Ski mountaineering route at Cima Costabella on Monte Baldo

A medium-difficult route with lake view

Photos and text

Davide Fambri

Mountain bike, ski touring and paragliding

This is a medium-difficult route which can be done even in deep snow, rated MS, from Prada Alta you go to Cima
Costabella at 2000 m.a.s.l.

Before leaving, check the weather report and get information on snow conditions taking care to check avalanche reports.

Points of interest along the route

This route isn’t too difficult. Its a less used alternative to the classic ascent to Cima Costabella. You will find
some wonderful views of the lake and on really clear days you will be able to see the Appenine mountains and the Venice lagoon.

Map and GPS Track

Details

• Technical characteristics

  • Starting point
    Prada
  • Endpoint
    Costabella
  • Route
    Path 56 – Ca del Cordon – Malga Valvaccara – Rifugio Fiori del Baldo – Cima Costabella
  • Lenght
    8,20 km
  • Difficulty
    MS
  • Height difference
    1155m/1171m
  • Starting quote
    987m
  • Pike height
    2087m
  • Time
    4 hrs
  • Exposition
    W SW
  • Material
    avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe

• Difficulty

  • Difficulty
    MS
  • Technical difficulty (1 to 5)
    3
  • Physical training (1 to 5)
    3

• Scenic appeal

  • Experience (1 to 5)
    5
  • Landscape (1 to 5)
    5

• Type of route

  • Summit tour
  • Panoramic route

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Tour description

Ascent

Going up from the open space, you cross the road and take path 56 which starts off flat and then starts to climb steeply.
Follow this until you find a pasture on your left with a hut.

Go up through this pasture until you meet the forest path
and on up hill until you find a wood with a small stone wall which is easy to climb over. Carry on along the path through
the wood until you find an open valley area.

Go up through this valley and where the vegetation ends it dips and then turns slightly to the right until you reach Malga Valvaccara at 1546m.a.s.l.

Climb the flanks keeping left of the steep decline and then go a bit to the right towards Rifugio Fiori del Baldo at 1816 m.a.s.l.

Here, turn left and go on up to Cima Costabella at 2055 m.a.s.l. (there aren’t any crosses or other signs at the peak of the mountain).

Descent

To descend, go back down towards the lake and then cut off to the left which will then bring you back onto the track.

Shelters, huts or bivouacs along the trail

• Rifugio Fiori del Baldo: A Prada, all’arrivo degli impianti Tel. +39 045 6862477

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How to reach the starting point of the trail

By car, get to Prada Alta from San Zeno di Montagna. Go past the lower lift stations (Prada/Costabella) and go on on
Via Prada Alta. Go past Via Fes on your left and straight away, on your left, you will find a small open space with a bench where you can park your car.

Our suggestions

• Be careful of the snow ledges that form at the top of the mountain and stay on the inside.
• The Rifugio Fiori del Baldo is often open even in the winter but it’s best to contact them to be sure before setting off.
• If the Refuge is open, stop for a snack and to drink something. From here on a clear day you can see as far the Venice Lagoon.

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