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Val Rendena

Foto © Trentino Sviluppo – Paolo Bisti

Val Rendena

Nestled among the Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Val Rendena is a small world just 20 kilometers long that winds along the Sarca River. From the village of Verdesina it extends as far as Passo Campo Carlo Magno, at an altitude of 1,650 meters and is part of the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park.

Belonging to the Giudicarie valleys, Val Rendena has many side valleys: Val San Valentino, Val Borzago and the beautiful Val Genova.

Surrounded by silence, unspoilt nature, villages, glamorous locations and top-level sporting events: ready to go there with us?

TOP 5 NOT TO BE MISSED

Challenge “3Tre”

Reaching Lake Nambino

Admire the waterfalls of Val Genova

Play golf on the highest golf course in Europe

Follow in the footsteps of San Vigilio

PORTE DI RENDENA

To welcome you in the valley, the union of the municipalities of Darè, Vigo Rendena and Villa Rendena, united since 2016. The municipal seat is in Villa Rendena. All three villages, with their hamlets of Javrè and Verdesina are lesser-known holiday destinations, but certainly of historical and cultural interest, which can represent alternatives of peace and quiet in all seasons.

Already known in the 19th century, Darè is a mountain village with typical stone houses. The Casa Cues, is a testimony of medieval architecture that can catapult you back to ancient times. Noteworthy is the fountain in Piazza Roma, a large agora from which several paths start.

Vigo Rendena is partly climbed on the eastern slopes of the Corno Basso and partly lying on the valley floor, on the edge of a wide agricultural area. To see the Church of San Lorenzo and the Capitello della Madonna del Rosario.

The Rhaetian populations, followed by the Celts and finally the Romans, later occupied Villa Rendena, inhabited since the Bronze Age. The center of the village is framed by old houses with massive walls and granite portals; Piazza Maggiore also offers some interesting religious frescoes. Easily reachable from the center, we advise you to walk towards the little church of Pafsang, built in the 18th century with a unique wooden bell tower and rich in frescoes.

From the villages of Darè and Vigo you can reach the Val di San Valentino, which develops east west and is formed by three main branches. The easternmost, called Stracciola, Valletta, formed by the course of the Bedou brook of San Valentino, divided into low and high. Third, the Val Cavento at the foot of the southern slope of the Carè Alto. The main furrow goes as far as the San Valentino Pass (2765 meters above sea level), which is the oldest pass between Val Rendena and Val di Fumo, of which numerous documents testify the passages in ancient times. In the Middle Ages the valley was landslide due to pyrite mines, extracted from the left side perhaps already in the Bronze Age. The right side of the valley is an area of great naturalistic value.

SPIAZZO RENDENA

The village of Spiazzo was traditionally home to all the communities of Rendena: here was the seat of the parish church of Rendena, a seal of the centrality of the village and the religious charisma derived from the martyrdom of San Vigilio occurred in these very places. To visit the church dedicated to the saint, where according to tradition his martyrdom took place. The church dedicated to Saint Anthony, dating back to the 15th century, is unique and represents a combination of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

What you cannot miss in Spiazzo is the Adamellina White War Museum, a museum where all the objects found on the paths, even over three thousand meters, walked by soldiers during the Great War, have been collected.

Finally, the Cort da Togno is worth a visit to discover the frescoes depicting customs and habits, but also the extravagances of the Middle Ages: a curious testimony of how satire already existed in ancient times.
From Spiazzo, going west, you can reach the Borzago valley. It is crossed by the Rio Bedù di Pelugo and develops in an east-west direction up to the glaciers of the eastern side of the Carè Alto.

Woods alternating with wide meadows and pastures, interrupted by scattered huts and small settlements that testify the typical alpine activities, characterize the lower part of the valley. Higher up, we find the ancient, now abandoned alpine huts, which mark the passage from pastures and conifer woods to the ruggedness of rocks and glaciers.

At an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level is the Rifugio Carè Alto, built in 1912 by a group of mountaineers from Rendena, in a panoramic position overlooking Val Rendena and the Brenta Dolomites.

PINZOLO

Pinzolo is the biggest centre of the valley and it is the municipality that enclosesthe most famous tourist resort of this valley, Madonna di Campiglio.

Frequented in both summer and winter, Pinzolo is a perfect tourist destination for families. Alpine skiing is certainly the main reason for skiing weeks, which here in Pinzolo can be practiced on slopes mainly of medium difficulty.

Of particular historical interest, we invite you to visit the little church of San Vigilio, which dates back well before the year 1000. Outside, the priceless frescoes by Baschenis, one of the most important painters of 1500, are absolutely to be admired: the Dance Macabre and the Seven Deadly Sins will leave you speechless!

