Stelvio Family Trek: Sunny Valley - Marmotte Trail

The Marmot Trail is a short, accessible hike that lets you experience the high-mountain environment without having to tackle a long climb on foot.

During the summer operating season of the ski lifts, you can easily reach the Sunny Valley area by gondola from Santa Caterina Valfurva. In just a few minutes, you’ll go from the valley floor to the wide-open spaces of the Valle dell’Alpe, where the trail winds through pastures, small streams, and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.

This makes the route particularly pleasant on the hottest summer days: ascending to about 2,600 meters means enjoying generally cooler temperatures, fresh mountain air, and an ideal setting to spend a few hours outdoors with the kids.

A simple loop trail of about 1.6 kilometers begins at the Sunny Valley Mountain Lodge, with very little elevation gain. The trail crosses alpine pastures, the natural habitat of marmots, which can be spotted moving between their burrows or resting on the rocks. With a little luck, you may also spot other animals typical of the high mountains, such as chamois and birds of prey.

The trail also offers beautiful views of the Gavia Valley and the Ortles-Cevedale and Adamello mountain ranges. The high elevation and lack of tall vegetation allow you to enjoy a wide-open view for almost the entire walk.

At the end of the hike, you can stop near the mountain hut for a break, lunch, or a moment of relaxation before returning to Santa Caterina by cable car.