Alta Via dell'Adamello-Tappa 5 (Città di Lissone-Prudenzini)

The Alta Via dell'Adamello Tappa 5 (Città di Lissone–Prudenzini) is an 8-km point-to-point alpine trail in Lombardy, Italy, gaining roughly 600 m of elevation as it crosses Passo di Poia at 2,775 m. Rated challenging, this single-day refuge-to-refuge stage links Val Adamè to Val Salarno with chain-aided rock, glacial cirques and panoramic views of the Adamello massif.

About the Alta Via dell'Adamello-Tappa 5 (Città di Lissone-Prudenzini)

Tappa 5 is one segment of the celebrated Alta Via dell'Adamello, the historic Sentiero n. 1 that threads roughly 70 km north to south across the Adamello Regional Park (Parco dell'Adamello) in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The full route is traditionally broken into eight stages of medium-to-challenging difficulty, and this fifth stage connects two of the most loved refuges on the traverse: the Rifugio Città di Lissone at 2,020 m in Val Adamè and the Rifugio Paolo Prudenzini at 2,235 m in Val Salarno.

Managed under the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) network and classified as a Regional Walking Network (RWN) route, the path is a serious mountain itinerary rather than a stroll. Over its 8 km it climbs from the valley floor to Passo di Poia at 2,775 m, the high point of the day, before descending into the next glacial basin. Hikers should expect 5.5 to 6 hours of walking, around 600 m of ascent and a similar amount of descent, plus short exposed sections protected by fixed chains and cables. The reward is a front-row seat to the Adamello group, the largest glaciated area in the Italian Alps.

The Adamello massif itself rises to 3,539 m at its summit, and the entire region was a front line during the First World War's Guerra Bianca (White War), so the trail carries both geological and historical weight. The terrain underfoot shifts constantly: larch and alder near the refuges, then boulder fields, snow patches that linger into July, and bare granite slabs polished by long-gone glaciers.

Route Overview & Stages

Tappa 5 is a self-contained day, but it sits within the longer Alta Via dell'Adamello. The table below places this stage in context with its immediate neighbours so you can plan a multi-day traverse. Distances and ascent figures are approximate and reflect the most commonly walked variant of Sentiero n. 1.

Walking Tappa 5 in isolation is entirely feasible: you can stage out of Saviore dell'Adamello, walk up Val Adamè to the Città di Lissone, sleep there, complete the 8 km to the Prudenzini the next morning, and descend Val Salarno back to the road. The climb from the Città di Lissone follows a graded mule track before steepening toward Passo di Poia, where cables ease the final rocky pull. The drop into Val Salarno is more direct, passing the small Lago di Salarno before the Prudenzini comes into view.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Rifugio Città di Lissone (2,020 m) — The CAI-affiliated hut in upper Val Adamè that begins the stage, set on a meadow shelf with views back to the Adamello glaciers.
• Passo di Poia (2,775 m) — The day's high point and watershed between Val Adamè and Val Salarno; a rocky saddle where fixed chains protect the steepest passage.
• Val Adamè — A classic glacial U-valley carpeted with rhododendron and grazing pasture, drained by the Adamè stream and dotted with old malghe (alpine dairy huts).
• Val Salarno — The descent valley, narrower and rockier, holding the Salarno reservoir and dramatic granite walls.
• Lago di Salarno — A dammed glacial lake whose turquoise water sits beneath the Cornone di Blumone and Corno di Salarno.
• Rifugio Paolo Prudenzini (2,235 m) — The CAI hut that ends the stage, a popular base for ascents of Monte Re di Castello and Cornone di Blumone.
• Adamello glacier viewpoints — Several points along the climb open toward the Pian di Neve, the broad ice plateau that feeds the region's glacial streams.
• White War remains — Faint military mule tracks and stone emplacements survive across these passes, legacies of high-altitude fighting between 1915 and 1918.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via dell'Adamello-Tappa 5 (Città di Lissone-Prudenzini)

The realistic season for this high stage runs from late June to late September, governed entirely by snow on Passo di Poia and the opening dates of the two refuges. In a typical year the huts staff up from around 20 June and close in mid-September, with weekend-only service at the margins. Snow can linger in north-facing couloirs near the pass into early July, making an ice axe and microspikes worthwhile for early-season crossings.

The single best month is August: the passes are normally clear of snow, daytime temperatures at refuge altitude sit around 12–18 °C, and the chains at Passo di Poia are dry and reliable. The trade-off is that Ferragosto (mid-August) is the busiest period in the Italian Alps, so reserve refuge bunks well ahead. For solitude with good conditions, the first two weeks of September are excellent, though nights drop near freezing and afternoon thunderstorms remain a risk.

As of 2026, hikers should check current snow and refuge-opening updates with the park and CAI before committing, because alpine seasons in the Adamello have been shifting earlier with warmer springs. Whenever you go, start early — afternoon convective storms are common over the Adamello plateau and you want to be off the exposed pass by early afternoon.