Foto © Zairon 

Foto © Caterina Cozzio

STREMBO

Surrounded by a thick chestnut grove, once considered the kingdom of the Marian fairies, Strembo has its roots far back in time. Towards the valley, Strembo is lapped by the course of the Sarca River, in whose bend the river park has risen, which, together with the recreational area, forms a large area dedicated to relaxation. The town was also the birthplace of some of the people who started the tourist development of Val Rendena, including Giovanbattista Righi, father of Madonna di Campiglio, and Luigi Fantoma, king of Val Genova, who accompanied the explorers to the conquest of Adamello.

From Stembo you can access the long Val Genova, also known as the “Valley of Falls”. The most famous is the Nardis waterfall, one of the highest in Trentino, formed by the Nardis torrent that descends from Presanella on the northern side of the valley.

The other waterfalls are the Lares (high and low), Folgorida, Casöl (Casina Muta), Pedrùc, Stablèi, Pont delle Cambiali and Mandron. In addition to the waterfalls, Val Genova is full of corners to be discovered, with some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area. Alpine huts, farmsteads and refuges dot this green wonder. Not to be missed!

BOCENAGO

In the shadow of Mount Toff, Bocenago is the town that most of all has preserved the typical rural architecture of its buildings, very original and linked to the forestry and pastoral economy. The buildings are characterized by sturdy masonry bases of rectangular shape, where there was space for the hearth and the stable, surmounted by light wooden structures.

The portals are rigorously made of granite and the wide facades face original balconies. The center of the village is indicated by an original fountain composed of two large boulders, one of granite to symbolize the Adamello and one of dolomite to recall the Brenta Dolomites. Walking through the village, then, you can experience the atmosphere of the past and notice the will of the inhabitants to remember a past rich in history, traditions, culture, combining it with the evolution of time.

In Bocenago you can have fun playing some golf in the Golf Club Val Rendena, which covers an area of 125,000 square meters.

Foto © Zairon 

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO

Campiglio is a hamlet of Pinzolo, but it is the best-known place in the whole Val Rendena. Elegant and modern center, it is located at 1,550 meters above sea level, today is certainly the number one among the Italian ski resorts and one of the most important in the entire Alpine arc.

Every December it hosts the Ski World Cup stage, where the village lights up with exclusive parties and events. On the legendary “3Tre”, the slope of the great competitions, you can see the biggest skiers in the world compete!

However, if worldliness is not what you are looking for, do not worry: Campiglio is a great destination to practice many sports in all seasons in peace!

In this regard, we recommend you to discover Madonna di Campiglio also in summer: a trip to the beautiful Nambino Lake is definitely worth it! The path is easy to walk, not particularly difficult and offers one of the most beautiful corners of this valley. Once at the Lago Nambino Refuge you can walk around the circumference of the lake: easy, fast, and suitable for families!

If golf is your passion, then you cannot miss the opportunity to play on the highest golf course in Europe: Carlo Magno Golf Course, right near the pass is a golf course built with the help of the famous player Henry Cotton. A unique setting where you can practice this fascinating sport!

CURIOSITIES

A path winds for almost 100 km between Madonna di Campiglio and Trento and follows the path that San Vigilio made in 405 A.D. during his work of evangelization of the valley. The itinerary is made up of a series of ancient paths recovered and arranged by the SAT (the Society of Tridentine Mountaineers) and marked with red and white signs. It crosses many villages and meets several small churches and religious buildings linked to the Saint.

HOTELS SELECTED BY PASSIONE DOLOMITI

Val Rendena

Biohotel Hermitage

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Surrounded by a landscape of singular beauty given by the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello-Brenta Group, Val Rendena is a snow sports paradise.

The upper part of the valley, with numerous slopes, one of which is a World Cup slope, is the temple of skiing!

Trekking or snowshoeing to isolated mountain pastures, cross-country trails or trails, ice-skating, ski touring and climbing icefalls complete the offer of this valley.

Foto © Andreas Tamanini

Foto ©  Aurora Fontanari

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Let us start with two wheels: Val Rendena is crossed by about 30 km of cycle path that connect Madonna di Campiglio to Villa Rendena. Flat stretches alternate with short difficulties along the banks of the Sarca River. Suitable for families, it offers a pleasant ride in the open air, to be spent in complete tranquility and without too much effort.

If water is your element, then go in search of the numerous waterfalls that are present in this valley: from those of Vallesinella to those of Val Genova. Or the lakes, present in this valley as in no other area of the Adamello-Brenta Park: Lake Nambino, or Lake Ritorto (connected by the famous 5 lakes path, which also reaches Lake Serodoli, Lake Nero, Lake Lambin), Lake Malghette, Lakes Cornisello, Lakes San Giuliano and Lake Valagola.

