Caldaro/ Kaltern in Alto Adige/ South Tirol

Caldaro is a beautiful small town situated on the famous Strada del Vino (the wine road).

It is about 45km away from Trento, in the direction of Bolzano so the drivetime takes about 45mins. 

The town is worth visiting and you could perhaps stop by in one of its Konditorei or Cafes where they serve a continental long coffee with delicious cakes. If you are a fan of antiques, one Sunday every month there is a flea market in the main square of Caldaro. For the exact days please consult the website of Kalterersee/ Lago di Caldaro below.

I attach a link to the website with all the walks around Caldaro.

http://www.kalterersee.com/it/montagne-ed-escursioni/

 

There is one easy walk around the Caldaro lake that is especially recommended to do in spring time when the apple trees blossom. The
starting point is near the Lido, coming from Trento, follow La strade dei vini, then the indications for the Lago di Caldaro/ Kalterersee. Leave your car at the free of charge car park near the lake. You will see that the path around the lake is very well sign posted. It takes you mostly on the tarmac narrow road with very few cars passing. After a 5 minutes’ walk turn right and proceed towards Campi al Lago. Carry on along the foot of Leuchtenburg Castle. Proceed to S. Giovanni, from where you return to your starting point. 

 There is a possibility of getting some refreshments at the Lido and at other points around the lake though many places are open only during the summer months.

Yesterday we went to Caldaro to visit the Eisloecher or the Buche del ghiaccio in Appiano/ Eppan (the icy holes). From the Stada dei Vini we followed the indications for Appiano. We left the car near the fire station in Pianizza di Sopra di Caldaro. From there we turned right and followed the path n15 that took us to the ruins of the old church of San Giorgio (only one tall tower is well visible from the car park near the fire staion). There we followed a well sign posted path up the mountain to see those holes of ice. We didn't see any ice but it was refreshingly cold there. The kids enjoyed climbing and jumping on the stones. The whole walk wasn't long, it took us only about 15 mins each way, no special shoes required although it's best to visit when it's warm and dry because it's colder there and the footpath stones can be slippery if wet.

There is also a lovely walk up in the mountains visiting some malge and trying delicious local specialities. The walk takes you from the mountain of Mendola to Roen and it involves going with a special cable car. To be honest you don't have to go all the way up to Roen, there are plenty nice and easy paths once you are up on the Mendola.
You take this cable car (la funiculare) from S. Antonio. It takes you 854 m high so it saves you a lot of walking. From Mendola follow south footpath no. 500 where you soon will reach the first possible refreshment stop: Halbweghütte which also has a playground and toys for children. Continue on the same path until you arrive at the Malga di Romeno where you will also find a small chapel. From there there is a short distance to cover to get to the top of Roen where you'll get a great view of the sourounding mountains. To go back just use the same way.

Here's the link to the website of the cable car Mendola:

http://www.sii.bz.it/it/funivie-treno.php

Here's the website with a brief history of the cable car, the website is in Italian and in English
http://www.oltradige.it/it/attrazioni/la-funicolare-sul-monte-mendola.html



In the nearby S Antonio you will also find a Parco Avventura- an  advanture park fory your children. Here's the link: 


http://www.kalterersee.com/it/highlights/parco-avventura-caldaro.html

Duration: you could easily spend a day around Caldaro.


Level: easy, the path around the lake is accessible with a stroller.


Refreshements and toilet facilities: around the lake and in Caldaro.

 
How to get there: from Trento take the highway A22 towards Brennero, come out from the highway at Caldaro, follow the indications for the Kaltern See/ Lago di Caldaro

The lake of Tavon and Coredo

What is really particular about this place is its tranquility. We discovered these small artificial lakes during our stay in a nearby hotel. We had a great mini-holiday because we left the car in the car park and did not have to use it during our stay. In other words you will not find any big roads here, just easy footpaths and nature all around. 

You can go for a walk around the 2 lakes and then take a rest at a nearby large playground. It's really well equipped, a good balance between plenty of shade and sunny spots and you can have a picnic or a BBQ there as well.
The nearby Agriturismo offers horse-riding lessons or you could go for a pony ride.

Now it's time for some facts, Tavon is 883 m high, from here you can start many of your walks, for example  the one to the San Romedio Sanctuary.

Duration: half a day or one day trip

Level: easy, accessible with a stroller

Refreshments and toilet facilities: there is a bar nearby.

How to get there:  from Trento take SS43 for Val di Non until Dermulo, turn right towards Passo Mendola, then follow indications for Coredo and Localita' Palu.

http://www.valledinon.tn.it/Interne/Laghetti_di_Coredo_e_Tavon_interna.ashx?ID=9790

website with all the basic info in En

http://www.predaiavacanze.it/brochure/Trekking/24-27%20COREDO.pdf  

map of walks

Segonzano and the Earth Pyramids

Segonzano is famous for its pyramids. Pyramids?!!!!! In the middle of Trentino? Well, these are a very special type of earth pyramids, or pillars up to 20 m high. There is a comfortable car park on your right with stalls selling local produce. You can't miss it as it is just before the village of Segonzano and there are big signs. Follow the footpath for the pyramids. It's a short and pleasant walk up the mountain (I can vaguely remember it took us about 30 mins with small children). From there you'll have great views of the valley and the pyramids.


