1. South Tyrol
  2. Ulten Valley
  3. Loop trail with hike up to Mount Luco in the Maddalena Group

Loop trail with hike up to Mount Luco in the Maddalena Group

Mountain Hiking 39010 U.L.Frau i.W.-St.Felix / Senale-S.Felice
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Duration 4.5 h

Distance 9.0 km

Ascend 920 hm

Descent 920 hm

Max. height 2432 m

Loop trail with hike up to Mount Luco in the Maddalena Group - Description

The beginning is steep but once you get past the vegetation the gradient drops and the trail leads up to Lake Luco and the beautiful ridge amid rocks and pastures.
Mount Luco (2433 m a.s.l.) is the eastern peak of the Maddalena chain. It is rather isolated and located approximately 2km to the West of the Palade Pass. The climb up the mountain is medium difficulty and it is one of the most classic excursions in Val di Non. Lake Luco, the variety of landscapes and the spectacular view afforded at the peak and on the ridge make this itinerary particularly popular among the locals especially.
The loop trail has a very steep start along the "diretta" (literally the straight) as the locals call it. Once you get past the vegetation the gradient becomes gentler and the trail leads up to Luco Lake and onto the beautiful ridge amid rocks and pastures. Some handrails and wooden steps facilitate the climb and the arrival at the top with the view of Val di Non, Val d'Ultimo and Val Venosta makes the uphill section worthwhile. The descent along the gentle grassy ridge towards the South is a genuine pleasure and just before returning to the Palade Pass, it will be worth your while stopping off at the cosy Malga Luco / Laugenalm.

Directions

  • Start

    Palade Pass

    Difficulty: EE (expert hikers)
    The itinerary starts at the Palade Pass (Gampenpass) which is easy to reach from Fondo, if you are arriving from Val di Non, or from Lana if you are arriving from South Tyrol, along the Strada Statale N. 238 state road.
    From the Palade Pass, take the forest road and after the first bend, follow trail marker 133 on the right that climbs steeply and with steps into the thick woods. The trail is immediately tiring but it subsequently flattens out along a short section of the forest road, at the end of which you follow trail marker 133 and climb back up into the steep woods. After a series of steps and small bends, you will finally leave the vegetation behind and find yourselves surrounded by rhododendrons. After crossing a scree and climbing up a ramp, you will finally reach Mount Luco Lake, a graceful stretch of water where it is worth stopping and freshening up.
    Now proceed to the left towards the nearby ridge, and once you have reached it, follow it up on the right along trail maker no. 10. The ridge features some delicate and sometimes exposed sections. Moreover, comfortable wooden steps with a handrail have been built to facilitate you passage between the large boulders. The climb is challenging but the view of the cross makes all the effort worthwhile. The view from the summit ranges from Val di Non, to Val d'Adige and Val d'Ultimo.
    After resting and signing the summit book, continue along the ridge towards the South, following trail marker 8A first, followed by 10. This will take you to the welcoming Malga Luco, where you can enjoy a delicious slice of apple strudel or a hearty platter of cold cuts. From the Malga, continue your descent through pastures along a small trail that crosses the forest road leading back to the Palade Pass and the car park.

  • end point

    Palade Pass

required equipment

Trekking poles may be useful to assist you along the steeper sections. Always wear warm clothing, a jacket and bring a spare shirt.

Tips for the tour

Hikers wishing to avoid the steep climb from the Palade Pass to the peak along trail 133 Bonacossa can choose to follow the forest road up to Malga Luco and then follow trail 10 towards Luco Lake. Just before you reach the lake, follow trail 10 again as it climbs up the ridge to the summit.

Difficulty

  • Difficulty

    Difficult

  • Fitness

  • Technique

  • Experience

  • Landscape

Recommended season

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • Mar.
  • Apr.
  • May
  • Jun.
  • Jul.
  • Aug.
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.

Directions

self-arranged arrival
From Fondo in Val di Non follow the signs to Merano / Passo Palade all the way to the pass.
There is plenty of parking at the Palade Pass.

public transport
The line 246 bus from the SAD transport company connects the Palade Pass with Merano and Fondo. You can download a pdf of the timetable here: SAD line 246.

Interesting things nearby

The Loop trail with hike up to Mount Luco in the Maddalena Group tour starts in U.L.Frau i.W.-St.Felix / Senale-S.Felice.

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