Val Rendena is one of those valleys where the mountains appear in every direction. On one side the pale spires of the Brenta Dolomites, on the other the glaciers of Adamello and Presanella, and in the middle quiet villages like Giustino, Pinzolo and Carisolo, the gateways to the side valleys full of waterfalls. In this guide we tell you what to see and do in Val Rendena, based only on places we know and that are truly worth a visit. At Italy Holiday we welcome guests in this area, and this is the itinerary we would suggest to a friend.

What to see and do in Val Rendena

Val Rendena is the heart of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, and from here you quickly reach waterfalls, mountain lakes, family trails and one of the most famous alpine resorts in Italy. Here are the places we recommend.

1. Parco Naturale Adamello Brenta

The Adamello Brenta Nature Park is the largest protected area in Trentino, more than 620 square kilometres stretching between the Adamello massif and the Brenta Dolomites. It is a UNESCO Geopark, with glaciers, forests, over 80 lakes and the famous Lake Tovel, known for the red colour its waters took on until 1964.

It is also the kingdom of the brown bear, which has returned to live steadily in these mountains, along with deer and chamois. For anyone who loves nature and walking, the park is the ideal starting point: Val Rendena is its gateway, with trails for everyone and mountain huts where you can stop to eat. The best season for walking runs from June to September.

2. Dolomiti di Brenta

The Brenta Dolomites are the westernmost dolomite group, the only one that rises west of the Adige river, and they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a world of pale spires and walls, with several peaks above 3,000 metres, such as Cima Tosa and Cima Brenta, and alpine lakes at their feet.

They are a paradise for those who love high-mountain walking and climbing: this is home to the famous Via delle Bocchette, one of the most renowned networks of equipped trails in the world. But even those looking only for the view find their place, because the Brenta peaks can be seen from almost every corner of the valley and offer some of the most beautiful sunsets in Trentino.

3. Cascate Nardis

The Nardis Waterfalls are the symbol of Val Genova, the side valley that starts at Carisolo, near Pinzolo, known as the valley of waterfalls. They are a spectacular drop of more than 130 metres, fed by the glaciers of Presanella and framed by forested cliffs in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Park.

It is one of the most photographed places in the area, even more beautiful in the late afternoon, when the light plays on the spray. You reach them easily in a few minutes by car from the villages of Val Rendena, and from a panoramic point you can admire them in all their force.

4. Cascata di Lares

Still in Val Genova, just beyond the Nardis Waterfalls, the Lares Waterfall awaits you. Here the Rio Lares descends through a thick forest of larch and conifers, with three close jumps that turn white and foaming among the trees. The name comes from the larches, the trees that dominate these forests.

It is one of the most beautiful stops on the waterfall trail of Val Genova, reached with an easy walk suited to anyone used to mountain paths. The sound of water accompanies you to the viewing point. The best season runs from spring to autumn, when the trails are open.

5. Cascate di Vallesinella

South of Madonna di Campiglio, inside the Adamello Brenta Park, lie the Vallesinella Waterfalls. They are a set of waterfalls divided into three levels, lower, middle and upper, where the Sarca di Vallesinella tumbles among firs and larches with dramatic water jumps.

It is a family-friendly walk, with trails connecting the different levels and rewarding each stage with thundering cascades, mountain air and splendid views of the Brenta Dolomites. You can choose shorter or longer routes depending on how much time you have. The best season runs from June to September.

6. Madonna di Campiglio

Madonna di Campiglio is the most famous alpine resort in Val Rendena, at about 1,550 metres, in a basin between the Brenta Dolomites and the glaciers of Adamello and Presanella. It is an elegant town, loved in every season: in winter for skiing, in summer for hiking.

In winter it offers many kilometres of linked slopes, while in summer it is the starting point for walks to alpine lakes, mountain huts and waterfalls. Around it you find places like the Vallesinella Waterfalls and mountain lakes such as Nambino and Ritorto. It is reached quickly by car from the villages of the valley.

7. Lago delle Malghette

If you want to climb higher and reach an alpine lake, the Malghette Lake is a perfect destination. It is a glacial lake at about 1,900 metres, in the Adamello Brenta Park, on the northern slope of Madonna di Campiglio, surrounded by conifers and with an open view of the Brenta group.

Its clear waters reflect the mountains, and you can walk the whole loop of the shore. By the lake there is also a small mountain hut, open in summer, where you can stop to eat. It is reached with a walk from the trails of Madonna di Campiglio, and it is an ideal destination from late spring to early autumn, when the mountain trails are open.

8. Lago di Molveno

Just beyond Val Rendena, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, the Molveno Lake awaits you. It is an alpine lake with clear waters, with a grassy beach often listed among the most beautiful in Italy, and a trail that runs all along its shores with views of the Brenta spires.

It is a lake where you can also swim in summer, as well as practise kayaking, SUP and pedalos, and around it you find easy walks for the whole family. The full loop of the lake is almost entirely flat, perfect for a relaxed day. The best season runs from June to September, when the water is milder and the services are open.

9. Chiesa di San Vigilio

For those who love history and art, the Church of San Vigilio in Pinzolo is a surprising stop. It is a fifteenth-century alpine church, famous for the Danza Macabra painted by Simone Baschenis in 1539: a fresco 22 metres long that runs along the outer wall, where skeletons lead popes, kings and beggars alike toward death, a reminder that before death we are all equal.

It is one of the most striking medieval murals in the Alps, with interiors that also tell the life of San Vigilio. It lies a few minutes from the villages of the valley and is a short but unforgettable stop, especially for those seeking a different side of Val Rendena, made of history and culture as well as nature.

A practical tip before you set off

Many of these places change their hours and services depending on the season, and some mountain trails are open only in the warmer months. Before planning your day, check the updated hours and the state of the trails on the official sites, so you avoid surprises and always arrive at the right time.

Where to stay in Val Rendena

The best way to experience Val Rendena is to have a home of your own in the villages of the valley, near the Brenta Dolomites, where you can return in the evening after a day among waterfalls and trails. With Italy Holiday you find well-cared-for stays in the area of Giustino, Pinzolo and Madonna di Campiglio, designed for families and travellers seeking nature and quiet.

Discover where to stay in Val Rendena and book your stay with Italy Holiday: your ideal base to explore the valley and everything around it.

Partner digitale per proprietari di case vacanza dal 2022.