Monte Caplone
1,976 m
Italy
Also known as Cima delle GuardieAlso known as
Cima delle Guardie
- Elevation
- 1,976 m
- Prominence
- 1,234 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: E (Italian hiking scale) (VieNormali.it; cristianriva.it; SAT Mori)
A marked mountain walk from the thatched hamlet of Cima Rest (about 1,250 m) above Magasa in Valvestino: forest path 66 to the First World War military road on the Tombea ridge, through a short tunnel to Bocca di Campei (about 1,840 m), then a short climb over grass and small rocks to the summit. About 700 m of ascent and 3 hours up.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +811 m
- −157 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,976 m
- Time Up
- 3h 37m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 45m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park in the open area in front of the Alpini chapel at Cima Rest (about 1,250 m), reached by road from Gargnano on Lake Garda via Lake Valvestino, or from Idro via Capovalle. Follow the concrete road up between barns and haylofts to Malga Alvezza (about 1,265 m), then path 66, which makes a long rising diagonal through beech forest before turning north onto open pasture. At about 1,800 m the path meets the First World War mule track that links Bocca di Cablone with Bocca di Campei along the Tombea–Caplone ridge. Turn right and follow it, passing through a short tunnel, to Bocca di Campei (about 1,840 m). Leave the track there and climb right on waymarks over grass and small rock steps to the summit; the few rocky steps can be bypassed on a grassy trace. Allow about 3 hours up. Descend the same way (about 2 hours), or make a loop: back along the military road to Malga Tombea, with a 10–20 minute detour to Cima Tombea (1,950 m), then either straight down to Malga Alvezza or the long way round via Bocca di Cablone and the forest roads to Cima Rest. Loops via Tombea take 5½–7 hours. The ridge is lined with trenches, gun positions and cave shelters of the Italian last line of defence in the First World War.
Start
Cima Rest1,323 m
- No practical public transport to Cima Rest was found; access is by car via Gargnano and Lake Valvestino or via Idro and Capovalle
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cima Rest → Monte Caplone | 4.9 | 811 | 157 | 3h 37m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Cima Rest1,323 m
- Feature: Malga Alvezza1,268 m
- Col: Bocca di Campei1,860 m
- Summit: Monte Caplone1,976 m
Key Passages
- Short WWI tunnel on the military road
- Grassy and rocky final slope above Bocca di Campei
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The highest summit of the mountains west of Lake Garda (1,976 m), a grassy and rocky top on the Lombardy–Trentino boundary above the remote Valvestino. A marked half-day walk from Cima Rest on First World War mule tracks, with views over Lake Garda, Monte Baldo and the Adamello.
Monte Caplone, also called Cima delle Guardie, rises at the north end of the Valvestino, between Lake Garda to the east and Lake Idro to the west. It is the highest point of the Alto Garda Bresciano and of the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano area, though the summit itself lies on the regional boundary with Trentino (Ledro). Its neighbour, Cima Tombea (1,950 m), is linked to it by a broad ridge of pasture and limestone.
The usual start is Cima Rest, a small summer settlement of the commune of Magasa known for its thatched haylofts. From there the climb is a straightforward walk of about 700 m on forest paths and old military roads, with only a few easy rock steps near the top. The 360-degree view takes in Lake Garda, Monte Baldo, Pasubio, the Brenta Dolomites, the Ledro mountains, Adamello and Presanella.
The Tombea–Caplone ridge was fortified in the First World War as a rear line; trenches, gun emplacements, cave shelters and a short road tunnel remain. The Tombea area is also known for its botanical richness and has been called a 'garden of the Alps'.
Climbing Notes
A half-day walk for anyone used to marked mountain paths: about 700 m of ascent from Cima Rest, 3 hours up and 5 hours round trip, or 5½–7 hours for the loop over Cima Tombea and Bocca di Cablone. No technical skills are needed in summer. Carry water, as there is no reliable source on the ridge, and a headlamp if you want to look into the wartime galleries.
The road to Cima Rest is long and narrow; allow 45–60 minutes from Gargnano. The mountain can be climbed in most seasons, but in winter snow covers the upper slopes and the final steep grass becomes slippery or icy, so microspikes or crampons are then needed. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
History
During the First World War the ridge was held by the Italian 7th Bersaglieri Regiment as a final barrier protecting the Po plain in case of an Austro-Hungarian breakthrough; the mule tracks and fortifications used by today's paths date from that period. According to local legend the name Tombea, 'place of the tombs', comes from a shepherd from Storo who falsely swore that the slopes were his and was swallowed by the earth.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter conditions; snow on the upper slopes; access road may be icy
- Feb
- Winter conditions
- Mar
- Lingering snow on the north side
- Apr
- Snow patches possible on the ridge
- Jun
- Alpine flowers on the Tombea ridge
- Jul
- Hot at lower levels; afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Afternoon thunderstorms
- Oct
- Beech forests in autumn colour
- Nov
- Short days; first snow possible
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Rules
- The area lies in the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano regional park; follow park rules and stay on paths
- Getting There
Magasa (Valvestino); Gargnano on Lake Garda
Verona Villafranca (VRN)
- Car: from Gargnano on Lake Garda up the Valvestino road along Lake Valvestino towards Magasa, then to Cima Rest
- Car: from Idro (Valsabbia) via Capovalle, keeping left for Magasa and Cima Rest
- No practical public transport to Cima Rest was found
Hazards
- Weather