Trentino’s Natural Parks: A Paradise for Nature Lovers

Nature is good for our health and happiness, and Trentino’s natural parks offer plenty of beautiful landscapes to explore on foot, set deep in tranquil woods or high on rocky peaks. If you love nature and active vacations, the following three parks in Trentino won’t disappoint you.

Trentino’s Top Three Natural Parks

Adamello Brenta Natural Park  

Within Trentino’s natural parks, the Adamello Brenta is the largest protected area in Trentino; it occupies the western portion of the region, in the Giudicarie, Val di Non and Val di Sole valleys. It includes two geologically distinct mountain groups: the Brenta Dolomites, a Unesco World Heritage site, and the glaciers of the Adamello-Presanella granite massif, whose peaks reach a height of more than 3,000 meters. The park is home to peaceful conifer woods, lakes with turquoise waters, and to a variety of flora and fauna, including the brown bear.

With 700 km of marked trails, the Adamello Brenta Natural Park can be visited in all seasons. For families with children, easier trails include guided nature walks intended to help visitors learn about the territory. Kid-friendly itineraries may be found in the Val Rendena and Val di Tovel, with 60 different walks departing from the valleys’ villages. Experienced hikers should try the Dolomiti di Brenta Trek, a high-altitude, 96-km circuit tour around the Brenta Dolomites.

An easy excursion not to miss is the trail around Lago di Tovel, one of our three must-see destinations in Val di Non. It can be reached in about 40 minutes from Pineta Hotels.

Stelvio National Park 

Founded in 1935, Stelvio National Park is one of Trentino’s – and Italy’s – oldest and biggest natural parks. It was established to protect the flora, fauna and natural beauty of the Ortles-Cevedale mountain group and to promote sustainable tourism in an area that comprises portions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy.

Most of the territory of the park is above 2,000 meters, with the highest peak, the Ortles, reaching 3,905 meters.

The Trentino portion of the Stelvio National Park comprises the Peio and Rabbi valleys and offers 315 kilometers of hiking trails for all abilities, set among woods of larch and fir trees, waterfalls and placid lakes. Themed itineraries allow you to discover different aspects of the park, from the diverse fauna to botany, from glaciers to trees, and even historic routes linked to World War I.  Foodies are also catered for, with itineraries that take you to the local mountain huts where milk and cheese products are still made following the tradition.

A recommended excursion in the Stelvio National Park is the one to the Saent waterfalls, suitable even for families with children. From the mountain hut Malga Stablasolo in Val di Rabbi (reachable in about an hour from Pineta Hotels), you can get to the waterfalls in a couple of hours, and when you come back, you can refuel tasting the fresh dairy products made at the hut. 

Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Natural Park 

We conclude our tour of Trentino’s natural parks at the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino area, located in the region’s eastern portion, mostly above 1,500 meters. The park comprises the Venegia Valley, the Paneveggio Forest, with red firs as tall as 40 meters, whose wood is used to make highly prized violins, and the Pale di San Martino mountain group, a Unesco World Heritage site. Deer roam the park, which is at the border with the Veneto region.

Here, like in all of Trentino’s natural parks, there is a wealth of trails to choose from. Representing the southern access to the Pale di San Martino, the Val Canali is considered one of the most beautiful alpine valleys. From the Rolle Pass, you can admire some of the most spectacular alpine scenery of the park, and then reach the lake area known as Laghetti del Colbricon, frequented by hunters as far back in time as the Mesolithic age; stay until sunset to admire the Cimon della Pala, the best-known peak of the Pale di San Martino group, take on a red-pinkish-violet hue, a phenomenon known as enrosadira, specific to the Dolomites. For a bit of local history, visit the Ecomuseum of Vanoi, where mountain life through the centuries is explained.

Pineta Hotels offers specific packages that include guided visits to the Adamello Brenta and tips for excursions in other parks.

-Silvia Donati