Cima Terre Fredde

Lago della Vacca

This loop route along historic trails over Cima Terre Fredde, capped off by a technically demanding descent back to Breno, is a physically and technically challenging adventure in the heart of the Adamello massif.

Description

The adventure begins in Breno at an elevation of just under 300 meters above sea level. From here, you can tackle the entire paved road to Rifugio Carlo Tassara under your own steam. However, if you want to save your energy for the key sections later on and significantly shorten the tour, we highly recommend taking a shuttle. For purists who tackle the climb directly from the saddle, the road from Breno leads steadily uphill to the turnoff toward Rifugio Carlo Tassara. There, the surface changes to partly coarse gravel as you gain elevation meter by meter.

At an altitude of just under 2,000 meters above sea level, the climb leads into a historic mule track, or singletrack. After an extensive uphill section, this passage finally leads to Lago della Vacca. Especially in the upper section, the trail impresses with artfully laid stone slabs that have been impressively integrated into the alpine landscape. The lake itself, an artificial reservoir, is typical of this region and is bordered by a picturesque dam. This is followed by a portage section toward Cima Terre Fredde. Although the actual summit is only accessible on foot, it rewards you with a breathtaking panorama of the Adamello Group, Lombardy, and Trentino.

Then comes the grand finale: the descent. With a mix of difficulty levels ranging from S2 to S3, the route winds downhill with significant elevation loss, through tricky key sections. Following former military trails, you circle the entire mountain, with the descent demanding full concentration and certainly draining your energy reserves. At an altitude of just under 1,000 meters above sea level, you turn left onto the cart track, cover a few more meters on gravel, before the final trail shortcuts lead back to Badetto. From there, you ride leisurely along the bike path beside the Fiume Oglio back to the starting point.

Overall, this is a very long and impressive tour that includes a technically challenging descent. This excursion should only be undertaken in stable weather conditions and by riders with excellent physical fitness and advanced riding skills. Please note that the entire route is located in a high-alpine area. Weather conditions may affect the difficulty of the trails, and some sections may be temporarily impassable.

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