4.7
(291)
1,592
hikers
Valgoglio Five Lakes Tour Trail
06:26
13.2km
1,140m
Hiking
Embark on the Valgoglio Five Lakes Tour Trail, a difficult hike spanning 8.2 miles (13.2 km) with a significant elevation gain of 3747 feet (1142 metres). You should plan for about 6 hours and 25 minutes to complete this challenging route. The trail takes you through varied and demanding alpine…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
Start point
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1.29 km
Baita Cernello
Highlight • Mountain Hut
1.87 km
Tour of nearly 5 lakes
Highlight • Other
2.14 km
Trail to the Five Lakes, Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2.81 km
Fontana di Prede Spring
Highlight • Natural Monument
Translated by Google •
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5.10 km
Capanna Lago Nero Hut
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
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6.49 km
Lake Aviasco
Highlight • Lake
Translated by Google •
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7.56 km
Lago Nero
Highlight • Lake
Translated by Google •
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7.99 km
Lago Canali
Highlight • Lake
Translated by Google •
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9.48 km
View of the Mountain Valley
Highlight • Viewpoint
13.2 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.78 km
3.43 km
1.88 km
1.09 km
Surfaces
4.77 km
3.51 km
3.08 km
1.13 km
669 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Tuesday 19 May
17°C
4°C
77 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 3.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difficulty level of the Five Lakes Circuit?
This trail is rated as difficult and requires a very good level of fitness, sure-footedness, sturdy shoes, and alpine experience. It features steep ascents and descents, with some sections requiring cables for grip.
How long does it typically take to hike the Five Lakes Circuit?
The full circuit usually takes between 5 to 7 hours to complete, not including any breaks you might take to enjoy the views or rest at a hut.
What kind of terrain can I expect on this hike?
You'll encounter varied and demanding terrain, including rocky areas, scree, and alpine pastures. There are steep ascents and descents, and some sections, particularly on the way to Lago Sucotto, may require cables for assistance. While generally well-signed, some parts, especially between Bocchetta and Tre Laghi, might be less marked, requiring careful navigation.
Where does the Five Lakes Circuit trail start, and is parking available?
The trail typically starts from Valgoglio. Parking availability can vary, so it's advisable to research specific parking areas near the trailhead in Valgoglio before your visit, especially during peak season.
What can I see along the route?
The circuit offers breathtaking views of the Orobie Alps and takes you past five pristine mountain lakes, including natural ones like Lago Cernello and Lago Sucotto, and artificial ones such as Lago Nero and Lake Aviasco. You'll also pass by mountain huts like Baita Cernello and Capanna Lago Nero Hut, and natural features like Fontana di Prede Spring.
What wildlife might I encounter on the trail?
With patience, you may spot native alpine wildlife, including ibex, which are known to roam the rocky amphitheatres of the Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche.
Is the Five Lakes Circuit dog-friendly?
While dogs are generally allowed in the Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche, it's crucial to keep them on a leash to protect local wildlife and ensure their safety on challenging terrain. Given the difficulty and varied terrain, assess if your dog is fit for such a demanding hike.
Do I need a permit or is there an entrance fee for the Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche?
Generally, there are no specific permits or entrance fees required to hike the Five Lakes Circuit within the Parco delle Orobie Bergamasche. However, it's always a good idea to check the official park website for any updated regulations or specific requirements before your trip.
What is the best time of year to hike the Five Lakes Circuit?
The best time to hike this circuit is typically during the summer months, from late June to early September, when the snow has melted and the weather conditions are most stable. Always check the local weather forecast before heading out, as alpine conditions can change rapidly.
Does the trail intersect other well-known paths?
Yes, the route also passes through sections of the Sentiero Flavio Tasca - Tappa 6, Traccia per M. Cabianca, and Mulattiera.
Are there any huts or refuges along the Five Lakes Circuit where I can stop?
Yes, there are huts along the route. You'll pass by Baita Cernello and Capanna Lago Nero Hut, which can offer opportunities for rest or refreshments during your hike.
Nearby routes
Trail Reviews
Partial tour of the lakes due to early return for evening dinner. The ring proposed by the original tour taken by Komoot is anti-clockwise, we did the section on the left and therefore in reverse. Nice stop at the Lago Nero refuge after lunch.
Small stretches with metal safety chains, just to avoid slipping but if there are people who suffer from vertigo a little attention will be needed. The parking lot where you leave your car costs 5 euros during the summer. The ring can be covered both in the direction of the black lake first or leaving the black lake last. The stretch that goes up to the black lake is steeper and with "steps" that I preferred to do uphill.
Circular route from Bortolotti di Valgoglio passing through: - Lake Sucotto (3.1 km) - Lake Cernello (4.0 km) - Lake Campelli Basso (4.9 km) - Lake Campelli Alto (5.3 km) - Lake Aviasco (6.4 km) - Black Lake (7.4 km) - Canali Lake (8.0 km) - Resentino Lake (8.5 km)
Wonderful tour in terms of landscape that touches a large number of lakes, mostly artificial or in any case expanded by dam systems. The loop is quite demanding in terms of length and height difference, almost all concentrated in the first part of the route, but without technical difficulties. In the sense proposed, between Lake Cernello and Lake Campelli Basso there is a short stretch equipped with steel cables, immediately after a steep ladder, but the path, although quite exposed just before the ladder, is very wide and well maintained and, in the absence of ice or snow, presents no difficulty unless you suffer terribly from a fear of heights. For the rest it is a wonderful excursion always at a short distance from stretches of water.
They call it the tour of the 5 lakes but I counted 7. Parking in Bortolotti in Valgoglio (few free spaces on the side of the road, otherwise large paid parking lot 5 euros). I did the tour clockwise as I was advised and in my opinion the right choice. The upper Campelli lake is too beautiful not to take a regenerating bath, bring your swimsuit!
Circular route from Valgoglio passing through: - Lake Sucotto - Lake Cernello - Lake Campelli Basso - Lake Campelli Alto - Lake Aviasco - Black Lake - Black Lake Hut - Resentino Lake
After many years, today I had the opportunity to redo a classic excursion in the Orobie Alps, one of those considered to be the most beautiful in terms of landscape: the tour of the five lakes of Valgoglio. The tour, starting from the town of Valgoglio (Bortolotti parking lot) is partly a ring, passable indiscriminately in both directions and includes a wooded part common to the outward and return journeys that overcome, in about two kilometers, a difference in altitude of about 800 meters. Having reached the first Enel stations and chosen the direction of travel of the ring, I continued along paths of medium difficulty, skirting the five lakes and crossing an intact and pure Alpine landscape. There are two refuges along the route, the Lago Nero hut and the Cernello hut.