Best things to do in Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo
Best things to do in Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo. I have just spent five wonderful days in Trentino, between Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo, discovering spectacular granite mountains, exquisite food and many nature and outdoor activities that these places offer. Even just admiring its spectacular snowy landscapes brought me a regenerating sense of peace and silence… Read on to find out all about my trip to Trentino!
Best things to do in Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo in five days
The first stop was Madonna di Campiglio, a top tourist destination for skiing but also for other many things to do and see. Among the many events that it offers there are the Ski Mountaineering World Cup finals, a stop of the Tour of Italy and much more. It is also renowned for haute cuisine: it boasts the presence of three 1 Star Michelin restaurants, including the Dolomieu Restaurant located inside the hotel where I stayed the first two nights. It’s the DV Chalet Boutique Hotel & SPA, modern but with a very warm and cozy atmosphere. There we stayed in a room located on the third and top floor, with huge exposed wooden beams and a wonderful little terrace with mountain views!
In the evening we had dinner at the restaurant of the Hotel: the menu was really inviting and we opted for one of the typical local dishes: strangolapreti with mushrooms and trentingrana (a particular type of Parmesan cheese produced in the region).
The next morning we woke up with a bright sun and, immediately after breakfast, our guide, Nicolle, came to pick us up to take us to the cable car that goes up to Punta Grostè, with an elevation of 2440 meters! The cable car takes about ten minutes in which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Campiglio Ski Area. It is the largest in Trentino and offers over 150 km of spectacular slopes, ranging from 2500 to 850 meters high, and 4 fun snow parks. It also boasts the presence of many high altitude refuges, equipped with every comfort. We spent the day at Rifugio Stoppani, which has a privileged view over the limestone mountains of the Brenta Dolomites: one of the most beautiful I’ve seen in my life!
This mountain refuge also got a beautiful outdoor spa with jacuzzi and sauna cabin overlooking the snowy peaks!
For lunch there is the possibility to choose between sitting outside or inside by the fireplace! We shared a mixed platter and then ordered spaghetti with meat sauce!
In the afternoon, before going down, we took a walk in the snow: I could not help flying the drone on this wonderful landscape!
Once back down to Madonna di Campiglio, we took the opportunity to take a walk in the town center. Among the many shops we saw one with local products called Sfiziosità da Marcello: here only homemade or zero km products!
We then headed to Nabucco Ferrari Spazio Bollicine for a happy hour tasting Ferrari Trento wine. We started with a glass of white Perlé, accompanied by salmon trout chips with antique mustard, speck of duck and ham aged over 24 months, then we continued with a Perlè rosé, accompanied by a salted meat tartare with mayonnaise, herbs, anchovies and capers and a citrus-flavored cabbage salad with crunchy buckwheat. All really delicious!
Among the many activities that the Brenta Dolomites offers, for my second day in Madonna di Campiglio I chose to take a horse ride! The weather was uncertain and there was fog on the path, making the atmosphere even more magical and evocative. The excursion started from the Patascoss Hut, reachable by the Express 5 Laghi cable car, where Simone was waiting for us with his horses!
Below I’m with Simon, the cutest horse who kindly hosted me on his back for a walk of a couple of miles!
The stretch of road was fairly easy as it was quite flat. We reached in half an hour Malga Ritorto farm, where we stopped for a lunch of excellent polenta!
Once lunch was over, we got back to Patascoss with the snowcat. From there we go down with the cable car and moved by car to a place not far away, the Piana di Nambino. The other activity I had chosen for the day was the sled dog activity! It was the first time ever that I did this kind of experience and I was enthusiastic about it, also thanks to the fact that the boys of the sled dog school Athabaska conquered me for how they treat their dogs with respect and how they pamper them after every single ride. You can choose between the sleigh ride or even the training lesson! Next time I’ll absolutely have to try it!
We then moved to Pinzolo, a town just below Madonna di Campiglio, to spend the next two nights at Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti. This is the second five-star resort of the Lefay brand: I had been in the past a couple of times in the one on Lake Garda and I fell in love with it, so I was delighted to stay there! It is a hotel completely immersed in the splendid scenery of the Dolomites, in full harmony with the surrounding environment. They reserved for us the Natura Lefay Room, furnished with natural fabrics, local materials and a fireplace to create an even more warm atmosphere. The suite was really spacious and boasted the presence of two bathrooms complete with shower, a bathtub and a terrace with a view of the infinity outdoor pool!
For dinner we tried the gourmet restaurant La Parzif in Pinzolo. The menu is à la carte and offers a varied cuisine with dishes not only based on meat but also on fish and vegetarian options. In Trentino people are used to start or end the dinner with a cheese tasting: we had boscatella di fiavè, robiola di caprino and spressa dop of the giudicarie, to be matched respectively with strawberry tree fruit cream, mango and peach chutney and honey produced by them. Absolutely delicious! I then continued with a salmon trout tartare refined with acacia honey with balsamic spheres and trout caviar and a dish of caprese, to conclude with a digestive herbal tea and homemade biscuits!
The program for the next day was to enjoy the tranquility of the spa Lefay Dolomiti, but this after their wonderful breakfast!
The SPA is very large and spread over several floors: there is a floor dedicated to treatment cabins, a floor dedicated to the SPA path and a floor for the indoor-outdoor pool! A temple of well-being!
After spending an hour soaking in the very hot water (can you see the steam here above?) and after experiencing part of the spa path, we decide to go up for lunch. The Lefay restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine paired with local tastes and flavors: after breakfast I was not very hungry, so I opted for vegetable soup with bean sprouts and sea bass fillet with grilled vegetables and potato side dish.
In the afternoon I had planned a couple of treatments: the first was called “Linfa del bosco”, a relaxing massage (with organic olive oil, pine wood and mint essences that recalled the scents of the forest) among the best I’ve ever done. Immediately after an anti-aging moisturizing facial treatment with alpine flowers. The perfect remise en forme before Christmas!
Finally they offered me an herbal tea in the relaxation room, where I stayed a little longer to enjoy the view on the panorama!
For dinner we had a special appointment in the woods, at Agriturismo Chalet Fogajard. It is located in a town halfway between Pinzolo and Campiglio, Sant’Antonio di Mavignola, and can only be reached by 4×4 car! Here you are right at the foot of the mountain: the chalet has just six rooms and each of them has the name of an element of nature. The restaurant has a set menu of five courses, different every day as it is prepared with local products. The owner Edoardo had reserved for us a special private room with the fireplace, which he proceeded to light as soon as we arrived! To begin he brought us some delicious alpine curry ricottina and a cream of carrots and leeks. Then a plate of bread and ricotta gnocchi with butter and sage and grilled pork chop with sautéed chard and potatoes. Finally a yogurt mousse with red fruits and bitter chocolate balls. All delicious!
So we came to the last day of my trip to Trentino. I admit that I would still have stayed more in the wonderful Christmas atmosphere of Lefay: look how wonderful it was!
Below you see me together with Nicolle, who accompanied me in the various activities of these days in Trentino. A beautiful girl, super intelligent, strong, energetic, life lover. She is truly living proof that nothing can stop brave people! Her positivity and her story really inspired me: it was a pleasure to meet her and share this journey together!
In addition to Nicolle, I thank the whole team of Campiglio Dolomiti and Visit Trentino for these beautiful days!
Happy Friday to you all!