Practical Information

Accommodation

This stage is built around mountain refuges, and both anchor huts are staffed CAI rifugi. At the Rifugio Città di Lissone and the Rifugio Paolo Prudenzini, expect dormitory half-board (dinner, bed and breakfast) at roughly €55–€70 per person per night in 2026, with a bunk-only rate near €25–€30. CAI members receive a meaningful discount on the overnight fee. Both huts serve hot meals and have limited blankets, so a sleeping-bag liner is required rather than a full sleeping bag.

Wild camping is restricted inside the Adamello Regional Park; bivouacking above the tree line for a single night is generally tolerated only in emergencies, so plan to sleep at the refuges. Down in the valleys, Saviore dell'Adamello and Cedegolo offer small guesthouses and B&Bs from about €60–€90 per double room if you prefer to base low and day-hike sections.

Getting There & Back

The trailheads sit above the Val Camonica. The nearest railway station is Edolo, terminus of the Brescia–Iseo–Edolo line operated by Trenord; from Brescia the journey takes roughly 2 hours 20 minutes. From Edolo or the intermediate station at Cedegolo, local SAB/Arriva buses and taxis reach Saviore dell'Adamello and the Val Adamè and Val Salarno road heads, from where marked CAI paths climb to each refuge in 2–3 hours. The closest international airports are Bergamo Orio al Serio (about 2 hours 30 minutes by car) and Verona Villafranca (about 2 hours 45 minutes). A car is the most flexible option, but because this is a point-to-point stage you will need to arrange a shuttle or return over the same passes to recover a vehicle.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Tappa 5, and access to the Adamello Regional Park trails is free. Your only fixed costs are refuge half-board, food and any bus or taxi transfers. Parking at the valley road heads may carry a small daily fee in summer. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be kept under control around grazing livestock, and refuges set their own pet policies, so confirm in advance. Standard alpine rules apply: carry out all waste and respect seasonal closures protecting wildlife.

Gear & Packing List

Tappa 5 demands genuine mountain equipment. The chained sections at Passo di Poia and the boulder terrain reward sticky-soled boots, trekking poles and a helmet if you are sensitive to rockfall on busy days. Because you sleep in refuges, you can travel light — a 35–50 litre pack is plenty for a one-to-three-day traverse. A streamlined ultralight pack such as the 2400 Windrider suits a single-stage hut trip, while the larger 3400 Windrider or the supportive Abisko Hike 35 work well if you carry extra layers for the full Alta Via. For inspiration on trimming pack weight, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven packs tested in alpine conditions.

Beyond the pack, bring waterproof shell and insulation (temperatures swing fast at 2,700 m), a refuge sleeping-bag liner, a head torch, sun protection for snow glare, and at least 1.5 litres of water capacity since reliable springs thin out near the pass. Fuel matters too: a sustained day with 600 m of climbing burns serious energy, and our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you pack enough trail food between refuge meals.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-mountain refuge traverse of the Adamello appeals, Italy's Dolomite Alte Vie deliver the same hut-to-hut format across even more dramatic limestone scenery, with well-graded paths and dense refuge networks. These longer routes make natural next objectives once you have a multi-stage Alta Via under your belt.

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For a contrasting cross-border classic with a similar village-to-village rhythm, our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is a great rainy-day read while you plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Tappa 5?
August is the single best month, when Passo di Poia is normally snow-free, the chains are dry, and both refuges are fully staffed with daytime temperatures around 12–18 °C at hut altitude. Early September offers similar conditions with fewer crowds but colder nights. Avoid before late June and after mid-September, when snow and refuge closures make the crossing risky.

How difficult is the Città di Lissone to Prudenzini stage?
It is rated challenging. Over 8 km you climb about 600 m to Passo di Poia at 2,775 m, with short exposed rock sections protected by fixed chains and stretches of boulder hopping. No technical climbing is needed, but sure footing, a head for mild exposure and good mountain fitness are essential, especially if early-season snow lingers near the pass.

How long does the stage take and what is the daily distance?
Tappa 5 is a single day of roughly 8 km, taking most hikers 5.5 to 6 hours including breaks. That covers around 600 m of ascent and a similar descent. As part of the wider Alta Via dell'Adamello, neighbouring stages run 6 to 10.5 km each, so daily distances across the full traverse stay modest but the terrain keeps days long.

Where do I sleep on this stage?
You stay at staffed CAI refuges: the Rifugio Città di Lissone (2,020 m) at the start and the Rifugio Paolo Prudenzini (2,235 m) at the finish. Half-board costs roughly €55–€70 per person in 2026, with discounts for CAI members. Bring a sleeping-bag liner, book ahead in August, and note that wild camping is restricted inside the Adamello Regional Park.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No permit is required and trail access to the Adamello Regional Park is free. Your costs are refuge half-board, meals, and any bus or taxi transfers from Edolo or Cedegolo to the valley road heads. Summer parking at trailheads may carry a small daily charge. Dogs are allowed under control, though individual refuges set their own pet policies, so confirm before arriving.

For official trail status, refuge contacts and seasonal alerts, consult the Parco dell'Adamello regional park authority, and plan rail connections to Edolo through Trenord, the Lombardy regional transport operator.