Walking along the rushing Rio di Scaleres through dense forests to the Schrüttenseen at the foot of the Kühberg mountain
Image gallery: Hike to the Gelati Lakes in the Valle di Scaleres
The Gelati Lakes, also known as Laghi di Scaleres, are framed by lush green meadows and the Kühberg mountain. We drive a few kilometres along mountain roads to reach the starting point of our tour. A road leads from Scaleres into the upper Valle di Scaleres, where a hikers' car park is located at the end. Here we set off on foot, following the signs for the "Schrüttenseen".
We follow the course of the rushing Rio di Scaleres, which refreshes the air. The high fog still lingers stubbornly on this August day and turns the forest into a mysterious place.
We cross the stream on a small bridge. The path now becomes steep and also slippery due to the rain of the previous days. Wild strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries grow along the edge of the path, sweetening our walk. After a small meadow, the route continues more steeply through the forest. Twenty minutes later, we reach the Big Lago Gelato lake.
Together with the Small Lago Gelato lake, which is a three-minute walk away, it appears crystal clear at an altitude of 1,960 metres, set among alpine roses, stone pines, and the light-coloured rocks of the Sarentino Alps. The lake shore is ideal for a picnic. We remembered to bring a bag to take our rubbish home, and we enjoy the surrounding silence.
Afterwards, we make our way back along the same path. Conclusion: a pleasant walk for hot days. The Rio di Scaleres provides refreshment during the ascent, which is quite shaded anyway. Alternatively, the first section of the hike from the car park to the small bridge can be completed on a wider cart track, from which you then reach path no. 13.
Author: BS
Experienced: August 2011
Last updated: 2026
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- Starting point:
- hikers' car park in Scaleres beneath the Steinwendthof farm (1,391 m a.s.l.)
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- Overall time:
- 03:00 h
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- Total route length:
- 7,1 km
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- Altitude:
- from 1.391 m to 1.962 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +571 m | -571 m
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- Signposts:
- no. 13, "Schrüttenseen"
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- Destination:
- Small and Big Lago Gelato lake (1,962 m a.s.l.)
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- Resting points:
- none
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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 Gelati Lakes in the Valle di Scaleres
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- More information:
- The overall time shown above refers to the walking time only, not including breaks or stops.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this hike!
