At 2,757 metres on the Stelvio Pass
An adrenaline weekend in the snow of the Stelvio Pass, Trentino mountain passes, hills full of apple orchards, hermitages and rock walks, lakes, diving and kayaking.
Trentino mountain passes
Passo del Tonale, Passo del Gavia, Passo dello Stelvio
We start from Ossana where we stayed in a fabulous bungalow in a small campsite very nice. The first step we admire is the Tonale Pass at 1,883 m, then we continue our climb towards the Gavia Pass at 2,621 m where we see the first snow that is tinged with rainbow shades in the sun. The photo against the snow wall and the sticker at the shelter are a must. We admire the lakes and continue towards Bormio to reach the famous Spondalunga with its fascinating and hairpin bends.
We continue through hairpin bends and snowy landscapes up to the long-awaited 2,758m and reach the Stelvio Pass as if we were heroes of another time. The feeling is the same for everyone: cyclists, motorists and motorcyclists are happy to have reached the highest pass in Italy and the second in Europe, an imposing road as well as the mountains that frame it. Here we are all friends and we exchange smiles and stories among the dozens and dozens of bikers of all nationalities stopped to admire the view, drink beer and eat an exquisite bratwurst with French fries. After being stuffed and sunbathed, we start again to go along the 48 hairpin bends on the other side going in the direction of Merano.
Trekking in the rocks and bear
Cascata di Tret, Lago smeraldo, canyon Rio, San Romedio.
In Merano we have no time to stop, but we look dreamy at the Forst brewery with its historical features. We will return, is a promise. We go fast to return to the area near Cles, the temp is tight but we want to complete our list of places before evening. We get to the Tret Waterfall that you can see from above or from below, we choose the top and maybe the bass would have been better. We continue to the Emerald Lake, a perfect name because the color of the water is really like this. There we discover the picturesque Rio canyon where you can walk among the rocks and continue the path along the river.
We leave again for the hermitage of San Romedio, the second must of the weekend. The information on the internet is not many and also on the spot we can not find anyone and we do not understand well if we are on the right path but we make it! Park the bike and pass through apple orchards until you take the path Sanzeno: a spectacular path of 2.7 km carved into the rock and overlooking the canyon. An experience not to be missed. On we are waiting for the hermitage of the holy hermit Romedio, whose legend is linked to the bear and right up there Bruno is waiting for you eating apples and nibbling among the shrubs. On the return a magnificent sunset awaits us nestled in the canyon.
Lakes and kayak
Lago di Tovel, Lago di Levico.
Lake Tovel is a jewel with indescribable colors and every time it fills the eyes. Also the road to reach it is really suggestive, immersed in the forest with the river that flows strongly and creates beautiful waterfalls and colors. At the lake we park the bike and start our walk, to turn it all around it does not take much and it is worth it, especially the wildest path from the entrance on the left to the white beach. We have breakfast on the banks and then we leave for another lake.
We walk along the lake of Caldonazzo and we arrive at Levico, the paradise for Fede since she was a child. We booked the kaykak at the Buena Onda, which also has a private beach, the trampoline for jumping in the lake and bar with good prices. We went looking for the old trenches along the shore but we did not find them, so after an hour of paddling we had fun doing diving challenges with the kids.
Recommendations:
To sleep at Camping I Larici in Ossana, also nearby there is also the center for rafting on the river Noce.
To go on the Stelvio Pass takes several hours, plan well the day and look at the weather.
In Levico Lake there is well managed camping to spend a few days and is also nice the city center.
Must places:
Passo del Gavia, Passo dello Stelvio, the trekking to reach hermitage San Romedio, Lago di Tovel
Route map:
