Trentino Alto Adige

Discovering the resort tourist of Trentino Alto Adige mountains.
Reviews and descriptions of the mountain areas of Trentino and Alto Adige where to go in the summer for a vacation or a mountain trip.

Il Trentino Alto Adige it is certainly the capital of the Italian mountains, from the pastures to the peaks of the The Dolomites in the midst of the unspoiled nature of this beautiful region.

Trentino offers different and fantastic destinations such as Trentino Alpine lakes, imposing waterfalls and streams with crystal clear water.

Excursions in the open air, mountain-bike trips, outdoor activities and afternoons spent at the spa: this and much more is offered by the Trentino Alto Adige in summer, with the mountain landscapes that reveal themselves to be an explosion of colours, between thunderous waterfalls, crystal clear lakes and woods rich in plant and animal life.

This region is the perfect destination for organizing an unforgettable summer holiday in the name of nature, relaxation and adventure, suitable for families, sports enthusiasts and young people, who can cultivate their passions here and spend days to remember.

Cheap locations

It is mistakenly thought that the mountains are an expensive holiday destination, but in reality there are enchanting and cheap places in Trentino Alto Adige and the Mocheni Valley is one of them.

It extends in the shadow of the Lagorai chain and enchants with luxuriant forests of ragged and spruce trees, verdant pastures, lakes such as that of Erdemolo at 1994 m. high and farms where you can sleep in close contact with nature. In the farms and in the huts you can taste the typical cuisine of the Mocheni, starting from the sweet mochena braid.

Even in Cembra Valley you can spend a summer holiday saving money, enjoying this landscape of the Fiemme Dolomites: excellent wines are produced on the characteristic terraces of this valley, such as the spumante Trento DOC and the white Müller-Thurgau.

In the Val di Cembra you can discover spectacular places such as the lakes of Piazze and Serraia (awarded with the Blue Flag) or the Holy Lake also portrayed by the painter Dürer. Not to be missed are the Earth Pyramids of Segonzano, very similar to the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Then there is one of the cheap resorts in Trentino Alto Adige la Vanoi Valley, part of the wonderful Paneveggio Natural Park Pale di San Martino: through the Vanoi Ecomuseum, scattered throughout the valley, you can learn about the traditions, history and culture of the area. this valley, where the Botiro di Primiero butter is produced, holds the Calaita Lake, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the whole region.

Location for families with children

During a summer holiday in Trentino Alto Adige no one gets bored, not even the little ones who, with their families, can have fun for example at l'Alpe di Siusi. This spectacular Dolomite plateau, which in summer becomes the scene of the traditional hay harvest, holds places that enchant young and old such as the medieval XNUMXth century Castle of Prösels and the Sorgenti delle Streghe, reachable via a path that starts from Siusi and leads to Bosch Curasoa (ancient haunt of docile witches).

Also the Val di Fiemme it is a perfect place for families to have fun, who can go rafting on the Avisio river, visit llamas and alpacas at the Maso delle Erbe in Tesero or go to the "RespirArt" park on Alpe di Pampeago. In Val di Fiemme you can cycle on the cycle path towards Canazei or take an excursion in the Hidden Wood in Daiano, among installations that evoke fantastic figures.

Then there is Folgaria and Alpe Cimbra, a village in the province of Trento at the foot of Monte Cornetto: from here you can reach the Malga Vallorsara where children can admire the grazing cows. In the hamlet of Guardia you can instead admire colorful murals that have given this village the nickname of "painted village". A visit to the Area dei Forti and in particular to the Austro-Hungarian fort Belvedere, with a visit to the bunkers and environments where the soldiers lived, is not to be missed.

Location Trentino Dolomites

Trentino Alto Adige is one of the 3 regions that are lucky enough to host the Dolomites Unesco Heritage. These mountains are considered among the most beautiful in the world for their imposing peaks with rock walls that soar towards the sky, their appearance gives the landscape an indescribable beauty.

However, not all of Trentino Alto Adige is an area of ​​the Dolomites, these stupendous mountains are concentrated in particular in some valleys, here are some where you can best admire them:

La Val di Fassa is one of the symbolic localities of Trentino Alto Adige, the valley was born in the heart of the Dolomites, right at the foot of the Catinaccio, Sassolungo and Marmolada. There is no better place to organize excursions than Friedrich August trail starting from Col Rodella and arriving at Passo Sella. From Val di Fassa you can then reach the Fuciade Refuge and the Valle di San Nicolò, without giving up a ride on the "Fly Line Catinaccio Rosengarten", flying through the trees like a bird.

During a summer holiday in Trentino a visit to is a must San Martino of Castrozza, in the heart of the Primiero Valley and the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park. You can walk along historic paths such as the Strada dei Formaggi or the Lagorai Trekking, which leads to the Colbricon peak at 2602 m. of height.

One of the most fascinating walks (and accessible to all) is the one that leads to Segantini hut, here you will find yourself in direct sight of the Dolomites which are reflected in a small but spectacular body of water.

Then there is the Val di Funes, the pearl of the Dolomites located in the lush Puez Odle Nature Park, in whose visitor center it is possible to learn about the cultural and geological history of the area.

You can also discover the beautiful Valluzza waterfall or walk the Adolf Munkel path. It is a route that starts from Ranui, whose symbol is the picturesque Baroque Church of San Giovanni and which, passing through the Gampen and Zannes huts, reaches the spectacular Geisleralm refuge.

Location for young people

The mountain is not just a place to rest and enjoy nature: in fact, there are places that are also suitable for the youngest, such as Brunico, whose district of Kronplatz it is full of pubs and bars. The town located on the slopes of Plan de Corones is full of museums that can arouse the curiosity of young people, starting with the Civic Museum, full of works by contemporary artists and the MMM, which pays homage to the famous mountaineer Messner.

Also l'Alta Badia it is a place much appreciated by young people, especially in the summer when it becomes the scene of events such as "Singing for Shelters" and the "Gadersound Open Air" of Pederoa, dedicated to reggae, Ska and folk music.

Do not miss the zip-line of the"Adrenaline X-Treme Adventure Park" located in San Vigilio di Marebbe, where you whiz at 100 m. from the ground for just over 3 km.

Luxury vacation resort

There are those who seek from a vacation comfort, luxury and ease in Trentino Alto Adige there is no shortage of places that offer all this: think for example of the Val Gardena, one of the most beautiful Dolomite valleys located in South Tyrol, full of hotels and refuges full of charm, modern wellness centers and starred restaurants such as the "Alpenroyal Gourmet Restaurant" in Selva and the "Anna Stuben" in Ortisei. In Val Gardena there is also the highest rose garden in Europe, the "Roseto Uhrerhof" in Ortisei, a place that makes beauty its main characteristic.

Even in Alta Badia comfort is not lacking, given the presence of luxurious hotels, horse riding centers and the highest golf course in all of Europe located a stone's throw from Corvara. In Alta Badia there is the highest concentration of starred restaurants, where you can taste the local cuisine revisited by expert chefs: however, there is no shortage of refuges where you can satisfy your palate in typically alpine environments, such as the Edelweiss and Jimmy refuges, reachable from Colfosco .

Among the mountain resorts more in then there is Madonna di Campiglio, a village in the province of Trento located between the Adamello and Presanelle Alps and the Brenta Dolomites. In this town, where there is no lack of opportunity to go shopping in the luxury boutiques in Viale Dolomiti, the Empress Sissi loved to stay in the summer, even with her husband Francesco Giuseppe.

The Salone Hofer of the Hotel Relais preserves the ancient splendor of the time, with also the portraits of the two famous Austro-Hungarian kings.

Location with authentic nature

La Val Senales is a small valley in the southern Rhaetian Alps and is a very luxuriant place that includes gems such as the Gruppo di Tessa Natural Park.

In Val Senales there are splendid places like the Vernagt lake at 1700m high, from whose emerald waters emerges the top of the bell tower of the submerged village with the construction of the dam in the 50s.

Equally suggestive are Lake Sassalbo and Laghetto Nero, located near Giogo Tasca and Maso Corto, located at 3000 m. of height. The villages of the valley themselves are immersed in idyllic landscapes: in Madonna di Senales, for example, stands the open-air museum ArcheoParc, related to the mummy Ötzi.

Equally pristine is the Val Aurina, surrounded by about eighty mountains including the Sasso Nero, the Vetta d'Italia, the Monte Fumo and the Cima di Campo. It is a valley full of bubblers streams and lakes, among which the Neves Lake in the Valle dei Mulini and the Selva Lake.

The real jewel of the Valle Aurina are the waterfalls and among these the Riva Waterfall, in the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Natural Park and the suggestive Frankbach Waterfall, which can be reached via a pleasant path that passes through the Grotta degli Orsi and the Bizat Refuge.

Val d'Ultimo, on the border with the Val di Non, has the typical Tyrolean charm and enjoys the pristine beauty of the Stelvio National Park. The symbol of the valley are certainly the Three Larches, millenary plant monuments that are at least 2 centuries old: they rise at an altitude of 1430m and can be reached from the village of Santa Gertrude. In the valley, the Hartungen Waterfall, near the Tre Larici and Lake Zoccolo, located between Pracupola and Santa Valburga, are also worth a visit.

Wellness holidays

Many of the spas and wellness areas in Italy are located right in the mountains, using high-altitude springs and natural products to practice beneficial treatments for the body and mind.

For example, one of the oldest wellness centers in Trentino Alto Adige is the "Heubad", located at the Alpe di Siusi, in Fiè allo Sciliar. In this location in South Tyrol, perfect for practicing yoga, the climate is sunny and favors invigorating walks in nature on the 45 km of trails.

Hay is the main element of the treatments on the Alpe di Siusi, used for baths, peelings and massages, assisted with mountain pine and mountain herbs such as arnica and gentian.

Also the Val Sarentino is a destination to be taken into consideration for wellness holidays: in this South Tyrolean corner, closely tied to its German-speaking traditions, stands the "Alpine Wellness Center Eschgfeller". It is a characteristic, typically alpine garni, complete with a sauna and the possibility of undergoing the traditional bath with the Sarentino mountain pine.

Also the Val Gardena is the perfect place to regenerate body and spirit, with unique experiences such as the "Wood Emotion Val Gardena": these are organized walks in the woods, during which breathing exercises are practiced which allow you to draw energy from the trees and get in touch with the nature.

In Val Gardena, precisely in Ortisei, there is also the "Fit 181", a vast wellness and fitness area, but above all the "Mar Dolomit": it is a real aquatic world with indoor and outdoor pools, also suitable for sportsmen and children, as well as saunas and a fun waterslide.

Location between city and mountain

It is said that in the mountains there are only small villages lost in the Dolomite valleys: in Trentino Alto Adige there are real towns nestled in the mountains and full of things to see. 

Bressanone, in Valle Isarco, revolves around the enchanting Piazza Duomo, overlooked by the Renaissance Town Hall, the Church of S.Michele Arcangelo with the majestic White Tower and the Cathedral dating back to 980 AD. Also worth seeing are the Bishop's Palace, home to the Diocesan Museum and the Museum of Cribs, but also the ancient Stufles district, full of colorful South Tyrolean houses and flowered balconies.

