Some mountains you recognise at first glance. The Brenta Dolomites are like that: spires and walls of pale rock that rise suddenly above the woods, the only dolomitic group that lies west of the river Adige. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage, and around them opens a world of alpine lakes, waterfalls and green valleys. In this guide we take you to discover the most beautiful things to see in the Brenta Dolomites and in the nature that surrounds them, telling you what makes each one special and how far it is from our area. At Italy Holiday we welcome guests right at the foot of these mountains, and these are the places we would suggest to an arriving friend.
1. The Brenta Dolomites, the UNESCO World Heritage massif
The Brenta Dolomites are the westernmost dolomitic group, the only one that rises west of the river Adige, and they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. They are a world of pale spires and walls, with several peaks above 3,000 metres: the highest is Cima Tosa, which nears 3,200 metres. At their feet open alpine lakes and green valleys, and high above stand historic refuges where you can sleep during the great crossings.
They are a paradise for those who love high-altitude walking and climbing: this is where the famous Via delle Bocchette runs, one of the most renowned networks of fixed-rope paths in the world, threading along ledges and walls near 3,000 metres. But anyone seeking only the view will find their place too, because the Brenta can be seen from almost every corner of the area and offer some of the finest sunsets in Trentino, when the rock turns pink and gold.
2. Madonna di Campiglio, the basin among the peaks
Madonna di Campiglio is the most famous alpine resort of these mountains, at around 1,550 metres, in an open 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 and the quiet of the mountains.
In winter it offers many kilometres of linked ski slopes, while in summer it becomes the starting point for walks toward alpine lakes, mountain huts and waterfalls. From here you can also reach the Brenta fixed-rope routes, and all around you find places like the Vallesinella waterfalls and mountain lakes such as Nambino and Ritorto. It is reached by car in a short time from the villages of Val Rendena.
3. Lake Molveno, at the foot of the Brenta
Lake Molveno is an alpine lake with crystal-clear water, at around 860 metres, on the eastern side of the Brenta Dolomites. Its large grassy beach is so well kept and beautiful that the lake has been awarded several times as the most beautiful in Italy. A loop trail about 12 kilometres long lets you walk around it in a few hours, through woods, open shores and views of the Brenta peaks.
Besides summer swimming, here you can try kayaking, SUP and pedalos, and from the nearby cable car enjoy the views over the mountains. The best season runs from late spring to early autumn, with June and September among the quietest months. Molveno lies on the opposite side of the massif from Val Rendena: to reach it from our area you drive around the mountains, in about an hour and a half, and it makes a lovely day trip.
4. Nardis Waterfall, the great drop of Val Genova
The Nardis Waterfall is the symbol of Val Genova, the side valley that starts at Carisolo, near Pinzolo, known as the valley of waterfalls. It is a spectacular drop of over 130 metres, fed by the ice of the Presanella, framed by wooded walls in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park.
It is one of the most photographed spots in the area, even more beautiful in the late afternoon, when the light plays with the spray. You reach it easily in a few minutes by car from the villages of Val Rendena, and from a viewpoint near the road you can admire it in all its force.
5. Vallesinella Waterfalls, the walk among the cascades
South of Madonna di Campiglio, inside the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, are the Vallesinella Waterfalls. They are a set of cascades divided into three levels, lower, middle and upper, where the Sarca di Vallesinella tumbles among firs and larches with scenic drops, fed by springs that emerge straight from the rock.
It is a family-friendly walk, with trails that connect the different levels and reward every stage with thundering cascades, mountain air and splendid views of the Brenta Dolomites. You can choose shorter or longer routes depending on the time you have. The best season runs from June to September, and in early summer the water flow is at its strongest.
6. Lares Waterfall, water in the larch wood
Also in Val Genova, just beyond the Nardis Waterfall, the Lares Waterfall awaits you. Here the Rio Lares drops through a dense wood of larches 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 Val Genova waterfall trail, and it is reached with a walk on a mountain path, suited to those used to walking. The sound of the water accompanies you to the point from which you can admire it. The best time runs from spring to autumn, when the trails are open and passable.
7. Adamello Brenta Nature Park, the realm of the bear
The Adamello Brenta Nature Park is the largest protected area in Trentino, over 620 square kilometres stretching between the Adamello massif and the Brenta Dolomites. It is a Geopark recognised by UNESCO, with glaciers, forests, dozens of alpine lakes and the famous Lake Tovel, the largest natural lake in Trentino, known for the red colour its waters took on until 1964.
It is also the realm of the brown bear, which has returned to live steadily in these mountains, along with deer and chamois. For those who love nature and walking, the park is the ideal starting point: Val Rendena is one of its gateways, with trails suitable for everyone and huts where you can stop to eat. The best season for walking runs from June to September.
8. Church of San Vigilio, history at the foot of the peaks
For those who love history and art, the Church of San Vigilio in Pinzolo is a surprising stop, a few minutes from the villages of Val Rendena. It is a fifteenth-century alpine church, famous for the Dance of Death 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 is a short but unforgettable stop, especially for those seeking a different side of these mountains, 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 with the season, and several 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 websites, so you avoid surprises and always arrive at the right moment.
Where to stay to experience the Brenta Dolomites
To truly experience the Brenta Dolomites, the best thing is to sleep at their feet, where in the morning you open the window and the peaks are already there in front of you. The two most natural bases are Val Rendena, on the side that looks toward Val Genova and Madonna di Campiglio, and Val di Sole, just beyond the pass that closes the Campiglio basin to the north.
From Val Rendena, around Giustino and Pinzolo, you have the Val Genova waterfalls, Madonna di Campiglio and the trails of the Adamello Brenta park a few minutes away, and the Church of San Vigilio right around the corner. From Val di Sole, around Dimaro, you are a short distance from Madonna di Campiglio and the park, with the whole valley and its villages to discover. Lake Molveno, which lies on the opposite side of the massif, remains a lovely day trip, around an hour and a half by car driving around the mountains.
At Italy Holiday we welcome guests right in these areas, in Val Rendena and Val di Sole, in well-kept homes designed to make you feel at home from the very first moment. If you dream of a holiday with the Brenta Dolomites before your eyes, discover where to stay at the foot of the Brenta and pack your bags: these mountains are waiting for you.
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