Location and surroundings
Stübele belongs to the chain of the Central European Highlands > Alps > Eastern Alps > Southern Limestone Alps > Southern Rhaetian Alps > Nonsberg Group. It is in Italy, in the municipality of Rumo, province of Provincia di Trento, region Trentino – Alto Adige/Südtirol. In the Nonsberg Group it ranks as the 9th highest of 125 named peaks.
The mountain rises above a landscape of ridges, passes and high pasture terrain. Nearby valleys and slopes include the areas around Clapa, Lavazzè and Monte d'Ora, which reach toward its flanks. The setting is typical of the southern Alpine limestone belt: steep grassy and rocky ground higher up, with forested approaches lower down.
Neighbouring peaks
Stübele sits among several close summits and passes that shape its ridges and approaches:
- Seefeldjoch (mountain pass), 2,344 m, 0.7 km east
- Schrummscharte (mountain pass), 2,407 m, 1.2 km southwest
- Bichlberg (peak), 2,575 m, 1.2 km north
- Seefeld Spitz (peak), 2,530 m, 1.3 km east
- Schrummspitz (peak), 2,570 m, 1.5 km south
- Cima Binazia (peak), 2,639 m, 1.8 km southwest
- Millerscharte (mountain pass), 2,405 m, 1.9 km northeast
- Passo Binasia (mountain pass), 2,296 m, 2.5 km south
Compared with these neighbours, Stübele is one of the higher points in the immediate area, but it is not the highest. Cima Binazia is slightly lower, while Bichlberg and Schrummspitz are close in height. The nearby passes show how the summit is linked into a broken ridge system rather than standing alone.
The view from the summit
From Stübele, the wider alpine skyline includes some much higher peaks within 25 km. To the west are Monte Cevedale (3,769 m, 24.8 km), Monte Vioz (3,645 m, 24.5 km) and Vertainspitze (3,545 m, 24.4 km). Also visible in that direction are Mittl. Pederspitz (3,462 m, 22.4 km), Cima Sternai (3,443 m, 12.9 km) and Gioveretto (3,439 m, 12.5 km).
These peaks show how Stübele looks out toward the higher central Alpine massifs. The view reaches from the nearer ridges of the Nonsberg Group to the glaciated and higher summits of the western horizon, especially in clear weather.
The range
Stübele belongs to the Nonsberg Group, the narrowest range in its hierarchy. The group’s highest peak is Gleck at 2,957 m, about 11 km west of Stübele. The Nonsberg Group contains 125 named peaks, and Stübele ranks 9th highest among them.
The range lies in the southern Alpine limestone belt of northern Italy. Stübele is therefore part of a compact mountain group with many named summits, passes and ridge links, rather than a single isolated mountain. Its position near the upper end of the group’s height list makes it a notable summit within that local system.
Climbing routes
The best-known ascent starts from Mocenigo in the north-west of the Non Valley. From there, the route goes to Fontane, then along a forest road toward Malga Lavazzè and on to Malga Masa Murada. From the hut area, the path continues west on trail 134, passing Poinella Lake and reaching Siromba Pass. The final section follows the ridge to the summit.
This ascent is described as technically straightforward, but long and demanding because of the height gain, which is around 1,600 m. It is better suited to well-trained hikers and mountain walkers than to casual visitors.
Access and starting points
The main starting point named for Stübele is Mocenigo, a village in Rumo, on the eastern side of the approach described in the route material. Another settlement close to the mountain is St. Nikolaus - San Nicolò, 5.1 km north of the summit at about 1,260 m. Sankt Gertraud - Santa Gertrude lies 5.7 km northwest, and Mocenigo itself is 5.7 km east of the summit.
From St. Nikolaus - San Nicolò, the rough walking time to the top is about 3–4.5 hours for an estimated 6.6 km on foot and 1,390 m of ascent. The real path may be longer depending on the chosen line.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data, adjusted to summit height. At the summit, the warmest month is July at about 8 °C, and the coldest is January at about -10 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing are typical from May through September.
The surrounding area receives about 900 mm of precipitation a year. August is the wettest month at about 125 mm, while January is the driest at about 35 mm. In this part of the Alps, summer thunderstorms, wet snow at higher levels, fog on ridges and rapid weather changes are common hazards.
