Tour of the 5 lakes | Madonna di Campiglio

The Five Lakes Tour is one of the classic hikes of Madonna di Campiglio, a demanding circular route that unfolds along the slopes of the Presanella Group, among landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers and crystal‑clear alpine lakes. The loop takes about 6 hours and touches the lakes of Ritorto, Lambin, Nero, Gelato, Serodoli and Nambino—six glacial basins sharing the same rugged nature and striking high‑mountain setting.

The trail follows the natural amphitheatre that separates the Val Nambrone from the Presanella glaciers, an area that today appears silent and pristine but was once the scene of fierce battles during the White War (1915–1918). Numerous wartime relics have been recovered from the lakebeds during dedicated research campaigns, offering a poignant reminder of that dramatic period.

Route Description

The hike starts at the Patascoss parking area, then follows the forest road uphill through the woods, passing Baita Casinel and reaching Rifugio Pancugolo, located next to the upper station of the 5 Laghi gondola (which can be taken from the centre of Madonna di Campiglio to shorten the ascent).

Behind the hut, a nearly level path leads to Lake Ritorto, which can also be reached from Malga Ritorto via the scenic “Cantoni di Ritorto”.

From the lake, the trail climbs northwards to Passo di Ritorto. Skipping the turnoff to Lake Nambino, the route continues to the more secluded Lake Lambin, then rises along the ridge overlooking Val Nambino before descending to the spectacular Lake Serodoli. From the lake’s outlet, a short climb past a small bivouac leads to the nearby Lake Gelato.

Returning to Lake Serodoli, the trail descends to the small Lake Nero. Shortly after, a junction appears: keep left on trail 266 towards the Busa dei Cavai, then continue downhill to Lake Nambino and its well‑known mountain hut.

Near the lake, a right‑hand path traverses the eastern slopes of Monte Pancugolo, eventually returning to the starting point at Patascoss.