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Trekking the Adamello Glacier Trail |
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Hiking on Italy’s largest glacier: Pian di Neve
A Challenging trek with expert mountain guide.
First World War history, geology and glaciology, local culture, traditions, flora and fauna and breathtaking scenery....
While walking, mountaineering or rock climbing in the Adamello mountain range, ones mind goes back to the historical events that took place in this region: the Neolithic rock engravings, the strategic importance of this frontier land during the First World War, the resistance during the Second World War and the more recent pilgrimage of Pope John II to the glacier.
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During the First World War, the Western border between Italy and Austria crossed two important mountain ranges: the Ortles-Cevedale and the Adamello-Presanella ranges. That meant that the two sides had to fight for over three and a half years, an Alpine War, with rock and ice positions at 3000 metres above sea level, in very difficult environmental and climatic conditions. Surviving the elements was a daily task for the soldiers: Winter lasted 8 months with heavy snow falls from October to May with 10 to 12 metres of snow each Winter. The cold was a daily enemy, with temperatures dropping to -15°C during the day and -25°C at night. In this “white hell”, the Italian “Alpini” and the Austrian “Kaiserjager”, as well as having to fight against each other, had to survive these extreme conditions, including enormous avalanches that caused more victims that the actual fighting.
On the Adamello range, all the action that took place during these years, was focused on conquering the Austrian strategic position “Monticelli” that controlled the Tonale mountain pass. The Austrians dug many tunnels and trenches on the front line between Monticelli and “Tonale Orientale”. They also occupied the “Paradiso, Castellaccio and Lagoscuro” passes that controlled the Italian town of Ponte di Legno.
Running from June to September on any day of the week.
Minimum 4 persons
5 Nights, Six days
Price includes
► All meals (except lunch on arrival day)
► 2 night in Alpine Valley Hotel
► All Transfers, including Bergamo airport
► Alpine Mountain lodges (3 nights)
► Orientation meeting
► Alpine Mountain guide
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The hike that we are about to take you on is a magnificent trip to the centre of the Adamello mountain range and the Pian di Neve glacier (the largest in Italy with over 18 square kilometres). Due to global warming and the consequent rising temperatures, the icepack has been shrinking steadily over the last 100 years. The itinerary begins at Passo Tonale, a place that also gave the name to the volcanic rock of these mountains: Tonalite.
Day 1 ...Arrival day
You will be transferred from Bergamo to the Lovely Alpine Valley spa town of Boario for a goods night rest in a 3 star Hotel before...
Day 2 – Sentiero dei Fiori
Pick up from Hotel and transfer up valley.
We take the cable cart from Passo del Tonale to Passo Paradiso (2585 metres). From here we follow the trail on the large boulders of the moraine to Passo Castellaccio (2963 metres). Here the “Sentiero dei Fiori” (trail of the flowers) starts, a “via ferrata” equipped with a wire cable that runs along the First World War front line. From Corno Lagoscuro (3166 metres), where we find a little bivouac, the trail continues down to Passo Lagoscuro and then up to Cima Payer (3056 metres). After a rest and time to admire the views of the Adamello glacier in front of us, we descend to the Città di Trento lodge (2449 metres), where one can often spot Ibex and Chamois.
Ascent: 700 metres approx.
Descent: 800 metres approx.
Average walking time: 5 hours
Difficulty: EEA
Day 3 – Cresta Croce
After breakfast, we head towards the Vedretta del Mandrone, part of the Pian di Neve glacier, the largest in the Italian Alps. The scenery is unique: a desert made of ice, crevasses, icefalls, streams, peaks and ridges surround us for kilometres and kilometres.
We continue up hill on the icy terrain towards the Caduti all’Adamello lodge (3040 metres) from where one can admire a 360° view of the Adamello mountains. We leave some of our equipment at the lodge for the night, and after a cup of tea and a slice of cake, we head to Cresta Croce (3276 metres) where we can visit the Cannon 149G that was positioned here by the Italians during the First World War. Back to the recently renovated lodge in time to enjoy a beer while watching the sun set over the ice field.
Ascent: 900 metres approx.
Descent: 350 metres approx.
Average walking time: 6 hours
Difficulty: F
Day 4 – Pian di Neve
On the third day we cross the Pian di Neve (“Snow Plain”) from East to West until Punta Venerocolo (3323 metres). This is the route that the Italian soldiers used to drag the cannon to its current position in one night. From the peak, we descend towards Lake Venerocolo at the foot of the massive Adamello North face. The Garibaldi lodge (2550 metres) is located here and during the War was part of an Italian military camp, placed here to defend the routes that crossed the glacier. The small church is all that remains of that period.
Ascent: 600 metres approx.
Descent: 1100 metres approx.
Average walking time: 5 hours
Difficulty: F
Day 5 – Adamello North face
The last day takes of right under the Adamello North face across the Passo del Lunedì (2650 metres), along the initial part of the Alta Via dell’Adamello (Adamello haute route), until the Pantano dell’Avio artificial dam, built to generate hydroelectric energy. From here, the trail heads down the Avio Valley towards the village of Temù. Our journey ends here but our eyes and our mind are enriched with historical memories and magnificent views.
Ascent: 150 metres approx.
Descent: 1100 metres approx.
Average walking time: 4 hours
Difficulty: EE
Departure down to 3 star Valley Hotel.
Day 6 - Departure day
Transfer to airport.
Optional extra nights in valley as required.
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Optional itineraries
- Peaks: Adamello, Presanella, Corno di Cavento, Monte Fumo
- Traverses with descent from Genova, Miller, Salarno or Adamè Valleys
Equipment list
Backpack (40 litres), harness, crampons, rigid sole mountaineering boots, sleeping sheet, thermos for hot drinks, energy bars and dried fruit, first aid, glacier sun glasses (cat. 4), goretex jacket and trousers, gloves and hat, sun protection, torch, camera, map, pocket knife.
Difficulty
Two scales of difficulty have been used: the hiking scale and mountaineering scale, according the type of terrain.
Hiking scale: T, E, EE, EEA
Mountaineering scale: F, PD, AD, D, TD
Hints
The best time of year for this itinerary is from mid June to mid September, when the mountain lodges are open. With your Guide, you can also create tailor made itineraries to meet your needs. The Adamello-Presanella and the near Ortles-Cevedale ranges are also ideal for ski touring itineraries during the ski mountaineering season (March-April).
ADAMELLO MOUNTAIN GUIDES
The Adamello Valle camonica Mountain Guides boast over one century of history; their presence in the Valley is documented since the mid 1800’s. Your guide will have a UIAGM mountain guide qualification and will guide you through the, flora, forna, animals, birds and environment of the Alpine region.
 for booking
Related Links
Val Camonica guide.
Boario Terme guide
Bergamo guide
Adamello Glacier, Hiking Dolomiti, Hiking Glacier
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