This autumn hike in the upper Val d’Ultimo provides us with beautiful views of the surrounding three-thousanders
Image gallery: Hike to the Rifugio Canziani at the Lago Verde
It is autumn and the weather is still pleasant, but what inspires us most to take this tour are the magnificent larch forests that cloak the Val d'Ultimo valley in shades of yellow, orange and rust-red in October and November. The larch is the only conifer that loses its needles in autumn, and in Ultimo these trees seem to grow particularly well. We park our car at Lake Fontana Bianca, or Weissbrunnsee, near Santa Gertrude, the highest village in the Val d'Ultimo valley.
The road ends here - we are already in the Stelvio National Park. From Lake Fontana Bianca, a reservoir at an altitude of 1,885 metres, signs point us to trail no. 140, which leads directly to the Rifugio Canziani. We hike uphill until we reach the first fork in the path after about 20 minutes. We continue to follow the signs for the Lago Verde (Green Lake), the incline becomes a little steeper.
After leaving the tree line behind us, the landscape and the surrounding mountains are so impressive that it is not just the climb that takes our breath away. The air is noticeably cooler and the approaching winter makes its presence felt, while below us the larches display their yellow coat. A few more metres, and the Canziani Hut (Höchsterhütte) appears before us. After hiking for just under two hours, we finally reach the Lago Verde (Grünsee) and admire its clear water.
The hut itself is perched at 2,560 metres above sea level and is staffed from approximately mid-June to mid-October, weather permitting. This offers a good opportunity to treat ourselves to some hearty dishes after the ascent. The view of the surrounding mountains is rugged and conveys a sense of freedom: The Cima Sternai, the Cima Sternai Anteriore, Mt. Gioveretto and the Cima di Fontana Bianca, all rocky giants over 3,000 metres high, rise up all around.
After refreshments, we start our return journey, crossing the dam wall and walking through the open high valley below the Lago Verde. In the distance, we can see the Lago dei Pescatori, and below it, Lake Fontana Bianca, where we started. We also come across the Lago Lungo (Langsee, or Long Lake) during our descent, which takes about an hour and a half in total. After almost four hours of actual hiking time, we arrive back at the car park as the sun has already set.
Authors: Elena & Luca
Experienced in: October 2019
Last updated: 2025
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- Starting point:
- parking space at Lake Fontana Bianca, Val d'Ultimo (1,885 m a.s.l.)
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- Overall time:
- 03:00 h
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- Total route length:
- 6,6 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.885 m to 2.560 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +675 m | -675 m
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- Signposts:
- no. 140
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- Destination:
- Canziani at the Lago Verde Hut (2,560 m a.s.l.)
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- Resting points:
- Canziani al Lago Verde Hut
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike to the Rifugio Canziani at the Lago Verde
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- More information:
- The descriptive text shows the route variant that leads down from the Lago Verde via the Lago Lungo and the Lago dei Pescatori to Lake Fontana Bianca. The map and the GPX data, however, follow the same path for the return journey as for the ascent. Please be aware of possible snowfall in autumn! The total time indicated above refers to the actual walking time, without breaks - please add one hour of walking time for the variant described in the text.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend you to check the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before setting out.
