Monte Baldo to Monte Altissimo

Monte Baldo 1752m -> Bocca di Navene 1425m -> Monte Laste 1941m -> Monte Altissimo 2079m -> Refugio Graziani 1650m -> Bocca di Navene 1425m ->Monte Baldo 1752m
17.5 km, 1000m up & down

A long hike to one of the highest peaks in the region, Monte Altissimo, 2079m.

I was a bit skeptical when Philippe said he would come along and particularly when he planned to schlep around his airplanes 800m of altitude up and down, which, in the end, turned out to be about 1000m. I am a hard-core hiker and walk this distance and height once a while, but not with a 10kg bag containing, among others two inconvenient 1.5m wings! It is rather a crazy attempt, I thought. But he was ready and passionate enough, so off we went.

Philippe at the trailhead, feeling fresh and full of energy!

First, we went up to 1752m by a tele-cabin to Monte Baldo (no sweat : ), then on foot down to Bocca di Navene, 1425m. The first part was a wide-open path but soon lead into a hiking path in the forest. The tree branches hanged so low that Philippe had to carry his 2-meter long airplane bag sideways on the rather slippery rocky path.

In the forest of Bocca Nabene: the tree branches hanged so low that Philippe had to carry his planes sideways.

After a short break at the friendly restaurant at Bocca di Navene, the 600m ascent waited for us.

A short car road and then up again into the low-hanging forest path. The same exercise: Philippe carried his bag sideways and braved up to the rather steep hill.  We could see soon the open area of 45-degree slope of grass and scattered rocks. It is sunny Sunday and lots of rather loud-speaking Italian hikers are on the path as well.

On the slope of Mt. Laste

We are walking along a cliff that drops straight down to the Lake Garda, fantastic views as a reward for the effort.

At Mount Laste Philippe found a good spot and wind and decided to test his airplane Shinto (a crazy Japanese name for an airplane!).  It was not bad apparently but the scattered stones made his airplane landing rather unsafe.

“Shinto J” on Monte Laste.

After a simple cheese-bread sandwich on the slope, we decided to go up to Mt. Altissimo. Relatively soon we were on the large boulder of Mt. Altissimo and joined a lot of hikers who came from the opposite direction – where the car park isn’t far.

We enjoyed a sweeping view of Lake Garda (but not Dolomitens, due to the clouds) and had to head back down because Philippe thought that we otherwise may miss the last tele-cabin back down to Malescine!

At the top of Monte Altissima

Our way back was not easy. 800m down and then again the last stretch of 300m uphill again!

Uff…