Stage seven: Madonna di Campiglio - Molveno

05.09.2021

HELLO BRENTA!

After we thought the little streak of bad luck was over, we treated ourselves to a delicious breakfast. It did me so good to slowly return to Italy, to feel the culture and way of life again, and above all: to hear this beautiful language as a normal sound everywhere. Accordingly, breakfast again consisted of all sorts of delicious cakes, quiches, delicious and fresh cheese and cold cuts, but there was also some continental food. When checking out, we unfortunately had to realize that breakfast - although booked through booking - was apparently not included in the price. So the streak continued... But the price was ultimately okay and after I fell on the only step from the breakfast to the outside of the hotel, we could finally start and the day had to be good!

So we went to the gondola across the street and were treated to a breathtaking ride through the first mountains of the Brenta. In between, we felt like on Table Mountain before returning to a short gravel field, which took us to the beautiful and unique landscape of the Brenta after a very short time: bright green moss-covered and overgrown limestone as far as the eye can see. And I can tell you, they are delicious too, because after a short time my face also made acquaintance with the ground when pebbles and shoes simply didn't want to stay together. Jonas' shoes seem to be simply better because a second before he slipped exactly where I asked him during my flight if everything was okay. But apart from a small scratch on the glasses, a slightly bent temple, and a few scrapes on the legs, everything is fine. What an advantage that the Brenta is more extensive than high, at least at this point.

In addition to the shoes, which may be renewed for the next tour, I slowly had to realize that a new backpack would not be a bad idea either, because mine has already caused extreme abrasions and back pain, which is why Jona spontaneously made a backpack exchange. Better!

After the beautiful morning sun, a real fog field suddenly appeared behind the next hill, and we put on long clothes. In doing so, we met two guys in their mid-20s from Andalo and walked a bit further with them. That was a pretty nice change and we talked a bit. After a short time, they took a break and we continued alone.

Then our ascent followed. Firstly, that meant 'just' uphill. Then a very special section came and we could - already close to via ferrata - climb into the rocks, which both of us really enjoyed and was a special experience! Although in between, it was occasionally - mom and dad, please just skip the next words ;p - somewhat intimidating!

From above, we could see Lake Molveno for the first time as a whole and had our destination in front of us. As we started the descent, we once again realized that descents are not very cool. But it could also be because it felt like going straight down on gravel, so we could only walk very slowly, and what was in front of us couldn't really be called a path. In addition, we got a little rain for the first time and the stones became really slippery. So we were both very happy that there is a gondola for the last part of the stage, but we had to hope that it was also running and didn't want to celebrate too early.

At the end of the descent, we were overtaken by quite fit people in their mid-60s - who also knew their way around - and got into conversation with them. The first pleasing thing was that they assumed the cable car would be running, which absolutely delighted our mood. Then it got really crazy again and they asked where we come from, to which we cautiously answered Aquisgrana, i.e. near Cologne. They then told us that they had had an exchange student from Aachen, or rather Würselen. Suddenly we were completely stunned and wondered how small the world is!

Fortunately, we were actually confirmed that the lift and gondola were running and we went through the beautiful afternoon sun over a bike park - so a verrrry good view for Jona - to the valley. From there, we walked a bit through the village to the Garni. Molveno is very touristy, but we both liked it a lot because it is very well maintained and still consists largely of typical architecture and beautiful nature. Our Garni was also super cute and the owner was a very friendly and helpful person. I really liked it here! Plus, there was tea in the room, and after a nice shower, we enjoyed a cup of tea.

After that, we went back to town for a while and, on the recommendation of the Garni owner, went to a tavern where there were about 285 pizzas. But the tavern was super super cute, with old beer barrels and in a vault, good music, and incredibly good Italian pizza!

Back again, it was back to the seriousness of the route. We had to plan the next steps. Actually, the next stage would be to a rifugio, from where the last stage, consisting entirely of descent, would go down to Riva. But for that, we would have needed a transfer again, which was simply not possible without a taxi. After a long back and forth, pondering, changing plans, observing the weather, and searching for alternative routes, we finally decided to walk a stage along the lake to Sarche tomorrow and find the end of our tour there. Although it was difficult for both of us to not be able to walk the route as planned in the end, it was still preferable to make a beautiful and complete finish rather than forcing anything just to stay as close as possible to the original route.

For us, it was today (including cable car rides)

07:17 a.m.

22.2 km

1,530 m uphill, 2,340 m downhill

Maximum altitude 2,490 m

Minimum altitude 880 m

through the mountains.