Refuge Paludei - bivouac Madonnina

Departure from the Paludei Refuge and arrival at the Vigolana Bivouac after 1000m of altitude difference and a distance of 6 km. Difficult path.

The spire of the Friar and the rocky pinnacle of the Madonnina are two spectacular morphosculptures located on the north-eastern side of the Vigolana carbonate massif. Nearby, on a rocky spur overlooking Vigolo Vattaro and Lake Caldonazzo, stands a fundamental shelter for mountaineers: the Vigolana bivouac alla "Madonnina" (1990 m asl). The bivouac is accessed from the Paludei refuge along the SAT path signposted E444. The crossing to the Casarota refuge is very interesting and panoramic, along the SAT paths marked E425 and E442, which allows you to enjoy an overall view of the karst area of the southern side of the Vigolana: a grandiose amphitheater gently sloping towards the south and with a breathtaking view over the Adige valley. The most evident karst morphologies are made up of vertical karst pits which testify to the presence of hypogeal karst phenomena (caves). One of the most visible is the Bus della Caldera, about 400 meters north of Castellazzo and among others we can mention the Bus del Giaz, the Bus del Bech, the Abisso Bosentino and above all the Gabrielli Grotto, among the most notable in Trentino. The climb to the Madonnina is demanding both as regards the difference in height to overcome (850 m) and because there are, in the final stretch, some aided sections and rocks that require attention (for Expert Hikers). Once you have completed the crossing to the Casarota Refuge, the return to the Paludei refuge can be done with the equipped Path of the Shepherds marked SAT E 432 (for Expert Hikers).