From Bressanone you reach the Plose, a mountain embraced by peaks such as the Gabler and Telegrafo mountains, reachable with the Bressanone-Plose cable car. This is a place where in the summer everyone can have fun in the open air between mountain-bike rides, walks such as the "WoodyWalk" with a view of the Odle and Sass de Putia or the Lorggen path, which leads first to the viewing platform and then to the Pfannspitz mountain hut. With the "Mountaincarts" you can also go down to the valley with vehicles similar to tricycles on a route of about 9 km.

Another of the most beautiful mountain towns is Vipiteno, a village of prehistoric origin which has its symbol in the Torre dei Dodici, a Gothic tower from 1472 which dominates the village from 46 m. of height. Vipiteno is rich in churches, from that of the Santo Spirito Hospital of 1399 to the Church of the Madonna della Palude dating back to the XNUMXth century. Also worth a visit is the fifteenth-century Town Hall, which houses the late-Gothic Council Hall, one of the most beautiful in the whole of Tyrol.

Then we cannot forget about Merano, in Val Venosta, much loved by Princess Sissi and still today by many tourists, enchanted by its historic center and the beautiful Via dei Portici, but also by the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, among the most beautiful in all of Italy. Equally enchanting is the Tappeiner Promenade which, along its 6 km, offers unique views of Merano, among magnolias, agaves and very fragrant aromatic herbs.

Do not miss Merano 2000, an excursion area from which to discover panoramic places such as the Piffingköpfl or the San Pacrazio lake located at 2116 m. high, in whose waters the profile of the Laste di Verdinis peak is reflected.

Locality of the Trentino lakes

Trentino Alto Adige is famous for its lakes that mirror the Alpine peaks, some are located in the valleys and are easy to reach (some even by car) while others can only be reached by trekking immersed in nature.

La Val di Non it is framed between the peaks of the Brenta and Maddalene Dolomites and its territory is dotted with enchanting lakes including Lake Tovel: it is also called the "red lake" due to the flowering of an alga which gives the waters a particular reddish coloring. Then there are Lake Tret, Lake Santa Giustina and Lake Smeraldo, located in a basin at an altitude of 1000 m which can be reached via the Sentiero del Burrone.

Among the most iconic lakes in Trentino is Lake Resia located at the Resia Step, an Alpine pass located between Italy, Austria and Switzerland. The characteristic of this lake, surrounded by forests and green meadows, is the bell tower that emerges from the waters from which, according to legend, the bells ring on some winter nights. The building belongs to the church of the village of Curon, evacuated and submerged during the construction of the dam.

Even in Val di Sole there is no shortage of splendid alpine lakes: there are more than 100 of them and among these the Lago dei Caprioli stands out, located in the Fazzon area at 1280 m. high, Lake Covel with the homonymous malga just a stone's throw away and Lake Pian Palù which can be reached from Pejo.

Lake Malghette is also very beautiful, in the shadow of Cima Artuike which can be reached from Passo Carlo Magno, not far from Madonna di Campiglio.

Locality Waterfalls of Trentino

Lovers of waterfalls cannot fail to include a stop in their summer holiday in Trentino Alto Adige Val di Tures and in the annexed Valle Aurina: here it is possible to enjoy the beauty of the Riva waterfall, located in the Vedrette di Ries-Aurina Natural Park and reachable from Campo Tures via the San Francesco path. Then there is the Frankbach waterfall which dominates the village of San Giovanni and the Rio Nero waterfall, a spectacular silver ribbon that flows from a narrow rocky crevice to end up in a clear pool.

It does not disappoint in this sense either Val di Rabbi, in the Stelvio National Park, as it hosts the Saent waterfalls, among the most beautiful in the whole region and reachable from Coler. Equally enchanting is the Valorz waterfall, which can be reached with the Valorz path including the Kneipp path.

Mountain bike location

Those who love the mountains also for mountain-biking excursions in the wildest and most uncontaminated nature can reach the Val di Sole, a real paradise for lovers of two wheels. Here, in addition to the Val di Sole cycle path between Pejo and Mostizzolo, there is the "Bike Park" in Daolasa di Commezzadura, with different routes suitable for everyone's abilities. You can then go on excursions on the Path of the Waterfalls or on the Ancient Emperor's Road, between Campo Carlo Magno and Malè.

