The Peace Trail starts with a stage that is anything but trivial, due to elevation changes and terrain type, capable of offering stunning landscapes and adrenaline, thanks to the highest passages of the entire route (reaching 3000 meters altitude). Not to be underestimated!
After visiting the Military Memorial, built in 1936 dedicated to soldiers fallen during the war, follow SAT trail 281 “Alveo Presena” and reach Passo Paradiso at 2,590 meters altitude. Here, it is possible to visit the Paradiso Gallery, a long cave carved into granite that once served as shelter for soldiers besieged by frost, storms, and artillery. Now the gallery hosts a multimedia exhibition telling the life of soldiers on the glacier front. Then skirting the largest of the Monticello lakes, continue towards the Capanna Presena refuge (2,753 m). From there, with a comfortable cable car, reach Passo Presena, continuing beyond which, via trail 209, you descend down to Lago Scuro and reach in 20 minutes the Mandron refuge - City of Trento (2,442 m).
The Peace Trail is a high route, not a simple walk: it therefore requires proper preparation and experience. If you are a beginner, rely on a guide!
Before leaving, carefully read our advice on mountain safety.
The Peace Trail starts from Passo del Tonale, which marks the geological boundary between the Ortles-Cevedale group and the Adamello-Presanella group, as well as the administrative boundary between Lombardy and Trentino.
From the San Bartolomeo Parish, we take the dirt road, steadily climbing. After about 1 km, it is possible to cut a hairpin bend through a well-marked path. We thus gain altitude; before our eyes, to the south, rise the black and very steep walls of Pizzo Cercen, Cima Busazza, and Cima Presena. Reaching a junction (km 3.8 of the track), we keep right, entering a path that runs along the northern side of a plateau. We then start climbing again along a clear trail, with a constant but never excessive slope, alongside a stream, surrounded by rhododendrons. To our right run the steep ridges of Monticello.
Coming into view of the head of the valley, we notice ahead the remains of an Austrian military village, overwhelmed by a terrible avalanche on the night of Saint Lucia in 1916. With a series of hairpins, we pass a scree field until we reach the head of the valley, near the military ruins. From there, contouring, we arrive on a comfortable flat trail at Passo Paradiso (2575 m), characterized by the Monticello small lakes and the imposing cable car. Near the latter is a former military tunnel, now used as an interactive museum of the White War. In front stands Passo Presena, with what remains of its glacier, covered by protective tarpaulins to delay melting (thus allowing skiing). From here, to continue, there are several options: the via ferrata Sentiero dei Fiori, which runs along the Lagoscuro ridge, or the cable car leading up to Passo Presena, if the Sentiero dei Fiori is beyond one’s capabilities, or in case of bad weather or residual snowfields.
Reaching Passo Presena (2990 m) by cable car, the view embraces the Mandrone Glacier, divided by the sharp Lobbie ridge; in the distance, Adamello (3539 m) is visible. After admiring the panorama, the descent begins, initially on a scree field, walking a trail first traversing southwest (it may be necessary to cross residual snowfields, which require caution) that intercepts the track descending from Passo di Lago Scuro (and thus the Sentiero dei Fiori) and from Passo Maroccaro. Skirting Lago Scuro, the descent continues again, immersed in a wild and very suggestive environment (the waterfalls descending from the glacier are very beautiful), until reaching the beautiful Mandron refuge - City of Trento (2445 m), surrounded by small, pleasant lakes.
You can reach Passo del Tonale with the Trentino Trasporti regular bus (download outbound and return timetables).
Follow the SS42 until you reach the town of Passo del Tonale, and just after the Grand Hotel Miramonti, you will find the Military Memorial from where the hike starts.
You can leave your car in the free parking lot in front of the Sporthotel Vittoria, or in the paid parking immediately adjacent to the Military Memorial.
Trekking only for experienced hikers equipped with helmet, harness and via ferrata set. Waterproof, light, and warm clothing (it is recommended a first layer in contact with the skin in polypropylene, a second insulating layer in fleece or wool, and a third waterproof layer such as a nylon or goretex windbreaker, long trousers), trekking boots (avoid sneakers), gloves, hat, minimum spare clothing, backpack and water bottle, personal sleeping bag liner. For details on proper equipment to wear to hike this itinerary, click here.
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