Passo del Tonale is a mountain pass at about 1,883 metres, at the top of Val di Sole, where Trentino meets Lombardy. It is a place that lives at high altitude: in winter heavy snow falls and the slopes drop from the glacier down to the woods, while in summer the trails, the views and the history of the Great War, fought here above three thousand metres, remain. In this guide we tell you what to do at Passo del Tonale and what to see in the upper part of Val di Sole, based only on places we know and that are truly worth visiting. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests in this area for a long time, and this is the itinerary we would recommend to a friend.

What to see and do around Passo del Tonale

Passo del Tonale is the highest and wildest point of Val di Sole. In a few minutes you can rise to the glacier, walk the trails of a national park or discover the traces of the war in the mountains. Here are the places we recommend, all close by and tied to this high-altitude corner.

1. Passo del Tonale, the pass between Trentino and Lombardy

Passo del Tonale is a wide alpine pass at about 1,883 metres, on the border between Trentino and Lombardy. It connects Val di Sole, on the Vermiglio side, with the upper Valle Camonica, on the Ponte di Legno side. Its position makes it a historic crossing point between the two valleys, as well as a handy base for climbing even higher towards the slopes and the glacier.

In winter Passo del Tonale is one of the most loved ski destinations in the Alps, with a large ski area that drops from the glacier down to the lower woods, known for its abundant, good-quality snow. In summer it changes face and becomes a starting point for walks, mountain-bike rides and high-altitude outings. It is a destination that lives on two distinct seasons, snow in winter and trails in summer.

2. Passo Paradiso and the Presena glacier, at the top of the Tonale

Above Passo del Tonale you ride the cable car up to Passo Paradiso, a panoramic terrace at about 2,585 metres. From here the view opens onto the peaks of the Adamello and Presanella groups, and you reach the gateway to the Presena glacier, which rises to around three thousand metres. It is a place that offers great views even to those who do not ski: you simply ride the lifts up to find yourself among the snow and rock of the high mountains.

In winter some of the most demanding slopes in the area drop from here, and thanks to the glacier the snow season lasts beyond the usual. In summer Passo Paradiso is the starting point for walking towards the glacier and for discovering the legacy of the Great War: at the top of the cable car there is a tunnel that during the conflict served as a shelter and that today tells the story of those who fought here at altitude. The traces of the war in the mountains, the trenches and the monuments, are found along the trails all around.

3. Stelvio National Park, the wildest mountains

The whole upper part of Val di Sole lies within the Stelvio National Park, one of the largest nature parks in the Alps. Its Trentino part stretches along the Pejo and Rabbi valleys, which open from Val di Sole, with the glaciers of the Ortles-Cevedale massif, waterfalls and clear mountain lakes. It is the natural setting that makes this whole high-altitude area unique.

It is a realm of unspoilt nature, where with a little luck you can spot marmots, ibex and chamois. A dense network of trails crosses some of the most spectacular high-mountain landscapes in Italy, suited to every level, from easy walks to the most demanding hikes. The best time to walk in the park runs from summer to early autumn, when the trails are free of snow.

4. Val di Pejo, glaciers and lifts up to three thousand metres

A short distance from the Tonale, Val di Pejo opens as a higher side valley, in the heart of the Stelvio National Park. It is surrounded by three-thousand-metre peaks such as Vioz and Cevedale, with glaciers, mountain lakes and thermal springs. It is a wild and quiet valley, where the nature of the park is felt at every step.

In summer it is an ideal base for walking the trails of the park and for riding the cable car up to about three thousand metres, where you enjoy an immense view over the peaks and the glaciers. In winter there is a small ski area that reaches high altitude, with panoramic runs and reliable snow. It is a destination that combines the nature of the park with the charm of the high mountains in every season.

5. Pejo, the spa village at the foot of the Cevedale

In the heart of Val di Pejo lies the village of Pejo, a mountain village and a historic spa resort, surrounded by the high peaks of the Stelvio National Park. Its healing waters have been known since 1650, and they are still the heart of the village's spa tradition today. It is one of the oldest tourist resorts in Val di Sole.

In summer Pejo is a starting point for hikes in the park, among panoramic trails, mountain lakes and glaciers. In winter the small ski area takes snow lovers up to high altitude. In every season, after a day in the open air, the spa is the right place to recover your strength. It is a destination that combines the wild nature of the park with the wellbeing of the waters.

6. Val di Rabbi and the Saent waterfalls, nature and quiet

Val di Rabbi is a still little-known alpine valley, within the Stelvio National Park, made of conifer forests, pastures and ancient thermal springs. The most loved destination is the Saent waterfalls, reached by a walk that follows the stream through the woods, suitable for families too. Along the way you can cross a long suspension bridge that spans a deep gorge.

It is a valley that offers pure mountain nature and tranquillity, ideal for those seeking silence, walks and clean air. Here you walk among mountain lakes and old pastures, and you can try the barefoot walks in the woods along the paths designed for wellbeing. The best time to visit runs from summer to autumn, when the trails are open.

A practical tip before you set off

Passo del Tonale and its area change a lot with the season: in winter snow is the queen, in summer it is the trails and the views. Many lifts, such as the cable car towards the glacier, and some services open only in certain periods of the year, so before you plan your day check the up-to-date opening times on the official websites. For walks at altitude bring suitable shoes and something warm, because even in summer, above two thousand metres, the weather changes quickly.

Where to stay at Passo del Tonale and in Val di Sole

The best way to experience Passo del Tonale and the upper part of Val di Sole is to have a home of your own in the valley, from which to set off each morning towards the slopes, the trails or the glacier, and to return in the evening after a day at altitude. With Italy Holiday you will find well-kept stays in the Dimaro and Val di Sole area, a handy base for reaching the Tonale and everything around it, made for families and travellers who love the mountains.

Discover where to stay in Val di Sole and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base for exploring Passo del Tonale and the high mountains of Trentino.

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