The natural boarders are Val di Sole to the north, Val di Non, Molveno Lake and Paganella to the East, Valli Giudicarie to the South and Valle Rendena to the West. The whole mountain group is included in the Adamello Brenta Natural Park.

The Brenta Dolomites are distinguished by their suggestive rocky towers, which at sunrise and sunset glow a characteristic pink colour, and for their impressive natural scenery.

The subdivisions of the mountain group

With Campanile Basso in the centre and Cima Brenta Alta on the right, the Group is traditionally divided into three parts: the central area which is the most frequented because of the easy access points from Molveno and Madonna di Campiglio. The most fascinating peaks of the Groups are concentrated in this section and can be admired by climbing one of the most famous equipped mountain routes: la Via delle Bocchette.
The northern area is wilder and therefore less frequented. This section of the group is less suitable for inexperienced excursionists with the routes to the refuges being longer and harder on average. However, from the naturalistic point of view it probably represents the most beautiful area of the group, and has also been chosen by a small colony of brown bears.
The entrance points to southern area of the group are less accessible but often the nature there is more interesting. In summertime, the area that borders the central section is much more visited in comparison to the southern part.

The main peaks

The majority of the peaks in the group are above 2.800 metres in altitude and many of them exceed 3.000 metres:

• Cima Tosa (m. 3173)
• Cima Brenta (m. 3150)
• Crozzon di Brenta (m. 3118)
• Cima Ambiez (m. 3102)
• Cima Mandron (m. 3033)
• Torre di Brenta (m. 3008)

Among the most interesting peaks from the climbing point of view, the following should be mentioned

The main alpine refuges

The whole mountain group is well served by several alpine refuges. The main are:

• Rifugio Grostè
• Rifugio Tuckett
• Rifugio Brentei
• Rifugio Alimonta
• Rifugi Pedrotti/Tosa
• Rifugio Silvio Agostini
• Rifugio Dodici Apostoli

All of these are to be found along the famous Sentiero delle Bocchette, a well known equipped mountain route much appreciated by hikers.

Lakes

Throughout the group you will encounter many alpine lakes with Lago di Molveno being the biggest.

However, the most interesting one is without a doubt Lago di Tovel, famous because its waters at one time used to turn deep red.

The other lakes of the Group are smaller in dimension: Lago di Valagola in Val d'Agola, Lago Durigat near Rifugio Peller refuge, Lago delle Salare in proximity to Passo della Nana mountain pass, and Lago di Asbelz.

Access points to the Group

There are 4 main entrances to the mountain group:

From the Paganella plateau, particularly from the locality of Pradel in the Comune of Molvano: there is easy access from the southwest, especially to the central alpine refuge Rifugio Tommaso Pedrotti;

From Valli Giudicare, in particular from Val d'Ambiez coming from the direction of San Lorenzo in Banale, to connect to Rifugio Silvio Agostini and from Val d'Algone to access the Rifugio Dodici Apostoli;

From Valle Rendena, coming from the locality of Vallesinella di Madonna di Campiglio, or with the cablecar that takes you to Passo del Grosté;

From Valle di Non to go to Val di Tovel, here you can gain access by car.