Monte Bondone

2,180 m

Italy

Also known as Monte Cornetto, Монте-Бондоне

Monte Cornetto · Монте-Бондоне

Elevation: 2,180 m
Prominence: 1,679 m
Difficulty: 3/10; Mountain hike
Best Season: Jun–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

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SACT3HikeNormal route

Sources differ: E (itineraridimontagna.it, lagodigardaescursioni.it (CAI scale))

The standard ascent of Trento's mountain: from the Viote plateau (about 1,550 m) on SAT path 607 past the Malga Fragari pastures and up the north ridge (Costa dei Cavai) to the summit of Cornetto (2,180 m). About 630 m of ascent and 2–2¼ hours up, with a few short hands-on steps at the top. Often combined with Dosso d'Abramo and Cima Verde as the Tre Cime loop.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 4.7 km; one way
Ascent: +650 m; start → summit
High Point: 2,180 m
Time Up: 2h 48m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 1h 57m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Start from the car park by Rifugio Viote and the cross-country ski centre on the Viote plateau (about 1,540–1,560 m), reached by road from Trento via Vaneze and Vason. Follow SAT path 607 signed for Monte Cornetto, past the Terrazza delle Stelle observatory, across the meadows and past the former Malga Fragari. Above the pastures the path enters the Costa dei Cavai and climbs the north ridge alongside the Val del Merlo; it steepens, with occasional steps, but stays straightforward. An alternative start follows the gravel road to the Bocca di Vaiona (about 1,700 m) and joins 607 by path 618. About 2 hours from the start the path reaches the junction for Cornetto, La Becca and Cima Verde just below the summit. Leave the main path, which contours round the top, and climb left up the buttress in a few zigzags, with a couple of very short easy hand-on-rock moves, to the summit at 2,180 m, about 15 minutes from the junction. The view takes in the Brenta, Adamello, Paganella, Lessinia, Monte Baldo, Carega and Lagorai. Descend the same way (about 1½ hours), or make the Tre Cime loop: continue on path 636 past Dosso d'Abramo (2,140 m) to Cima Verde (2,102 m) and descend steeply to the mouth of the Val del Merlo and back across the Viote meadows, about 5 hours, 850 m and 12 km in all. The summits lie in a strict nature reserve, so stay on the marked paths; there are no huts or water on the upper route.

Start

Rifugio Viote1,544 m

Trentino Trasporti buses run from Trento up Monte Bondone to the Viote area; check the current timetable.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Rifugio Viote → Monte Bondone - Cornetto	4.7	650	18	2h 48m

Waypoints

Parking:
Rifugio Viote1,544 m
Waypoint:
Terrazza delle Stelle1,563 m
Waypoint:
Malga Fragari1,571 m
Shoulder:
Costa dei Cavai1,796 m
Summit:
Monte Bondone - Cornetto2,180 m

Key Passages

Costa dei Cavai north ridge
Short buttress with easy hands-on steps below the summit

Equipment

0/6 packed

Technical

Microspikes or crampons and ice axewinter and spring: the steep slope from about 2,000 m is delicate on hard snowRecommended
Via ferrata set and helmetonly if combining with the Sparavei or Dosso d'Abramo via ferrata sectionsRecommended

Safety

Sun protectionRequired

Footwear

Hiking bootsRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layersexposed open ridge; afternoon thunderstorms in summerRequired

Other

Waterno water or huts above the VioteRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

Trento's own mountain: a broad limestone massif between the Adige and Sarca valleys whose highest point, Cornetto (2,180 m), is an easy half-day walk from the Viote plateau. An ultra-prominent peak with a wide view over the Brenta, Adamello and Dolomites.

Monte Bondone rises directly west of Trento, between the Adige valley to the east and the Sarca valley to the west, and is the highest summit of the Garda Prealps. With about 1,680 m of prominence it is one of the Alps' ultra-prominent peaks, yet its top is among the most accessible: a road climbs from the city through the Vaneze and Vason ski areas to the Viote, a high plateau of meadows and peat bog at about 1,550 m.

Above the Viote stand the Tre Cime, three summits of fossil-rich Jurassic and Cretaceous limestone: Cornetto (2,180 m, the highest), Dosso d'Abramo (2,140 m) and Cima Verde (2,102 m). The glacial valley between the plateau and the summits is a strict nature reserve, founded in 1968, known for its alpine flora (including endemics such as Paederota bonarota and Physoplexis comosa) and for black grouse, capercaillie and chamois.

The usual ascent is a well-marked walk of about 630 m from the Viote, and many walkers make a loop over all three summits. Steeper alternatives with short via ferrata sections (Sparavei, Dosso d'Abramo) exist, and the mountain is a popular winter snowshoe and ski-touring objective from the plateau.

Climbing Notes

Any reasonably fit walker can reach Cornetto in about 2–2¼ hours from the Viote; the only hands-on moves are a few short steps just below the top. The full Tre Cime loop takes about 5 hours with 850 m of ascent, and the descent from Cima Verde is steep in places. Carry water: there is none on the upper route and no hut above the Viote.

June is the classic month for the flowers; July and August bring afternoon thunderstorms, so start early. In winter the north ridge is a popular snowshoe route, but the steep slope from about 2,000 m becomes delicate on hard snow, and the steep flanks of the summits can avalanche. Stay on the marked paths inside the reserve. Maps: Tabacco 055 or Kompass 687.

Season

Best Jun–Sep

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Possible
December: Possible

Jan: Snowshoe or ski-touring ascent; check avalanche bulletin and take crampons for hard snow
Feb: Winter conditions; snowshoe ascent possible
Mar: Winter to spring snow
Apr: Patchy snow on the ridge
May: Usually snow-free by late May
Jun: Best for flowers in the reserve
Jul: Start early; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug: Busy at weekends
Sep: Stable weather, clear views
Oct: Good in dry weather; short days
Nov: Possible early snow
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Rules

The summits and the valley above the Viote lie in the Riserva Naturale Integrale delle Tre Cime di Monte Bondone (strict nature reserve, Autonomous Province of Trento); stay on the marked paths and check the reserve's permitted activities before off-trail or winter use

Getting There

Trento

Verona Villafranca (VRN)

By car: from Trento up the Monte Bondone road via Sardagna or Sopramonte, Vaneze and Vason to the Viote car park
By bus: Trentino Trasporti buses run from Trento to Monte Bondone; trentino.com notes a public bus connection to the Viote

Hazards

Weather
Exposure
Avalanche