Location and surroundings
Monte Cadria belongs to the Garda Mountains, within the wider chain of the Central European Highlands > Alps > Eastern Alps > Southern Limestone Alps > Brescia and Garda Prealps. It is in Italy, in Trentino – Alto Adige/Südtirol, and administratively in the municipality of Ledro, Provincia di Trento. At 2,250 m, it is the highest of the 451 named peaks in the Garda Mountains and the range’s high point.
The mountain sits above the Ledro area, west of the Lake Garda side of the Trentino mountains, with steep ridges, alpine grass, rocky slopes and old military lines in the wider landscape. Nearby settlements include Lenzumo to the southeast and Creto and Cologna to the west. The summit area is part of a protected reserve network, and the terrain is typical of a limestone alpine ridge with open views and exposed sections.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named peaks and passes help show how Monte Cadria sits among the Ledro ridges. The summit is higher than all of these nearby points, with only a few peaks rising close to its elevation.
- La Roda — 2,168 m, 2.0 km NE
- Monte Vies — 1,699 m, 2.1 km S
- Roccia Campei — 2,062 m, 3.0 km NE
- Monte Nae — 1,180 m, 3.6 km S
- Monte dei Pini — 1,454 m, 3.6 km S
- Corno dei Giu — 2,052 m, 3.8 km NE
- La Rocca — 1,474 m, 4.3 km SE
- Col Plagna — 1,027 m, 4.6 km S
Among these, La Roda is the nearest high neighbour, but Monte Cadria remains the highest point in the area. The surrounding summits are lower and form the ridges and shoulders that frame the mountain from the north, east and south.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks are the big alpine summits to the northwest and north. The most prominent distant mountains listed for the area are Monte Carè Alto at 3,465 m, about 20.4 km NW, and Corno di Cavento at 3,406 m, about 23.5 km N.
From Monte Cadria, these peaks define the broader skyline beyond the Garda Mountains. The summit itself is a viewpoint, so on clear days the open top should give a wide look across the Ledro ridges and toward the higher Adamello group to the north and northwest.
The range
Monte Cadria is the high point of the Garda Mountains, which are part of the Brescia and Garda Prealps in the Southern Limestone Alps. The range has 451 named peaks, and Monte Cadria ranks first by elevation among them. Its prominence of 1,434 m shows that it rises well above the surrounding terrain.
The Garda Mountains span the alpine borderland of northern Italy, but Monte Cadria itself lies in Italy, in the Trentino side of the range. In local terms it is the highest summit of the Ledro mountains, and in the wider range it is the reference point for the whole group.
Climbing routes
Several marked routes cross or pass near the summit, including Senter de Vies, Sentiero della Pace, Sentiero della Pace - Tappa 5, and Alpiedi Ledro Alps Trek - Tappa 4. These names suggest a network of long-distance and local paths rather than a single standard ascent line. The summit area also has a viewpoint nearby, which fits its role as a walking destination.
The mountain’s old name Monte Geometra reflects its history as a place used for surveying. For walkers, the main practical point is that the summit is reached by mountain paths in alpine terrain, with route choice depending on where you start in the Ledro area and how much height gain you are prepared for.
Access and starting points
The nearest settlements listed around Monte Cadria are Lenzumo 3.6 km to the southeast, Creto 4.6 km to the west, Cologna 4.7 km to the west, and Locca 4.9 km to the southeast. From Lenzumo, the rough walking time is about 2.5–4 hours for an estimated 4.7 km on foot and 1,460 m of ascent.
OpenStreetMap features around the summit include Bivacco Malga Pura to the north, Malga Visi - Ernia to the northeast, and Bivacco Malga Ringia to the west. The summit area is also linked to marked hiking routes, so access is usually by foot from the Ledro side rather than by road to the top.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data adjusted to summit height. At Monte Cadria, the warmest month at the summit is about 11 °C in July, and the coldest is about -7 °C in January. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 1,050 mm, with the wettest month in November at about 120 mm and the driest in January at about 45 mm.
In the Alps at this height, weather can change quickly, with summer thunderstorms, wind on exposed ridges, and snow or ice outside the warm season. The summit is above freezing on average from April through October, so shoulder-season conditions can still be cold and slippery.
