The majestic peaks of the Adamello group are reflected in numerous glacial lakes. Our hike begins at Malga Bedole at 1,584 m a.s.l. and leads to the Rifugio Città di Trento al Mandrone at 2,449 m a.s.l
Image gallery: Hike to the glacial lakes of Mt Mandrone
The Adamello, the largest glacier in Italy, is situated on the border between Trentino and Lombardy. Thanks to today's hike in the Val Genova we will explore this renowned glacier close up. Our starting point is the car park near Malga Bedole at the end of the valley, where the asphalt road ends. During high season the access to this car park is restricted for private cars. However, the nature park runs a shuttle service for visitors.
Initially, we walk along the forest path further into the valley and past pastures to the romantic rifugio Bedole, a refreshment point. Here, we follow path no. 212. The itinerary is quite steep and ascends the slope in switchbacks. After a 1-hour walk we arrive at the forest limit. From the steep rocky slopes we enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Adamello glaciers and the swishing waterfalls carrying meltwater. The path leads past the glacier observatory of the alpine club. In the small building are exhibited numerous information panels and photos of the nearby glaciers and tonalite, a magmatic rock common in this area.
The remarkable variety of flowers is also worth mentioning and ranges from different types of orchids to spotted gentian, and to the martagon lily. We are now close to Rifugio Mandrone, where we stop for a well-deserved break. We proceed slightly downhill to the numerous lakes and ponds, formed by the meltwater of the Presena Glacier. Beyond them lies the larger Lago Mandron, a lake standing out like a light-blue eye in a rocky landscape. We retrace our steps back to our starting point.
- During the high season, the access to the car park at Malga Bedole (starting point) is restricted for private cars. However, shuttle buses travel from Ponte Verde at the entrance of the valley to Malga Bedole and back. For further information, call the Adamello Brenta Nature Park (phone: +39 0465 806666).
Date of the hike: 9 July 2017
Last updated in: 2026
Author: AT
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- Starting point:
- parking space at the Malga Bedole in the Val di Genova valley (subject to a fee)
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- Overall time:
- 04:50 h
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- Total route length:
- 11,6 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.584 m to 2.431 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +912 m | -912 m
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- Signposts:
- 212, 236
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- Destination:
- Rifugio Città di Trento al Mandron mountain hut, glacier lakes
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- Resting points:
- Rifugio Adamello, Rifugio Mandrone (mountain hut)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike to the glacial lakes of Mt Mandrone
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this hike!