Duration: 1 hour walk 


Level: easy walk but not suitable for strollers


Refreshments and toilet facilities: a bar available at the car park but no toilets.

How to get there: it's about 25 km from Trento. First take SS 47 towards Padova, turn right and follow the signs for Fornace and Baselga di Pine', then take SP71 towards Fornace.

http://www.visittrentino.it/en/E/trentino/localita_turistiche/dettagli/dett/segonzano

http://www.magicoveneto.it/Trentino/Segonzano/Segonzano-1.htm 

a website with a list of walks all in Italian

http://www.italytraveller.com/en/x/green-ideas/e/walking-with-durer     an interesting website in EN about the connecions between the painter Duerer and the area of Segonzano

Lago di Molveno and Andalo

Here is a nice little trip combining the Lake of Molveno and Andalo. The first is more of a summer destination, the second is busy with skiers in winter.

Molveno is a nice little town up in the mountains in the Altepiano of Paganella (864 n above the sea level). It has the second biggest lake in Trentino where you can even swim in summer. It has a nice lido and big stratches of grass and nice playgrounds to keep your children occupied for hours. There are also chairlifts to the peaks of the Dolomites from which you can start your different hiking trips or stop and play around in the Forest Park or see how farms work at the Malga Tovre.

In summer during the Ferragosto, which is always on the 14 of August there is a fireworks' display on the lake.

How to get there: by car from Trento follow the directions for Fai della Paganella, then Andalo, then Molveno.

Here's the website with all the information about Molveno:

http://www.molveno.it/

Walks around Molveno.

1. An easy walk around the lake which takes 2 hours 30 mins. Start from the beach and continue in the anti-clockwise direction towards the Ponte Romano (the Roman Bridge). Next follow indications for the Fortini di Napoleone (the fortifications of Napoleon) where the path becomes slightly more difficult. Baita Fortini is a good stop for refreshments.

2. An easy walk from the reservoir of Bior to Molveno or Andalo that takes 1 hour 30 mins. Pass by the Bar Ganzienella, if you want to go back to Molveno from here continue until you find yourself on the main road (strada provinciale) that takes you in no time back to Molveno.

If, however, you want to Continue to Andalo, you've got to continue climbing for 30-35 mins more in the valley formed by the Rio Lambin until the famous Ponte Lambin (the Lambin Bridge near the cable of Gaggia Paganella).

Andalo lies 1040 m above the sea level in the heart of the Dolomiti di Brenta mountains. In in winter its mountain Paganella is full of skiers on its excellent ski slopes and in summer it offers a lot of hiking and mountain biking opportunities. The particular location of the mountain offers 360 degrees views all around the Adige valley. For those who do not want to walk there is a cable car to take you up to the top of Paganella at 2125m.

Here's the list of things to do for children in Andalo during summer:

http://www.visitdolomitipaganella.it/en/family-fun/?s=999

And here's the list of hikes for families with older children:

http://www.laroda.it/eng/estate.htm

Here's the webstite with the cable car opening times and prices:

http://www.paganella.net/sito/news.php?idn=129

Walks around Fai della Paganella:

1. The walk: Percorso Vita which is the Trim Trail at the Capannina woods with the start at the playground, it takes about 35-40 mins. You can combine it with Dos Castel: follow the indications, it takes 10 mins to get there and then 10 mins to get back the same way. If you turn towards Valiart you can reach Fai dellla Paganella in 20 mins, passing a small lake which is empty in summer.

2. A short 10 mins long panoramic walk near Ori. Starting Point is Belvedare towards la Capannina, a very easy walk with plenty of sunshine.

Walks around Andalo:

1. A very easy walk around the lake that takes around 1 hour. Starting point: the sports centre in Andalo.

2. An easy walk from Andalo Maso Ghezzi to Pradel that takes 1 hour 30 mins one way. It's well signposted and it takes you through the forest and into an open sunny space with beatiful views. Valbiole is a good place for a first stop or for a picnic. Follow directions for Spiaz del Piov that takes you towards Pradel. It's a much nicer and more characteristic footpath than a normal dirt track. After reaching Spiaz del Piov follow indications for Baita Bruniol, from here follow indications for Pradel.

On the Altopiano of Pradel you can find the Forest Park but we haven't visited yet. Here's the link:

http://www.visitdolomitipaganella.it/it/altopiano-di-pradel/?s=12s

The link to the website of the Forest Park:

http://www.forestpark.it/start.php?page=altipiano_di_pradel&lang=IT

The lake of Tovel

The Lake of Tovel presents another opportunity for a lovely, not too long a walk around the lake which is situated 1178m above the sea level and it lies within the Parco Naturale Adamello-Brenta (the nature park). You can walk around the lake (average time 1 hour). The path is flat and the landscape is breath-taking.

Duration: 1 hour

Level: easy but not suitable for strollers

Refreshments and toilet facilities: none

How to get there: if you travel by car from Trento follow the indications for Cles. Here take the local road to Tuenno; at the end of the village you will find the road sign for the lake. Go to the car park and then, after a few minutes walk you will reach the lake.


The place itself is lovely and offers many walks but it could be combined with the Flying Funpark, a climbing adventure centre. I've just found it on the web and I definitely must go there: http://www.vacanzeitinerari.it/schede/flying_park_sc_3717.htm. I' ve seen a similar thing but smaller in Campitello, Val di Fassa.

http://www.flyingpark.it/