Winter on the Paganella Plateau, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, is definitely a unique experience! Snow, high-altitude attractions, but also cross-country skiing, a swimming pool, ice skating, horseback riding, and much more! The region is divided into five main areas: Molveno, Andalo, Fai della Paganella, Cavedago, and Spormaggiore. In this mini-guide, we’ll give you up-to-date ideas on what to do if you’re staying in one of these beautiful places for an extended visit or if you’re simply planning a quick half-day getaway.
MAKE PAGANELLA
PAGANELLA FUN PARK
Just a stone’s throw from the town center, there’s a snow amusement park where games and adventures await young and old alike. The area features inflatable attractions, trampolines, and many other games. Long runs for bobsleds and sleds equipped with convenient conveyor belts, and a separate track for snow tubing. Finally, there’s a track for mini quads. All the information is HERE.
MERIZ MOUNTAIN HUT
At the Meriz Mountain Hut, at an elevation of 1,400 meters, accessible via the chairlift departing from Fai della Paganella, offers family-friendly local cuisine. Right next to it is the starting point of the toboggan run, which is one kilometer long with a 100-meter elevation drop. Sleds can be rented at the lodge. All the information is available HERE.
DOSSO LARICI MOUNTAIN HUT
Located at an altitude of 1,800 meters, it can be reached by taking the Meriz-Selletta chairlift (which departs from Fai della Paganella) and then walking for about half an hour. For the past few years, this has been the home of the giant who used to live in the village; in fact, around the mountain hut and along the trail leading into the woods, you can find his belongings: a huge chair, his work tools, his pipe, his comb, and even his big bed in the cave. All the information HERE.
WATER AND BEECH TREE TRAIL
A simple and pleasant loop hike of about forty-five minutes through a beech forest, starting from the town center. Along the way, you’ll come across a sort of overlook with a steep drop-off, from which you can admire the entire Rotaliana plain in all its beauty. All the information is HERE.
THE EIGHT TRAIL
Another easy loop trail, taking about an hour and a half, that starts in the center of Fai. The trail winds through the countryside around Fai, passing by traditional mountain huts, small farms, and livestock ranches. We tried it in the summer, but we can assure you that it has its own charm even in the winter. All the information is HERE.
MOLVENO
PRADEL PLATEAU
Even in winter, Pradel— located above Lake Molveno and accessible by gondola—offers a variety of activities for families. There are two new sledding runs, a fun park with a rubber raft ride, and a perfect slope for beginners to start skiing. Find all the information HERE.
Don’t miss the charming world of Sciury the Squirrel, a 2.5-kilometer themed trail offering beautiful panoramic views, informational signs about the local flora and fauna, and fun installations dedicated to squirrels. Find all the information HERE.
From here, you can take the chairlift to the La Montanara mountain hut, where you’ll find delicious local dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, a spectacular view of the Brenta Dolomites, and a small playground. Alternatively, you can hike there through the woods, starting from Andalo. Find all the information HERE.
LAKE MOLVENO
An easy but long hike (about 10 kilometers, taking about 3 hours to complete), all the way around the lake, which takes on a “white magic” in winter. All the information is HERE.
ANDALO
ANDALO LIFE
A world of fun even in winter, thanks to its many attractions, including a swimming pool, cross-country ski trail, ice rink, mini club, and winter park. Find all the information HERE.
HORSE RIDING CENTER
Just a short walk from Andalo Life is an ideal place to discover the wonderful world of horses. In winter, the center organizes horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snow-covered forests of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, as well as horseback riding excursions and pony rides for children. Find all the information HERE.
SARNACLI MOUNTAIN PARK
Obviously perfect for summer (HERE is our “tested for you” review), it can also be enjoyed in winter—weather permitting—with all the necessary precautions and restrictions. It’s a themed, interactive trail with 13 stations where both children and adults can have fun.
BABY PARK DOSSON
From downtown Andalo, take the Andalo-Doss Pelà gondola (intermediate stop) to reach this large snow playground near the Dosson Mountain Lodge. A spacious area equipped with inflatable play structures and a slide where you can slide down on inner tubes and inflatable animals. All of this is accompanied by entertainment and activities led by the staff. Find all the information HERE.
BIBLIOIGLOO – PRATI DI GAGGIA
A high-altitude library shaped like an igloo, located upstream from the Laghet-Gaggia ski lifts in Andalo, offers plenty of moments of joy thanks to the many activities it organizes. Outside, there’s a nice playground. All the information is HERE.
ERMINE’S DEN
An easy walk of about two kilometers that starts at the Andalo riding stable and ends at the Tana dell’Ermellino, a forest cabin surrounded by open spaces and a playground. All the information is HERE.
ANDALO-MOLVENO HIKE
From Andalo to Molveno, there’s a trail through the woods that’s about five kilometers long—a long walk, but mostly downhill—and suitable for the whole family. In the summer, you can even do this hike with a stroller; click HERE.
You might be interested in other winter mini-guides—click HERE.