Set on the shores of a piercing blue lake, this pretty village is a favorite year-round destination for hikers and mountaineers.
Molveno is a small village located in the foothills of the snow-capped Brenta Dolomites of northern Italy. The picturesque setting and crisp mountain air has made it a popular summer and winter resort since the 1800s. Vacations in Molveno are spent enjoying outdoor adventures, visiting centuries-old monuments and sampling the culinary delights of the Trentino region.
The village stretches back from the northern bank of Lake Molveno, voted the best Italian lake for 2015 by the Touring Club Italiano tourism organization. Walk around the lakeshore path, which cuts through a 3,000-year-old forest of soaring pine trees. In the summer months, the lake’s beach and pristine grass verges are ideal starting points for various watersports. Kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and windsurfing are all possible on the gentle water.
Close to the waterfront is the Church of San Vigilio, built in the 13th century and home to impressive Gothic frescoes. Visit Taialacqua, a working sawmill established in the 1500s to improve the economic conditions of Trentino.
Ride the chairlift to the mountaintop Pradel panoramic point, nestled amid the Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta. Discover miles of challenging hikes, easy walks and mountain-biking routes. Climb in the rugged Brenta Dolomites and take a thrill-seeking paragliding flight back down to the lake. Enjoy some family-friendly fun on the treetop bridges, rope course and zip lines at Forest Park.
In the winter months the action moves to the nearby Paganella Ski Area. Go dogsledding, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing on around 31 miles (50 kilometers) of well-groomed runs.
Whether in the village or on the mountain, Molveno’s restaurants showcase traditional Trentino flavors. Sample the ciuiga del Banale, a cured sausage of pork, beef and turnip, and locally produced cheeses such as casolèt, fontal and spressa. Wild mushrooms are also a staple ingredient, sourced from the forests of Adamello Brenta National Park.
Molveno is about a 3-hour drive from both BolognaOpens in a new window and MilanOpens in a new window. A rewarding destination in its own right, Molveno is also ideal to visit on a daytrip from Trento.