Also to Andalo Molveno, in the province of Trento and in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park, there are many opportunities to have fun on a mountain bike, with various proposals linked to the "Dolomiti Paganella" project.
At the "Pump Trak", near Lake Molveno, there is a skill area where you can train, while the more experienced can pedal along the road that connects Andalo, Molveno, Ranzo and Paganella, with a constant view of the Brenta Dolomites.

La Val di Fassa it is another place suitable for mountain bike lovers, being the scene of numerous summer events such as the "Sella Ronda Bike Day" and the "Maratona delle Dolomiti". You can cycle on the paths of the Fassa Bike Park or among the Ladin valleys of the Dolomiti Lagorai Bike Grand Tour.

For the less trained, the Cicalbile Val di Fassa-Val di Fiemme is ideal and connects Canazei to Molina di Fiemme along the Avisio torrent.

Simple hiking locations

Experiencing the mountains in summer means undertaking excursions, even rather easy ones, to discover panoramic places of undisputed beauty. In Val di Funes it is possible to walk along the Zannes Nature Trail, crossing the Piuswiese meadows up to the Keldere Wiese Refuge.

Then there is the Giro delle Malghe which leads, from Malga Zannes, to the Rifugio delle Odle, along paths no. 36 and no. 35., with the sharp peaks of the Odle always in the background. Starting from Malga Zannes you can also reach the Genova Refuge and the natural balcony of Col di Poma.

Even in Val di Fiemme it is possible to make simple excursions, for example towards the Labyrinth of Latemar, starting from Lake Carezza, or from Cavalese to the Bombasel lakes or again, starting from Pian dei Casoni, towards Baita Segantini in the shade of the Pale di San Martino.

The walk that leads from Pampeago to the high-altitude park of the "ResirArt" is also worthwhile, along a path that passes by the Chalet Caserina, which also allows you to have tasty picnics on the lawns.

Other simple excursions can be done among the idyllic landscapes of the Val Pusteria, such as the path that leads from Prato Piazza, in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Natural Park, to the Vallandro refuge at 2400 m. of height.

Location excursions at high altitude

Those who are more trained and want to reach other peaks can try their hand at high-altitude excursions, such as the one that village of Soldiers, in Val Venosta, leads to the Payer Hut located at 3029 m. high, passing through the Tabaretta Refuge and the Forcella dell'Orso.

Still from Solda and taking the Sassolungo chairlift, take path no. 3 (Morosini path) towards the K2 refuge at 2330 m. high, walking in the heart of the southern Rhaetian Alps.
The excursion to the Alto del Coston Refuge, located at 2662 m. high, starts from Solda and winds along path no. 4 and then no. 10 (Alta Via), passing through the Vedretta End of the World.

Also the Val Senales it is full of routes that touch considerable heights, such as the excursion towards Punta della Vedretta at 3289 m. high, unfrozen peak at the edge of the Ötztal Alps.
Alternatively you can reach 2890 m. in height of the Cima Croda Rotta which can be reached via path no. 18 or the spectacular viewing platform Iceman Ötzi Peak, with a view of the Val Senales Glacier.

At the foot of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park it extends la Val Rendena and here you can make an exciting excursion to the vault of the XII Apostoli Refuge at 2487 m. high, with a view of the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello: it starts from Pinzolo and crosses the Doss del Sabion and the Bregn da l'Ors Pass.

Equally satisfying is the Tour of the Five Lakes, which starts from the Pancugolo Refuge which can be reached from Madonna di Campiglio by cable car: with a vertical drop of 700 m, you meet Lake Ritorto, Lake Lambin and Lake Serodoli located at 2708 m. of height.

Quick answers on holidays in Trentino Alto Adige