Monte Sobretta

3,296 m

Italy

Elevation: 3,296 m
Prominence: 836 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jul–Aug
Routes: 1

Routes

3D Preview

SACT2HikeNormal route

Sources differ: E (CAI) (appenninista.it)

The easiest way onto a 3,000 m summit in the Ortler Alps: about 1,050 m from Ponte dell'Alpe on the Gavia road, first on a track and path (S519) to the Laghetto dell'Alpe, then on cairned scree and moraine to the summit cross. No glacier and no scrambling in summer, but snowfields can linger on the upper slopes into August.

Elevation Profile

approximate line

Distance: 7.8 km; one way
Ascent: +1,014 m; start → summit
High Point: 3,296 m
Time Up: 4h 23m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 3h 02m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Start at Ponte dell'Alpe (about 2,290 m), 7 km above Santa Caterina Valfurva on the SS300 road to the Passo Gavia. On the uphill side of the bridge take the dirt track that climbs to the right (waymark S519, signed Laghetto dell'Alpe and Monte Sobretta), through a small marble gorge. At a junction near 2,400 m ignore the branch to the Passo dell'Alpe; at the next fork leave the track (which continues to Sunny Valley) for a grassy path past the Grotta Edelweiss, a cave used as a shelter in the First World War, to the Laghetto dell'Alpe (about 2,740 m), 1¼–1½ hours from the start. The path is also part of the Sentiero Italia. From the lake the route is marked mainly by cairns. A steep scree bank leads to a gravel shelf (about 2,800 m), then a hump near 2,950 m with a milky glacial pond, and the final basin below the summit ridge at about 3,140 m. A series of steeper zigzags reaches the summit cross; the actual highest point is a rocky hump a few tens of metres further along the ridge. Allow 3¼–3¾ hours up and descend the same way. The terrain is open and not exposed, but the upper half is loose and tiring, and navigation needs care in fog because the cairns are sparse. Snowfields on the final slopes can last into August and may need crampons and an ice axe early in the season. In summer the Santa Caterina gondola (two sections, to Plaghera and then to Vallalpe/Sunny Valley at about 2,700 m) cuts the ascent to about 700 m: from the top station a signed path joins this route at the Laghetto dell'Alpe in 20–25 minutes.

Start

Ponte dell'Alpe2,292 m

Santa Caterina–Plaghera–Vallalpe (Sunny Valley) gondola, summer only (4 July – 6 September in 2026)
Train to Tirano and bus to Bormio, then local bus to Santa Caterina Valfurva; no confirmed bus to Ponte dell'Alpe. In summer the Santa Caterina gondola reaches Sunny Valley (about 2,700 m), joining the route at the Laghetto dell'Alpe.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Ponte dell'Alpe → Monte Sobretta	7.8	1,014	13	4h 23m

Waypoints

Parking:
Ponte dell'Alpe2,292 m
Waypoint:
Laghetto dell'Alpe2,733 m
Junction with the path from the Sunny Valley lift station
Summit:
Monte Sobretta3,296 m

Key Passages

Steep scree bank above the Laghetto dell'Alpe
Cairned moraine basin below the summit ridge
Final zigzags to the summit cross

Equipment

0/6 packed

Technical

Crampons and ice axesnowfields on the upper slopes in June and July, sometimes into AugustRecommended

Safety

Sun protectionRequired

Footwear

Hiking boots with good soleslong sections of loose scree and broken rockRequired

Clothing

Waterproof and warm layerssummit at 3,300 m; cold wind and afternoon stormsRequired

Navigation

Map or GPS trackthe upper half is marked only by cairns; difficult in fogRecommended

Other

Trekking polesuseful on the scree descentRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

Download GPX Download KML

Overview

A broad 3,296 m summit between Bormio and the Gavia Pass, and one of the easiest 3,000 m peaks of the Ortler Alps: a waymarked track and cairned scree lead to the top in about 3½ hours, with a wide view of the Ortler–Cevedale group.

Monte Sobretta is the high point of the small Sobretta–Gavia group, the southern outlier of the Ortler Alps, rising between the Valdisotto, the Valfurva and the road to the Passo Gavia above Santa Caterina. From the north it shows a ridge of dark, broken rock with small remnant ice fields; the southern side above the Valle dell'Alpe is a long staircase of pasture, moraine and scree.

The normal route starts high, at about 2,290 m on the Gavia road, so the climb is about 1,050 m, with no glacier and no scrambling in summer. The lower half follows a track and a marked path past the Laghetto dell'Alpe; the upper half is cairned scree and moraine, loose but not exposed. The summit gives a close view of the Ortler, Gran Zebrù and Cevedale and south to the Adamello. In summer a gondola from Santa Caterina to Sunny Valley shortens the ascent to about 700 m, and the local lift company runs guided summit walks on some Saturdays.

In winter and spring the Sobretta is a popular ski-touring summit, from Santa Caterina via the Valle dell'Alpe or from the Bormio side through the Valle di Sobretta.

Climbing Notes

In summer this is a long but straightforward mountain walk for fit hikers: 1,050 m of ascent at altitudes between 2,300 and 3,300 m, about 3½ hours up and 2–2½ hours down. Sure footing on loose scree matters more than any technique. The upper part is marked only by cairns, so carry a map or GPS track and turn back in fog. Snowfields on the final slopes can last into August; early in the season carry crampons and an ice axe or wait until they melt. Start early, because afternoon thunderstorms are common and there is no shelter above the Laghetto dell'Alpe.

Using the Santa Caterina gondola (summer only) to Sunny Valley cuts the climb to about 700 m and makes the peak a half-day outing. Winter ascents are ski tours and need avalanche equipment and judgement.

Season

Best Jul–Aug

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Not advisable
June: Possible
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Good
October: Possible
November: Not advisable
December: Not advisable

Jan: Ski touring only; avalanche risk
Feb: Ski touring only; avalanche risk
Mar: Classic ski-touring season
Apr: Spring ski tours
May: Gavia road usually still closed; rotten snow
Jun: Extensive snow on the upper slopes
Jul: Gondola to Sunny Valley runs from early July; snowfields above 2,900 m
Aug: Main season; afternoon thunderstorms
Sep: Gondola stops in early September; usually snow-free
Oct: Early snow possible; road conditions vary
Nov: Winter conditions
Dec: Winter conditions; early-season avalanche risk

Access & Permits

Fees

Santa Caterina gondola, summer 2026: EUR 19 one way or EUR 25 return for adults to Vallalpe (Sunny Valley); lifts may close without notice in storms

Rules

The mountain lies in Stelvio National Park; stay on paths and follow park rules on camping, dogs and drones

Getting There

Santa Caterina Valfurva (Bormio for wider services)

Milan Bergamo (BGY)

Car: from Bormio up the Valfurva to Santa Caterina, then 7 km on the SS300 towards the Passo Gavia to Ponte dell'Alpe (about 2,290 m), where cars are parked by the road
The Gavia road above Santa Caterina is closed in winter and usually opens in late spring or early summer
Public transport: train from Milan to Tirano, bus to Bormio and on to Santa Caterina Valfurva
Summer lift: Santa Caterina–Plaghera–Vallalpe gondola, daily 09:30–16:30 from 4 July to 6 September 2026

Hazards

Weather
Avalanche