Best time to visit
The months with a mean temperature above freezing at the summit are April, May, June, July, August, September and October. For a normal hiking ascent, the most comfortable period is usually the core summer months, when snow cover is least likely and the days are longest.
Because the area is still alpine, early spring and late autumn can bring lingering snow, wet ground and poor visibility. The drier part of the year is around January, but that is also the coldest period, so it is not the best time for a summit walk.
Nature and wildlife
Monte Cadria lies in the Rete di riserve Alpi Ledrensi, so the summit area is part of a protected mountain landscape. The slopes are typical of the southern limestone Alps: open grass, rocky outcrops, sparse shrubs and patches of subalpine vegetation where the ground allows it.
At this elevation, wildlife is usually that of the alpine belt, with birds of prey overhead, chamois on steeper ground and smaller mountain fauna in the meadows and scree. The open summit and ridges are also shaped by old pasture use and wartime works, which add to the human layer of the landscape.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Monte Cadria, a certified guide is useful if you want help with route-finding, weather judgement or a longer traverse, especially outside the main summer season. In Italy, the national guide body is the National College of Italian Alpine Guides, which is an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the Club Alpino Italiano.
Examples of established guiding companies in Italy include Società Guide Alpine Courmayeur and Società Guide Alpine del Cervino. Guided outings usually depend on the length of the route, group size, hut nights and equipment needs. For local planning, tourist offices in the Ledro area and the Italian guide association are sensible places to ask about current conditions and suitable leaders.
Safety and preparation
Monte Cadria is a high alpine walk rather than a low hill hike. Expect steep ground, exposed ridges, loose rock, sudden weather changes and possible snow patches well into the season. Good boots, layers, navigation tools and enough water are important, especially because the summit area is open and can be windy.
For mountain rescue in Italy, the emergency number is 112. Ask for Soccorso Alpino if you need mountain rescue. The number works through any available network, so it is still worth carrying a charged phone, but you should not rely on coverage in every hollow or behind every ridge.
History and name
The mountain has long been known as Monte Cadria, and older sources also use the name Monte Geometra. The second name reflects its use by Austrian surveyors in the 18th and 19th centuries, when they stayed on the mountain for triangulation work. Local explanations of the name Cadria vary, with proposals ranging from Latin roots to Celtic ones.
The ridge also has a wartime history. During the First World War, the Ledro sector was fortified, and the mountain formed part of the defensive line between Austrian and Italian positions. In February 1917, an Italian Farman MF.11 aircraft was shot down in the area, adding another layer to the mountain’s military past.
Interesting facts
Monte Cadria is the highest of the 451 named peaks in the Garda Mountains, and it is the range’s high point. Its prominence is 1,434 m, which makes it stand out clearly from the surrounding ridges. The nearest higher major peaks are far to the north and northwest, including Monte Carè Alto and Corno di Cavento.
The summit is also a viewpoint and lies within a protected reserve network. Its alternative name, Monte Geometra, is a reminder of the mountain’s surveying history, while the wartime remains in the Ledro area show how strategically important this ridge once was.
FAQ
How high is Monte Cadria? It rises to 2,250 m.
Where is Monte Cadria? It is in Ledro, in the Provincia di Trento, in Trentino – Alto Adige/Südtirol, in northern Italy.
What range does Monte Cadria belong to? It is the highest point of the Garda Mountains, within the Brescia and Garda Prealps.
What are the nearest peaks? The closest listed neighbours are La Roda 2.0 km northeast, Monte Vies 2.1 km south, and Roccia Campei 3.0 km northeast.
Is there water on the way to Monte Cadria? There is a drinking-water point about 1.3 km north of the summit, and huts such as Bivacco Malga Pura and Malga Visi - Ernia are also nearby. On the mountain itself, carry enough water for the day, usually 1.5–3 litres depending on heat and route length.
How long does it take to walk up from Lenzumo? From Lenzumo, the rough walking time is about 2.5–4 hours for an estimated 4.7 km and 1,460 m of ascent. The real path may be longer.
Will my phone work on the mountain? There are 17 communication masts within 10 km, and the nearest is about 3.1 km west. On an open summit a signal is more likely, but it can fail in valleys and behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you set out.