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Trekking

The peaks of Monte Baldo at Lake Garda

Trekking route to Telegrafo peak along the path CAI651

Angela Trawoeger
Photos and text

Angela Trawoeger

Creator, photographer and content manager

A beautiful walk but difficult and suitable for walkers who are in fairly good training.

The Peaks of Baldo tour follows path CAI 651 and travels over the ridges of the Baldo mountain range.
The walk starts from Località Tratto Spino (1798m) and ends at Punta Telegrafo (2200m) after a connecting walk up and down peaks including Cima Pozzette (2128m), Cima Longino (2180m) and Cima Valdritta (2218m).

monte-baldo
Monte Baldo

Map and GPS track

Details

  • Technical characteristics

    • Starting point
      Tratto Spino
    • Endpoint
      Punta Telegrafo
    • Route
      Tratto Spino – Cima Pozzette – Cima del Longino – Cima Valdritta – Punta Telegrafo
    • Starting height
      1760m
    • Highest point
      2218m
    • Altitude – ascent/descent
      818m/433m
    • Distance
      9,10 km
    • Duration
      4 hrs
  • Difficulty

  • Scenic appeal

    • Experience (1 to 5)
      5
    • Landscape (1 to 5)
      5
  • Type of route

    • Return track on the same route
    • Summit tour
    • Multi-stage tour
    • Cable car ascent/descent
    • Insider tip
    • Panoramic route
  • Best time of year

    • From May to November
      without snow

Partner

Hotel Nettuno 360gardalife
Hotel Dolomiti 360gardalife en
Hotel Ideal malcesine 360gardalife

Points of interest along this hiking trail

This is probably one of the most beautiful routes of Mount Baldo. The umpteenth must-do, if you are on Lake Garda.
Hard trekking but memorable and wonderful, all taking place high up in the mountains with many varied views.
You will spend the day far away from the most crowded paths discovering an unexpected Mount Baldo.

Crest of Monte Baldo description

From the cable car station on Monte Baldo, go south staying on the path. After a few metres going downhill you will find the first uphill along the “Pozza della Stella” which takes you after 3km to Cima Pozzettte. This path has some great views 360 degrees over Lake Garda and all the surrounding mountain areas.

From Cima Pozzette carry on and you will next come to Cima del Longino. From here the surroundings start to change and you go along the east slopes until you get to Cima Valdritta.
Just before you get to Cima Valdritta, you will find a short piece that is fitted out. Don’t worry, it is easy and very short.

easy equipped path on path 651

I suggest going up to Cima Valdritta, the highest peak of Mount Baldo. Leave CAI 651 path and take the path on your right to get to the summit in no more than 15 minutes. After a well deserved break, sign the summit book and go back through the same path and keep going towards Telegrafo along path 651.

The hardest part is over.
You can get from Cima Valdritta to the crossroad to Cima Telegrafo in about one hour. This section is easy and you can walk along a comfortable path.

At the crossroad go up on the right and you will get in a few minutes to Gaetano Barana refuge in Telegrafo. Our friends of Equipe Natura have run Telegrafo refuge since 2013. You can find it just below Cima Telegrafo.
It is closed during the winter.
For booking or information call these numbers: 0039 349 1389629 or 0039 045 7731797.

Telegrafo refuge and lake garda
Telegrafo refuge

Suggestions for the return trip

Suggestion one

From the Telegrafo Hut, continue on trail 658 over the Camino Pass to the Prada-Costabella lift station.

New opening from Sunday 14 August 2022
Info: prada-costabella.en

  • Height difference ascent/descent: 197m/533m
  • Time: approx. 1 hour

From Prada to Malcesine: 

Suggestion two

Coming back by Forcella Valdritta.
Come back on path 651 until the fork in the path showing Piombi (path no. 5). From here, go downhill until you reach San Michele, the half way station of the Malcesine-Monte Baldo cable car.
This route is very beautiful but quite steep with a drop of 1800, and in some places there are some sheer sides to the walk. This excursion is not recommended if you have knee problems.

  • Drop: ca 1800 m
  • Time: + ca 5 hrs
Valdritta fork
Forcella Valdritta on path number 5

Here you can find our autumn tour pictures, we came back along forcella Valdritta.

Suggestion three

The road from Val Trovai / Punta Veleno
From the Rifugio, go downhill on path 654.

  • Drop: ca 1000m
  • Time: + ca 3,5 hrs

Leave your car here the day before; otherwise, book a taxi or shuttle service.

Suggestion four

From the Rifugio, head downhill on path 654 until you reach Brenzone.
When you get to the road for Punta Veleno, head down a short tarmac path and follow signs for Malga Zovel/Sommavilla.

  • Drop: 2100m
  • Time: + ca 5,5 hrs

Suggestion five

Go back the way you came to the top station of the Malcesine/Monte Baldo cable car.

Bike Shuttle

Our suggestions

  • On very hot days, as the path going on from here is very exposed, we suggest that you leave early in the morning.
  • Leaving early in the morning will be beautifully peaceful and you have more chance of seeing some Chamois that are common to this area.
  • Stop for one night at the refuge, it is so enjoyable. If you wish to sleep at the refuge you should book in advance.

Crest of Monte Baldo during the winter

It is not suitable to be undertaken when there is snow on the mountains.

Shelters, huts or bivouacs along the trail

Partner

Hotel Villa Edera Malcesine 360gardalife en
Xtreme bike malcesine 360gardalife
Hotel Capri 360gardalife en 1

How to reach the starting point of the trail

The path starts at the top station of the cable car.
Click here to see rates, timetables and opening times.
Tel. +39 045 7400206

Parking

Public transport

None

Safety information

  • Leave early in the morning and pay particular attention to weather conditions
  • Take lots of liquid with you especially in the summer on hot days. This route takes you over the Monte Baldo Crest which is fairly exposed and unshaded. There are no refuge nor drinking fountain along the track

This route passes by Malcesine and Brenzone sul Garda

Before or after the route, during an excursion or on holiday, stop to visit the small villages of Lake Garda

Similar route

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