Malga Vallesinella – Bocca di Tuckett (2648m) – Bocca di Brenta (2491) – Malga Vallesinella

We had never visited the Brenta Dolomites and it was well overdue. This area is quieter than the “regular” Dolomites, but wow – just as stunning.

This hike is certainly no walk in the park – long, steep and some pretty exposed sections. Only take on this hike if you are very experienced and confident. But it is spectacular! In total it is 9 hours, but of course you don’t need to do it all in one go. There are plenty of Rifugios en-route.

The hikes starts at the car park at Malga Vallesinella – either leave you car here, or if you are staying in the ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio you can take the bus.

Leaving the car park we wound our way up through the pine forest to reach the Rifugio Casinei. The forest is pretty, but after passing the Rifugio, the views start to open up.

The forest starts to die away and we are then soon at the Rifugio Tuckett. There were lots of people milling about here – it seems to be a popular starting point for numerous climbing and klettersteig (via Ferrata) routes.

We had a drink while looking to the next section which is to climb up steeply to the Bocca di Tuckett. There can be snow if the final section until late in the season, so be careful. We both had a light pair of crampons with us and it certainly made it easier – we had to climb around 300 height meters over the snow.

About one and a half hours later we are happy to arrive at the Bocca. There are pretty scary looking via Ferrata heading off in all directions. After a quick drink we turn right and head in a southerly direction. Be careful for the first 30 meters heading down from the Bocca. It is steep and loose, but there is a chain to help.

After losing around 200 height meters the path steadily climbs again. The path does get quite narrow and steep – we were being extra careful.

It really is recommended not to do this hike too early in the season – the snow lays in the shadowy gullies well into the summer. If you are not sure, take a pair of crampons and even consider a light ice-axe.

After another hour or so we reach a section which looks impossible! Elke is not happy and I am not feeling particularly cheerful. There is a narrow 30 meter band in front us.

Yes, there is a path through there! But actually it looks worse than it really is. The path is a meter wide and there is a wire to hold onto. But of course, it does feel exposed.

After this the “worst” of the hike is over. The view open up again and it is almost too beautiful to describe.

Marveling at the views we continue hiking again slowly climbing until we reach the Rifugio Pedrotti. We hike up another 100 height meters to reach the Bocca di Brenta and treated once more to a different set of views.

This time we are looking over towards the Ademello group of mountains. This hike just gets better and better, but we are tired!

It is now the final downhill – but a long one – 1000 height meters back to the start but still fantastic views to enjoy.

Eventually, extremely tired but happy we return to the car park. What a wonderful introduction to the Brenta Dolomites!