Laghi di Cornisello

The Laghi di Cornisello are two spectacular alpine lakes at 2,120 meters altitude, nestled in a glacial cirque in Val Nambrone between the peaks of Giner, Bon, Cornisello and Om de l'Amola. The upper lake, very deep, has intensely blue waters that seem almost unreal; the lower one, shallower, shines with crystalline transparency. Together they form one of the most photographed landscapes in the Adamello-Presanella mountain group.

Reachable by car along the narrow Val Nambrone road (turn off between Carisolo and Sant'Antonio Mavignola, 12-14 km to Rifugio Cornisello), the lakes are just a 10-15 minute walk from the refuge. Extraordinary hikes start from here: Lago Nero (2,250 m, 30 minutes via SAT trail 238) offers exceptional views of the Brenta Dolomites; Lago della Vedretta (2,650 m, 80 minutes via SAT 239) leads to the foot of the glaciers. In 1.5 hours you reach Rifugio Segantini (2,373 m), one of the oldest Alpine refuges, the starting point for ascending Cima Presanella — at 3,558 meters, the highest peak in Trentino.

The rock surrounding the lakes is tonalite, an intrusive igneous rock similar to granite that gives its name to the nearby Tonale Pass. This geological detail gives the landscape its characteristic light-grey color that contrasts magnificently with the deep blue of the waters.