Molveno, Pradel, Tommaso Pedrotti Refuge and back excursion
our excursions
| Uphill height difference | m.1190 con partenza da Pradel, m.1630 con partenza da Molveno. |
| Downhill height difference | m.1190 con ritorno a Pradel. 1630 con ritorno a Molveno Via Massodi o Val Ceda |
| maximum altitude | m.2552, Bocca di Brenta. |
| Walking time excluding pauses | ore 6,30 con andata e ritorno a Pradel. Ore 7,30 con discesa a Molveno via Massodi, Ore 8 - 8,30 con discesa dalla Val di Ceda. |
| difficulty | The height difference makes this excursion demanding Lenght: 11 Km |
| notes | Ascent and descent possibilities with Gondola Pradel. |
From Molveno by cabin lift to the Pradel Plateau ( 1320 m.) and then left in a north west direction following path 340 which leads into the woods. The first part of the route is flattish and then the path hugs the overhanging walls of the Croz Altissimo. As the climb proceeds the path winds through the rocks which are perpendicular to the Val delle seghe: (equipped with a metal cable which acts as a safety railing).Here the panorama is breath-taking: in the North, beyond the impressive rocky terrace of the Naso dei Massodi, the steepest spires of the Dolomites are silhouetted against the sky and together they form the “ Catena degli Sfulmini” ( the chain of thunderbolts). To their left ( south) the unmistakable silhouettes of the Campanil Basso and the Brenta Alta can be admired. To the right the majestically towering Cima Brenta, 3150 m. whose north eastern walls caresse the Bocca del Tuckett.
The path ,(dug out of the rock) leads through a tunnel and then it climbs to 1430 m. From here it leads into the woods and then, after a few minutes, to the Croz refuge ( 1,40 hrs from Pradel) which is situated at the foot of the homonymous mountain ( 900 m. sheer rock face). It’s worth stopping here. The scenery is fascinating: an amphitheatre of towering peaks which surround the overhanging Val Perse unfolds before the viewer’s eyes. Here, paths 340 and 322 converge: path 340 leads to the Selvata Refuge and path 322 leads to the Bocca del tuckett ( after passing the path fork for Passo clamer and Malga spora, path 344, and the path fork for La Bocca Vallazza and the Pian del flavon, path 314).This route crosses the Val delle Seghe and the Massodi river and then commences its climb up through the steep hairpin bends of path 340 under the lee of the Naso dei Massodi. After about 40 mins ( 2,20 hrs from Pradel) the Pian della Selvata oasis and homonymous refuge,( 1630 m.) unfolds before the viewer’s eyes. This tranquil and peaceful place is unforgettable and the view onto the Gaiarda Vallazza chain will remain forever in the viewer’s mind. From here path 319, from Molveno, leads to the Valle dei Massodi and to the Tommaso Pedrotti alla Tosa Refuge ( 2491 m.) The vegetation of tall trees gives way to the small swiss pines which cover the detritous screes of the lower part of the Val Massodi. The route continues northwards along a steep and winding path.
The route continues across a river and a rocky crag and then to the Baito dei Massodi, which has been recently reconstructed by the Hunters of Molveno. Here the altitude is 2000 m. and the swiss pines begin to disappear leaving vast stretches of meadows which in summer are full of differently coloured mountain flowers: from the vibrant yellow of the windflowers to the deep red of the rosebay. On the horizon, the majestic peaks of the Central Chain of the Brenta Group stand proud in all their glory and path 319 points towards them.
The Pedrotti refuge nestles high up in the rocks. It seems so close, but in reality it’s 500 m. further up. The silence here is only broken by the call of the “cialde”, a mountain crow, or the characteristic noise of the cableway of the Refuge. From baito Massodi the path leads to the meadows of the homonymous valley and then ( 30 mins) to a plain named “Laghet” ,( there once were two karst lakes here). The landscape is unique: to the left the rock walls of mount Daino, in front the Brenta Bassa and the Brenta Alta, to the right the unmistakable shape of the Campanil Basso followed by the Campanile Alto, the Sfulmini, the Cima Armi, Torre di Brenta, Cima Molveno, Spallone dei Massodi and Cima Brenta. To the extreme right, north eastwards, Cima Sella, Cima Roma, the Gaiarda Vallazza group. The immense walls of the Croz dell’Altissimo complete this impressive picture.
From the Laghet, after a 10 min walk, the path meets path 303, better known as the Sentiero Osvaldo Orsi or the Sentiero della Sega Alta, which leads to the Bocca or Tuckett Refuge in 3 hrs. 15 mins later, after crossing a rocky ridge, the path arrives at the old Tosa refuge and then at the Pedrotti refuge.. Total walking time from Pradel: 3,30 hrs.
It is highly recommended to visit the Bocca del Brenta. From here the view onto the Presanella mountains and the Adamello is absolutely amazing. Furthermore, at 100 m. downstream, on the right is the mythical path of the Bocchette Centrali which brings, from the north wall of the Cima Brenta Alta, to the Bocchetta del Campanil Basso.
The route continues westwards along path 320-304 and circumnavigates the spur of the Cima Brenta Bassa. Here the Pozza Tramontana acts as a stage to the backdrop of imposing rock walls of the Cima Tosa and the Cima Margherita on its right, the Ceda orientale and occidentale infront and Mount Daino on its left in the east.
Pictures of the climb to the hut Pedrotti alla Tosa