Hike from Mt Spinale to the Grostè mountain pass

This walking tour leads us from the Monte Spinale (2,100 m a.s.l.) near Madonna di Campiglio to Passo del Grostè in the Brenta Dolomites.

Map See map
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The Spinale funicular make us reach the starting point of our tour from Madonna di Campiglio.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Following the signpost SAT no. 331.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Cows of the autochtonous Rendena breed on the Alpine pastures.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The little Lago Spinale is located on our way. It is not really crystal clear, as it is used as drinking trough by the cattle.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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View back on the peaks of the Adamello mountains.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Watch out for details: the stones show remnants of traces of plants and animals of prehistoric times, when the Dolomites used to be sand on the ocean floor.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Rifugio Graffer mountain hut: from this place we proceed to the Passo del Grosté.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The path almost gets lost in between of the stones.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Approaching the pass.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Underneath the mountain Pietra Grande, there is the Rifugio Stoppani with the mountain station of the Grosté funicular.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Reaching the final destination. From the Passo Grosté, numerous Alpine paths wind through the Brenta mountain range.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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The impressive Pietra Grande, seen from the pass.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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View to north east: the Val di Non and the South Tyrolean mountains to the main Alpine divide at the Austrian border.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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From the Brenta Dolomites to the Catinaccio mountain range.
Foto: AT, © Peer
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Great view on the Brenta Dolomites with the Cima Brenta.
Foto: AT, © Peer

We start at Madonna di Campiglio where we take the Spinale cable car to reach 2,100 m a.s.l. At the Rifugio Dosson (Chalet Fiat) we follow the marker no. 331, the path leads us across the Alpine meadows of Campiglio. On the left the Pietra Grande rises like a canyon and in front of us the Cima Brenta comes nearer and nearer. The path leads past the Lago Spinale lake and up to the Rifugio Graffer (mountain hut).

Now the real ascent starts, on a rocky but never extremely steep path which in total can be graded as easy to moderate. We pass the Rifugio Stoppani, where also the mountain station of the Grostè funicular is located and have nearly reached our goal. Only still a short part and it’s done, we arrive at the Passo del Grostè (2,500 m a.s.l.). A spectacular panoramic view rewards us for our efforts. The peaks of the Brenta Dolomites, the Adamello group, the Val di Non, the Renon and the eastern Dolomites with the Catinaccio in the background. And not only this gorgeous view is a gift, also the high alpine vegetation with its bright colours delights us. A real eldorado for alpinists.

Author: AT

If you want to do this hike, please take information about the current conditions on site!

Starting point: Spinale (accessible by funicular from Madonna di Campiglio)
Signposts: SAT 331, Rifugio Graffer, Passo del Grostè
Distance: approx. 6 km (each direction)
Walking time: 2 hours (ascent), 1.5 hours (descent)
Altitude difference: approx. 620 m
Altitude level: between 2,050 and 2,550 m a.s.l.
Experienced in: August 2011

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