Madonna di Campiglio is one of those places that stays with you. An elegant basin at about 1,550 metres, set between the pale spires of the Brenta Dolomites and the glaciers of the Adamello and the Presanella. In winter it is one of Italy's best-loved ski resorts, in summer the starting point for walks to alpine lakes, waterfalls and mountain huts. In this guide we tell you what to see and do in Madonna di Campiglio, based only on places we know and that are truly worth a visit. We at Italy Holiday host guests in this area, and this is the itinerary we would suggest to a friend.

What to see and do in Madonna di Campiglio

Around Madonna di Campiglio opens one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Trentino, in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park. In a short time you reach roaring waterfalls, mountain lakes, family-friendly trails and views of the Dolomites. Here are the places we recommend.

1. Madonna di Campiglio

Madonna di Campiglio is the most famous Alpine resort in Val Rendena, at about 1,550 metres, in a basin between the Brenta Dolomites and the glaciers of the Adamello and the Presanella. It was born as a holiday destination back in the nineteenth century and has always been an elegant town, loved in every season of the year.

In winter it offers many kilometres of linked ski slopes and is one of the best-known names in Italian skiing. In summer it changes character and becomes the ideal base for hiking: from here the trails lead to the Vallesinella waterfalls, the mountain lakes and the mountain huts of the Adamello Brenta Park. Even just strolling through the centre, among shops and cafes with the Brenta peaks behind, is a pleasure.

2. Brenta Dolomites

The Brenta Dolomites are the westernmost dolomite group, the only one that rises west of the Adige river, and they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. They are a world of pale spires and walls, with several peaks above 3,000 metres, including Cima Tosa, the highest in the group, and alpine lakes at their feet.

They are paradise for those who love walking at altitude and climbing: here you find the famous Via delle Bocchette, one of the most renowned networks of equipped trails in the world. But anyone simply seeking the view finds their place too, because the Brenta peaks can be seen from almost every corner of the area and give some of the finest sunsets in Trentino. From Madonna di Campiglio they are the natural backdrop to every day.

3. Adamello Brenta Nature Park

The Adamello Brenta Nature Park is the largest protected area in Trentino, over 600 square kilometres stretching between the Adamello massif and the Brenta Dolomites. It is a UNESCO Geopark, with glaciers, forests, dozens of lakes and the famous Lake Tovel, known for the red colour its waters took on until 1964.

It is also the kingdom of the brown bear, which has returned to live permanently in these mountains, along with deer, chamois and marmots. Madonna di Campiglio is one of its most convenient gateways: from here trails for everyone set off, and mountain huts where you can stop to eat. The best season for walking runs from June to September.

4. Vallesinella waterfalls

South of Madonna di Campiglio, inside the Adamello Brenta Park, are the Vallesinella waterfalls. They are a group of falls divided into three levels, lower, middle and upper, where the Sarca di Vallesinella tumbles between firs and larches in scenic cascades.

It is a family-friendly walk, with trails that link the different levels and reward every stage with thundering waterfalls, mountain air and splendid views of the Brenta Dolomites. You can choose shorter or longer routes depending on the time you have. The best season runs from June to September, when the trails are open.

5. Nardis waterfalls

The Nardis waterfalls are the symbol of Val Genova, the side valley that opens just below Madonna di Campiglio, known as the valley of the waterfalls. They are a spectacular drop of over 130 metres, fed by the ice of the Presanella, framed by wooded cliffs in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Park.

They are one of the most photographed places in the area, even more beautiful in the late afternoon, when the light plays with the spray of water. You reach them easily by car heading down into Val Rendena, and from a viewpoint you can admire them in all their force. They are one of the first stops on the waterfall trail of Val Genova.

6. Lago delle Malghette

If you want to climb in altitude and reach an alpine lake, Lago delle Malghette is a perfect destination. It is a glacial lake at about 1,900 metres, in the Adamello Brenta Park, on the northern side of Madonna di Campiglio, surrounded by conifers and with an open view of the Brenta group.

Its clear waters mirror the mountains, and you can walk the full loop of the shore. Along the lake there is also a small mountain hut, open in summer, where you can stop to eat. You reach it on foot from the trails of Madonna di Campiglio or from the Val di Sole side, and it is an ideal destination from late spring to early autumn, when the mountain trails are open.

A practical tip before you go

Many of these places change their hours and services with the season, and some mountain trails are open only in the warmer months. Before planning your day, check the latest hours and the condition of the trails on the official sites, so you avoid surprises and always arrive at the right moment.

Where to stay near Madonna di Campiglio

Madonna di Campiglio is an elegant and very sought-after resort, and staying right in the centre can cost a lot. That is why many travellers choose a quieter base with better value for money a few minutes away, in the villages of the valley. From Pinzolo and Giustino, in Val Rendena, you reach Madonna di Campiglio in about twenty minutes by car, and from Dimaro, in Val di Sole, in a little over twenty minutes from the other side.

With Italy Holiday you find well-kept stays right in these areas, in the villages of Giustino, Pinzolo and Dimaro: a home of your own to return to in the evening after a day among waterfalls, lakes and trails, close to the Brenta Dolomites but far from the crowds.

Discover where to stay near Madonna di Campiglio and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base to experience the mountains and everything around them.

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