Immerse yourself in nature will be a real pleasure, perhaps accompanied by a horse. A couple of stables in the valley can make this idyllic picture.
Not to mention the over 450 kilometres of hiking trails, superb via ferrata routes and mountain bike trails.

Finally, there are two golf courses: the Rendena Golf Club and the Charlemagne Golf Course.

SKIING & HIKING AREAS

SKI AREA CAMPIGLIO DOLOMITI DI BRENTA

There is not much to say about this ski area, the numbers speak for themselves: with 156 kilometers of slopes, 58 lifts and as many as 108 slopes, it is the largest ski area in Trentino. With a single ski pass, you can ski from Pinzolo to Val di Sole in Folgarida and Marilleva. Pinzolo and Madonna di Campiglio have 64 slopes, including the unmissable “Dolomitica” and “3tre”, the latter run by the greatest ski champions. Always attentive to the offer also for the youngest skiers, in this area there is also a snow park and a toboggan run.

In summer the Brenta Dolomites are the perfect place for your trekking: in the Grostè area, between Campiglio and Campo Carlo Magno, you can discover a world that we would define “lunar”: the rock is grey and almost white scratched and if you like the genre we suggest you to plan some paths here, considering to stay overnight in some refuge.

If you are looking for more challenging adventures, we reveal that the Brenta Group has one of the most complete and articulated vie ferrate systems in the Alps: the Via delle Bocchette. This large “network” of equipped trails, which covers the entire massif, along slender aerial ledges, allows even non-mountaineers to experience the mountains, getting to know some of the most exciting alpine landscapes “from the inside”.

Foto © Andreas Tamanini

Foto © Federico Baldi

ADVICE

Have you ever thought about… sleeping on a farm? The farmsteads are rural dwellings typical of Trentino-Alto Adige. Originally, they were a cattle shelter, a stable with an adjoining space where you could prepare cheese and cook. They were inhabited only seasonally and served as a shelter for livestock. Nowadays many farmsteads have been restored maintaining the original structure and have become the rooms of widespread hotels. All or almost all made of wood, they are warm, cozy and are another way to experience the mountains at first hand. Ask your local APT to book one!

NATURAL PARKS

Adamello-Brenta Natural Park

The Park, located west of Trento, along the border with Lombardy, occupies a tenth of the surface of Trentino. Born in 1967, the Park offers many views of rare beauty. From Lake Tovel, which was once colored red and where there is a visitor center, to Val Genova, which with its countless waterfalls has been called the “Versailles of the Alps”. From the crystal, clear springs of Vallesinella to the views of the Cornisello lakes, at the foot of Presanella (3558 m.), with its “fiery” sunsets over the Dolomites. From the fossils of Val d’Ambiez to the mushrooms of Val Daone. An excellent network of paths allows you to visit the valleys and to climb (sometimes also by cable car) to the alpine refuges to taste traditional dishes.

The exceptional environmental conformation of the Park’s territory favors extraordinary wildlife presences that include, among others, rare and exclusive species.

So be careful not to get too far into too lonely situations: the brown bear shy and lonely carnivore is among them. Moreover, the fox, cunning predator, and five species of mustelids (badger, marten, weasel, marten and ermine).

On the prairies at high altitudes, there are numerous herds of alpine chamois; in those in the valley deer and roe deer find their best habitat. Recent reappearance in high altitude areas is the ibex, reintroduced thanks to a project implemented by the Park in collaboration with the neighboring Lombard Park.

In order to have a complete view of the animal population, mouflons and numerous rodents and insectivores (squirrels, shrews, and marmots) should be mentioned.

Equally rich and interesting is the avifauna, among which the mimetic francolino, the capercaillie and the ptarmigan are worth mentioning. Last but not least, but not least, the diurnal birds of prey (including the golden eagle and hawk, the golden and common owl, the owl and the axial owl), the reptiles and the numerous species of fish from the Alpine lakes.

About a third of the Park’s surface is covered by woods, which in the lower part are mostly broadleaf trees. For example, maple, cornel, rowan, rowan, hazel, willow, hornbeam, downy oak, and ornamental ash. In the mountain plain, on the other hand, there are beech woods and mixed deciduous and coniferous woods. The latter are often prevalent because they were favored in the past by silviculture. Where this has not happened, the pure beech woodland has been able to develop freely (Val Genova and Giudicarie esteriori). Spruce trees and larches cover the higher altitude ranges.