Best time to visit
For a summit at 2,650 m in the southern Alps, the most practical season is usually late spring to early autumn, when the snow cover has retreated and the summit temperatures are less severe. On Stübele, the months with mean temperatures above freezing at summit level are May, June, July, August and September.
Among those months, the more settled walking conditions are often found in early summer and early autumn, while midsummer can bring afternoon storms. Snow patches may still linger in shaded places in May and early June, and the ridge can become slippery after rain or fresh snow.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes around Stübele fit the usual southern Alpine pattern: lower forest belts, then open pasture, rocky ribs and grass-covered ridges higher up. In summer, alpine flowers appear on the meadows and ledges, while the upper ground becomes increasingly sparse and stony. The area is suitable for mountain birds, marmots and other high-altitude wildlife typical of the Alps.
Because the summit is in a limestone mountain group, the terrain can include broken rock, short steep grass slopes and exposed ridge sections. In winter and spring, snow and ice can linger on shaded faces and in hollows, changing the character of the route well into the warm season.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Stübele, a certified guide is most useful if you want to combine route-finding, pace control and local knowledge, especially when snow remains on the ridge or visibility is poor. In Italy, the national guide body is the National College of Italian Alpine Guides, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI).
Examples of established guiding companies in Italy include Società Guide Alpine Courmayeur and Società Guide Alpine del Cervino. Guided outings in the Alps usually depend on the number of days, group size, hut nights and equipment needs. For local planning, visitors often also ask tourist offices in nearby valley towns and villages.
Safety and preparation
Stübele is not a technical peak, but it is a long mountain walk with a substantial height gain and ridge terrain. Good fitness, sturdy footwear, weather awareness and enough water are important. In poor visibility, the passes and ridge links can make navigation harder, and wet grass or snow can increase the risk of slips.
For mountain rescue in Italy, the emergency number is 112. Ask for Soccorso Alpino (CNSAS), the national mountain rescue service. In the mountains, mobile coverage can change quickly with terrain, so it is wise to carry a charged phone and offline maps.
History and name
The mountain is known by several names: Stübele, Cima Stubele and Pluderspitz. The Italian name Cima Stubele is used in the local mountain literature, while the other forms reflect the multilingual character of the Trentino–South Tyrol border area.
Local descriptions place the summit on an important orographic node for the surrounding valleys, and the summit cross is said to give a broad panorama over the Non Valley, the Ultimo Valley and the higher Ortles-Cevedale group in the distance.
Interesting facts
Stübele is the 9th highest of 125 named peaks in the Nonsberg Group. The group high point is Gleck, 11 km to the west, so Stübele sits below the range’s top but still among its higher summits. Its border-area setting in the Trentino–South Tyrol mountain landscape gives it a position between several valleys and ridge systems.
The summit is close to a cluster of passes and peaks, including Seefeldjoch, Schrummscharte and Millerscharte. That makes it part of a compact alpine network where ridges, saddles and neighbouring tops are tightly linked.
FAQ
How high is Stübele? Stübele rises to 2,650 m.
Where is Stübele? It is in Rumo, in the Provincia di Trento of Trentino – Alto Adige/Südtirol, in northern Italy, within the Nonsberg Group of the Alps.
What is the nearest higher peak? The highest peak of the Nonsberg Group is Gleck at 2,957 m, about 11 km west of Stübele.
What peaks and passes are closest to Stübele? The nearest are Seefeldjoch 0.7 km east, Schrummscharte 1.2 km southwest, Bichlberg 1.2 km north and Seefeld Spitz 1.3 km east.
Are there huts on Stübele? Malga Masa Murada is a wilderness hut, 1.4 km southeast of the summit.
Is there water on the way to Stübele? The route crosses high mountain ground where water can be scarce away from huts and snowmelt. Carry about 1.5–3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length, and treat any snowmelt or stream water before drinking.
How long does it take to walk up Stübele? From St. Nikolaus - San Nicolò, the rough walking time is about 3–4.5 hours for an estimated 6.6 km and 1,390 m of ascent; the real path may be longer.
Is mobile phone coverage reliable? There are 3 mapped communication masts within 10 km, the nearest about 5.2 km west. On open ground a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys and behind ridges. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.