16 June 2010

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:

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:

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

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

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:


The link to the website of the Forest Park:

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