The lakeside village awarded again and again among the most beautiful in Italy, with its grassy beach below the Brenta and the Pradel gondola.
A short history
Molveno sits at 864 metres, where the meadows run down to the lake that bears its name, below the eastern walls of the Brenta Dolomites. The lake was born from an ancient landslide that dammed the valley in prehistoric times, and it is the largest natural lake lying entirely in Trentino.
The village has a history of farming and timber. On the hill beside the lake stands the small Romanesque church of San Vigilio with its little cemetery, while on the shore survives the Taialacqua Venetian sawmill, still driven by water as it was centuries ago. They are the oldest signs of a village that long lived off fields, woods and mountain pastures.
Tourism arrived in the 19th century with the pioneers of mountaineering, who climbed from Molveno towards the huts and walls of the Brenta. In the 20th century the village grew as a lakeside holiday spot, with the great grassy beach that is still its best-known image.
In recent years Lake Molveno has been awarded several times by Legambiente and the Touring Club among the most beautiful lakes in Italy, and the Pradel gondola has opened the balcony of meadows above the village to families and children, with an adventure park, malga huts and easy trails. Above all, though, Molveno remains just this: a small village gathered between an emerald lake and the Dolomites.
What to see
- Lake Molveno, the stretch of water awarded again and again among the most beautiful in Italy, with its grassy beach at the foot of the Brenta.
- The Lake Molveno loop, the walk that circles the whole lake between woods, beaches and walkways over the water.
- The Pradel gondola, which climbs from the centre to the balcony of meadows above the village, with an adventure park, malga huts and trails designed for families.
How to get to Molveno
By car, leave the A22 Brenner motorway at San Michele all'Adige-Mezzocorona and climb to the Paganella plateau through Fai della Paganella and Andalo, on to Molveno. From the south you can arrive from Trento through the Valle dei Laghi and San Lorenzo Dorsino. The nearest stations are Trento and Mezzocorona, linked to the village by scheduled buses.
When to go
Summer is the season of the lake, with the grassy beach, the pedalos and water that in July and August invites you in for a swim, though it stays cool. June and September give you the same landscapes with far fewer people. In winter Molveno is a few minutes from the Paganella slopes and the silent lake makes a fine backdrop for walks.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Molveno?
The lake with its grassy beach, the Romanesque church of San Vigilio on the hill, the Taialacqua Venetian sawmill on the shore and the Pradel balcony, which you reach by gondola from the centre. The lake loop is the classic walk for discovering everything else.
Why is Lake Molveno famous?
Because it has been awarded several times by Legambiente and the Touring Club among the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is the largest natural lake lying entirely in Trentino, born from an ancient landslide, with emerald waters and the walls of the Brenta Dolomites as a backdrop.
How do you get to Molveno?
By car you leave the A22 at San Michele all'Adige-Mezzocorona and climb to the Paganella plateau through Fai and Andalo. From the south you arrive from Trento through the Valle dei Laghi and San Lorenzo Dorsino. The nearest stations are Trento and Mezzocorona, linked by scheduled buses.
Can you swim in Lake Molveno?
Yes, in summer the grassy beach on the northern shore is set up for bathing, with lidos, pedalos and play areas for children. The water stays cool even in July and August, as in nearly all alpine lakes, but on hot days a swim is a pleasure.
What is the Pradel of Molveno?
It is the balcony of meadows above the village, which you reach with the gondola from the centre of Molveno. Up there you find an adventure park, malga huts and easy trails with views over the lake and the Brenta: it is the area best suited to families with children.