Crossing the Brenta Dolomites, Trentino: from Molveno to Madonna di Campiglio via Malga Spora

Start from the top station of the cable car that goes from Molveno up to the Altopiano di Pradel tableland (open every day from the last week in May to the end of September and at weekends from the beginning of May and in the first three weeks of October (check times and dates by phoning 0461-586981 / 586924). 
An alternative access route to the Croz Altissimo Refuge (1,430 m.) is the Seghe Valley, starting from Molveno near the Via Dolomiti hairpin bend, on path no. 322 (time from Molveno to the Croz Altissimo Refuge: 1½ hours). Starting from Pradel, on the other hand, you follow itinerary 340 up to the Croz Altissimo Refuge  which has the odd exposed stretch but you are protected by a metal barrier (a rope hand-rail). 
The route cuts across the western rock face of the Croz Altissimo peak and offers excellent views over the Sfulmini amphitheatre and over the peaks that bound the Perse Valley. At the refuge you turn right and climb the old river bed following path no. 322. After about half an hour you come to the fork with path no. 344 which heads for the Clamer Pass (2,164 m., 1½ hours from the fork with no. 322).
 This pass is easy to recognise for the presence of a boulder of considerable dimensions, which is very thin at the base and which seems to be balanced rather precariously, given its size. From the Clamer Pass towards the west you have a wonderful view over the whole of the central chain of the Brenta Dolomites, without doubt one of the most attractive vistas in the whole of Trentino. 
** Those who wish to return to Molveno without crossing the mountains can follow an alternative itinerary at this point. In about 3½ hours you can get back to Pradel (cable car station) by taking path no. 344 bis which from the Clamer Pass climbs the slopes of the Lasteri to the Croz Altissimo peak (2,339 m.) to then go back down towards Molveno and Andalo along the grassy slopes of the Altissimo-Gallino subgroup of mountains, first to the Montanara Refuge and then to Pradel.
 On the other hand, crossing the mountains involves going to the Malga Spora at 1,851 metres (45 minutes from the Clamer Pass). From here take path no. 301 northwards and turn left in the direction of the Gaiarda Pass (2,242 m.).
 You come to the pass after going over the last stretches of the scree of the imposing mountain side of the Croz del Fibbion. After the fork with path no. 371 which goes to the Malga Flavona, the route winds between the Mular Alto and Mular Basso peaks until it meets path no. 314 at 2,206 metres *** which comes up from the Perse Valley and which is one possible way to return to Molveno via the Croz Altissimo Refuge (fork 314 – 301, Croz Altissimo Refuge 3 hours 15 minutes). If on the other hand you continue along path no. 301 you soon pass Le Crosette and climb up the stone steps of the Grostè Pass, from where you can get to Madonna di Campiglio either by cable car (last trip at …) or on foot via the Graffer Refuge.