Charming medium-high difficulty hike crossing different environments: from the majestic Saént Waterfalls, to the Dorigoni Refuge, up to the fascinating Sternai Lakes, small gems of crystal-clear water nestled in the Ortles-Cevedale group.
Hike in the heart of the Stelvio National Park, rich in various floral and woodland species. The route first leads to the Saént Silvio Dorigoni Refuge and then to the nearby Lower Sternai Lake (2595 m). We recommend extending the route by about an hour and a half, making a circuit of all the Sternai Lakes: the wide mountain environment, the silence and peace at this altitude, and the panoramas of the peaks all around make this itinerary a gem of Val di Rabbi that you absolutely cannot miss.
To take on a mountain hike we suggest you:
From the parking lot at Coler (1380 m), about 3 kilometers beyond the village of Piazzola, walk to Malga Stablasolo (1539 m). Continue further and after about 200 meters you will find a fork: trail 106 with signs for Rifugio Dorigoni goes left, while the right trail allows you to make a detour to the Saent Waterfalls. This second option extends the walk by about 15 minutes but is worth it; the two trails rejoin further up, above the waterfalls.
Faithfully following the 106 trail marker to the left, you pass through the Stablet Visitor Center, where the actual trail begins. You gradually gain altitude until you cross the "Prà di Saent" with its characteristic mountain hut. Continue always on trail 106 and you will enter the evocative valley of the Rabbies Stream, characterized by green meadows and an abundance of brooks and streams. Alternatively, to the left of the hut, you can take the Monumental Larches Trail, where the history and features of these centuries-old larches are explained on informative signs. The path continues ascending with a steady slope until you reach the Saent Dorigoni Refuge at 2436 meters.
At the refuge, looking north (behind the refuge), you notice the looming peak of Cima Sternai. After a well-deserved rest, leave the refuge to follow the well-marked trail that climbs to the Sternai Lakes heading northeast. From the refuge, follow the signs "Lakes and Peaks Sternai" and quickly reach the first lake at 2596 m, an enchanting and scenic spot. The marked path ends here, but we recommend you allocate another generous hour to make a circuit of all the lakes and return to the refuge. For the return, retrace the same route back to the parking lot.
You can reach Val di Rabbi by Trentino Trasporti line bus from Malè (download departure timetable and return timetable) up to the Rabbi Bagni stop. From here, reach Coler in about 40 minutes on foot or, in summer, with Stelviobus Rabbi.
Travel along SS42 to the village of Caldes and at the roundabout take the third exit (coming from Trento). Shortly after, take the right fork for Val di Rabbi and continue along Via Nazionale to the roundabout. Take the second exit and follow SP86 until you reach the right turn for Piazzola. Continue on this road until you reach the locality Coler.
In summer, Val di Rabbi is closed to traffic. Leave your car in the Plaze dei Forni parking lots and continue to Coler with the shuttle bus Stelviobus Rabbi.
Leave your car in the paid parking lot in Coler.
If traffic is closed, park in Plaze dei Forni and continue with the shuttle bus Stelviobus Rabbi.
To tackle a mountain hike it is always useful to:
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