The Brenta Dolomites are a subsection of the southern Rhaetian Alps and belong to the autonomous province of Trento. With splendid peaks over 3,000 metres, spires and rock towers, magnificent views and interesting hiking trails, they have always been a paradise for hikers and mountaineers. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy road and off-piste trails. In winter, the area attracts winter sports enthusiasts, while in summer the numerous lakes offer many opportunities to cool off while enjoying some well-deserved relaxation.
Activities in the Brenta Group
Attractions in the Brenta Group
Highlights
Expert, the tour for the real biker!
Nice scenic hike around the famous Lake Tovel, int he heart of the Brenta Dolomites.
The DBT hiking route is a loop route around the Brenta dolomitic group with an average elevation of 2000 meters. The trail covers 96 km of well ...
New, panoramic, adventurous: in other words, the Ferrata delle Aquile.
Amazing itinerary in woods, with bridges and fascinating waterfalls.
The joy of biking together.
Crossing Brenta Dolomites, from west to east, from Madonna di Campiglio to Molveno.
Where are the Brenta Dolomites?
The austere and wild Brenta Dolomites are located in Trentino and are the westernmost Dolomite group, in a position isolated from the others. More than 42 km long, they are bordered to the north by the Valli di Sole, to the east by the Val di Non and the Paganella plateau, to the south by the Valli Giudicarie and to the west by the Val Rendena.
The famous peaks of the Brenta Dolomites include Cima Tosa (3,173 m), the highest peak of the entire mountain range, Cima Brenta (3,150 m), Crozzon di Brenta (3,122 m), Cima d'Ambiez (3,102 m), Campanile Alto (2,937 m) and Campanile Basso (2,877 m).
The Brenta Dolomites are the most famous peaks of the Brenta Dolomites.
Photo: Riccardo Pasciucco, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
The Adamello Brenta Nature Park
The Brenta Dolomites are part of the Natural Park Adamello Brenta, the largest natural park in Trentino and the first Italian geopark recognised by UNESCO. This area offers a variety of landscapes, biodiversity, history and culture that make it an ideal destination for those who want to recharge their batteries or enjoy activities in the midst of nature.
The Adamello Brenta Geopark is the largest protected area in Trentino and one of the largest in the Alps. It occupies a ...
A mountain playground in summer...
The Brenta Dolomites are characterised by spires, pinnacles, escarpments, dolines and karst cavities, forming a playground for all mountain enthusiasts!
This mountain group offers a vast range of routes suitable for all levels of difficulty and experience. Here you can admire breathtaking landscapes, including rocky peaks, verdant valleys, waterfalls (such as those of Vallesinella), caves, forests and cosy shelters, and discover plant and animal species of all kinds. Particularly worth mentioning are its beautiful Alpine lakes, in particular the Lago di Molveno, the largest in the Brenta dolomites, followed by the fascinating Lake Tovel, famous because, until 1964, its waters were coloured red by algae.
Do you fancy a multi-day trek? Then the Dolomiti di Brenta Trek, a ring-route at high altitude, is the right thing for you! The itinerary is over 90 km long and takes you to the most important refuges in the area, walking at an average altitude of 2,000 metres. An unforgettable experience in almost lunar landscapes.
Alternatively there is the splendid Via delle Normali, a route that alternates between climbing (vie normali) and trekking and links ten of the most beautiful and highest peaks of the Brenta Dolomites, or the Sentiero O. Orsi, a loop in the central Brenta, suitable only for experienced hikers.
The via ferrate of the Brenta Dolomites are among the most beautiful of all the Dolomites and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Unlike other Dolomite ferratas, which retrace routes that date back to the First World War, those in the Brenta Dolomites were created for hiking purposes.
Some of the most famous ferratas are the Via delle Bocchette (divided into Bocchette Alte and Bocchette Centrali), the Ferrata Benini, the Ferrata Castiglioni, the Via Ferrata Brentari and the Ferrata delle Aquile.
The spires and high rock faces of the Brenta Dolomites are a real challenge for climbers and offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. The Campanile Basso is certainly the best known climbing spot and has attracted a large number of climbers every year since the first ascent in 1899. Another very beautiful - and extremely scenic - wall is the Cima Paganella.
If you would like to climb in a quieter and less difficult spot, the so-called “Forgotten Cliffs” - which were closed for several decades and reopened to the public in 2017 - are definitely something for you to consider.
In a mountainous area such as the Brenta Dolomites, there is no shortage of opportunities for adrenalin-pumping adventures by mountain bike (also electric). With ups and downs, single trails and forest roads, you can ride through valleys, forests, pastures, apple orchards and tour the area's most interesting mountain huts and alpine pastures.
For longer and more demanding adventures on two wheels, we recommend the Dolomiti di Brenta Bike stage tour - in the Expert and Country variants - or the Round tour of the Brenta Dolomites, ideal for racing bikes, which, in its 136 km length, offers ever-changing beautiful landscapes and many demanding climbs.
... and a large ski area in winter
The ski resorts of Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo and Andalo - Fai della Paganella make ski enthusiasts happy. They are part of one of the largest ski areas in Europe, the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta, which boasts more than 380 km of slopes and 150 lift facilities. Snowboarders have several snowparks at their disposal, where they can indulge in jumps and acrobatics (such as the Ursus Snowpark in Madonna di Campiglio).
Do you prefer a more direct contact with nature? Then you can go ski mountaineering or snowshoeing, exploring the snow-covered landscapes away from the beaten tracks, or cross-country skiing, choosing from the numerous trails that wind through woods and valleys. Finally, you can have fun with family or friends tobogganing or bobsleighing on dedicated slopes.
Fun and relaxation
In addition to hiking, biking and winter sports, the Brenta Dolomites also offer adrenaline sports such as hang gliding, paragliding, rafting and canyoning.
For families, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun together, including adventure parks, such as the Forest Park in Molveno and the Flying Park in Malè where you can challenge yourself, improve your balance and coordination in complete safety, pedal or boat rides on Lake Molveno and minigolf. In the Fauna Park of Spormaggiore you can admire brown bears, as well as foxes, lynx, wolves, roe deer and farm animals, all free to roam in wide open spaces.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to immerse yourself in total relaxation, then the famous Terme di Comano, with its oligominarily curative water, is the right place for you!
History and culture in the Brenta Dolomites
After exploring the area from a naturalistic point of view, spend some time discovering the villages at the foot of the mountains, rich in history and tradition, and the other sites of cultural interest: the Roman bridge and Napoleonic forts of Molveno, the water-powered sawmills of Molveno and Malè, the charming old town of Pinzolo, the picturesque village of San Lorenzo in Banale, included in the list of Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, the mysterious ghost village of Irone and the archaeological ruins Doss Castel.
In the area of the Brenta Dolomites, there are also a large number of splendid castles: Castel Cles, Castel Belasi, Castel Valer, Castel Nanno and Castel Belfort in Val di Non and Castel Stenico in Valli Giudicarie.