The 3,443 m high Cima Sternai is the highest mountain of the Maddalene Mountain Chain, a subgroup of the Ortles Alps
Image gallery: Maddalene Mountain Chain
The Maddalene Mountain Chain, or Ilmenkamm in German, stretches from Ultimo in South Tyrol to the Val di Non in the Trentino. The 2,656 m high name giving Cima Olmi or Ilmenspitze is accessible from both valleys. The hike from the Val d'Ultimo starts in the village of San Nicolò and proceeds in 4 hours through the Val di Lavace up to the summit. The Maddalene Mountain Chain branches from the Gioveretto Group, which separates the Val d'Ultimo and the Val Venosta valleys - some side ridges stretch until the Val di Sole and Val di Non valleys in the Trentino. The highest summit is Mt. Cima Sternai (3,443 m a.s.l.), high above Lake Fontana Bianca in the rear Val d'Ultimo, the border between South Tyrol and Trentino, which is located in the Stelvio National Park.
This famous peak is accessible from the Umberto Canziani Mountain Hut at 2,560 m a.s.l. and in winter quite popular among ski tourers. After Mt. Cima Sternai, the ridge slowly descends, other mountains follow, like Mt. Vedetta Alta (2,627 m a.s.l.), Mt. Belmonte (2,459 m a.s.l.), Mt. Cornicolo (2,418 m a.s.l.) and the 100 metres lower Mt. Cornicoletto (2,311 m a.s.l.). Finally the Maddalene Mountain Chain reaches the Castrin Pass, which connects the Val d'Ultimo with the Val di Non. It is accessible through a modern tunnel. Popular tours in the area are, for example, the hike to the Manzara di Proves Mountain Hut and the mountain tour to the beautiful Corvo Lakes.
