Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio is a celebrated ski and mountain resort in Trentino, a hamlet within the municipality of Pinzolo in Val Rende...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Madonna di Campiglio now
The story
The story of Madonna di Campiglio
An Alpine Gem Between Brenta and Adamello
Madonna di Campiglio sits at roughly 1,550 metres above sea level, on a broad wooded plateau nestled in the heart of the central Alps. Administratively it is a hamlet of the municipality of Pinzolo, in Val Rendena, yet its international reputation has made it one of the best-known names in Italian alpine tourism. Its setting is unique: on one side rise the dolomitic spires of the Brenta group, on the other the glaciers and granite peaks of the Adamello-Presanella massif, forming a natural amphitheatre that changes character with every season.
History: From Pioneer Climbers to Empress Sisi
The story of Madonna di Campiglio is intertwined with mountaineering history from the nineteenth century onward, when the spires of the Brenta Dolomites drew climbers and naturalists from across Europe, laying the groundwork for one of the area's earliest alpine guide traditions. By the late 1800s the resort had become a fashionable retreat for Central European aristocracy, its most celebrated guest being Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, who admired its climate and views. Since then the village has blended its mountaineering heritage with tourism, evolving through the twentieth century into a modern ski resort.
Wild Nature: Brenta, Adamello and Alpine Lakes
The land surrounding Madonna di Campiglio forms a mosaic of protected natural environments within the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, the largest in Trentino. The dolomitic walls of the Brenta group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stand in striking contrast to the glaciers and conifer forests of the Adamello-Presanella side. Among the most beloved spots are Lake Nambino, reached via a gentle walk through the forest, and the Cinque Laghi (Five Lakes) area, a plateau dotted with small lakes set among rhododendrons and larches, a favourite destination for summer hikes and alpine wildlife spotting, including the brown bear.
What to Do: Skiing, Lifts and Hiking
In winter Madonna di Campiglio is the heart of the Skiarea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta, one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, linked to nearby Pinzolo and Folgarida-Marilleva, with slopes for every level, a snowpark and modern lifts climbing toward Pradalago and Grostè. In summer the same lifts become gateways for hikers and mountain bikers, opening access to panoramic trails, via ferratas in the Brenta group and family-friendly walks. Wellness centres, golf courses and year-round active tourism options round out the offer.
Events, Flavours and Traditions
The calendar in Madonna di Campiglio is marked by events that reinforce its international reputation, from alpine ski races and glamorous winter gatherings to summer food festivals and hiking events. Local cuisine is rooted in Trentino tradition: canederli dumplings, polenta, mountain-pasture cheeses and game accompany dishes built around mushrooms and wild berries gathered in the surrounding forests, often served in high-altitude mountain huts. The village also hosts events celebrating its history, honouring both its pioneering mountaineering past and the golden age of Habsburg-era holidaymaking.
Not to be missed
- Walk to Lake Nambino through fir forests
- Hike across the Cinque Laghi plateau
- View of the Brenta Dolomites spires from Grostè
- Skiing and freeride in the Skiarea Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta
- Stroll through the historic centre following Empress Sisi's footsteps
To see
What to see in Madonna di Campiglio
Routes · Trovido Route
