Vallesinella, the Waterfalls Tour
The Cascate di Vallesinella fascinate all trekking enthusiasts, so if you come on holiday to Madonna di Campiglio, make sure to add them to your summer to-do list. Given the simplicity of the route, even children can visit them: we are sure they will keep a wonderful memory of it!
Through the Cascate di Vallesinella path
To reach the Cascate di Vallesinella, you start from the Palù Area of Madonna di Campiglio (from an altitude of 1514 m) via the “Sentiero dell’ Orso”.
The path is easy to walk and winds through suggestive woods of fir, larch, birch, and beech trees with beautiful views of the Brenta Group. The entrance to the path is located where the Natural Park hut is placed at the beginning of the carriage road in the woods (after Piazza Palù) and climbs immediately to recover the short elevation gain before continuing flat.
You reach Malga Vallesinella di Sopra, nestled in a wide flat area: here the view opens up onto a flowery meadow from late spring until mid-July. From there, turn right onto the path that descends the Cascate Alte di Vallesinella.
The spectacle of the Cascate di Vallesinella
You will encounter the first small bridges that allow you to descend to the base of the Cascate Alte. The spectacle awaiting the hiker is unique: a profusion of water descending to the right and left of the path, gushing from the rocks as if they were fountains.
The impression is that the waterfall is playing with us… you cross it, walk alongside it, until you reach the last waterfall and, crossing the last bridge, you just need to turn around to have a global view of the magnificent Cascate di Vallesinella, located at a height between 1550-1615 meters. In our opinion, they are to be included among the most beautiful waterfalls in Trentino.
To the Rifugio Vallesinella… we are almost there!
Skirting the river, you reach the first refuge through a path and then a forest road, the Rifugio Vallesinella.
Leaving the refuge and taking a few steps to the right, take a new path that leads down to the Rifugio Cascate di Mezzo. The sound of the water will accompany you throughout the journey, and at the end of the short path, you will be welcomed by a majestic waterfall.
From the terrace of the refuge, you can admire the large water fountain as if you were in a theater in front of the stage. The show is on!
After leaving the refuge, the easy but suggestive “Sentiero dell’Arciduca“ leads you back to Madonna di Campiglio and to the Hotel Alpina.
Route features:
An easy itinerary, suitable for everyone and without any particular elevation gain. It is possible to face the walk entirely on foot from Monte Spinale or from the Palù Area in Madonna di Campiglio or to reach the Rifugio Vallesinella with the Park Shuttle. The route is therefore adaptable according to your needs.
Start and end of the route:
The itinerary described is the one planned for the walk completely on foot starting from Madonna di Campiglio Palù Area along the “Sentiero dell’ Orso” and returning to the Palù Area along the “Sentiero dell’Arciduca”.
Technical data:
- Elevation gain about 160 meters
- Elevation loss about 350 meters
- Duration of the route about 4/5 hours. Paths 317 and 318.
Means of transport:
You start on foot from the hotel.
Required equipment:
Trekking boots, possibly high on the ankle, adequate "layered" clothing for any cold drafts, rain cape, sun hat, trekking poles.
A water bottle and some chocolate are useful to quench your thirst and restore energy!
Refreshment points:
Rifugio Vallesinella (located at the end of the carriage road), Rifugio Cascate di mezzo.
