We’ll take you on a tour of Paganella and its many summer activities, made possible in part by the ski lifts (HERE you’ll find updates on schedules and prices), both in the Andalo area and in the Fai della Paganella and Molveno areas.
ANDALO
If you haven’t been there yet , we highly recommend a visit to the Biblioigloo— it’s a wonderful place for kids and is located in the Prati di Gaggia area (you can get there by taking the Laghet–Prati di Gaggia gondola)! Those who take the other cable car departing from Andalo (Paganella 2001 ski lifts), on the other hand, have several options to choose from, suitable for every need.
Andalo isn’t just known for its high-altitude workshops and books—it’s also famous for Life Park: a paradise of fun in both summer and winter, complete with an ice rink and a swimming pool with a wellness center. Near Andalo Life is also the Equestrian Center , where you can get to know the horses and learn the proper techniques for riding.
In addition to high-altitude hikes, it’s also worth taking a few easy walks in the valley—for example, the Pegorar Trail, which offers a view of the town from above. Or you might enjoy walking to Lake Molveno—even with a stroller: read HERE. You can also visit the Tana dell’Ermellino, above the Riding Center, is a pleasant walk, as is the one in the area of Priori, not far away. For the little ones, the “girotondo” around Lake Andalo is a lot of fun .
It’s also great to take the kids to Sarnacli Mountain Park: a beautiful park designed for families and children within the stunning Adamello Brenta Nature Park, in the Plan dei Sarnacli area. It features 13 stations where children—and even adults—can have fun discovering, through play, the unique features and interesting facts about this area, the animals that live here, the imposing mountains that tower overhead, hiking trails to explore, and the scents and colors of our magnificent Brenta Dolomites.
AT HIGH ALTITUDE
Dosson Mountain Hut – a modern facility at an elevation of 1,450 meters, located at the midway station of the Andalo–Doss Pelà cable car. Ideal for enjoying an outdoor lunch while taking in the stunning scenery featuring Campanil Basso and all its peaks, the refuge features a relaxation area with a sun deck and lounge chairs, a panoramic terrace overlooking the Brenta Dolomites, and numerous hiking trails just a short walk away. This is also the home of the Dosson Kids’ Park, featuring all kinds of games and attractions: the picturesque little lake, which you can cross aboard a wooden raft, is sure to be a hit with the kids.
Malga Zambana – Take the Andalo-Doss Pelà gondola up to Doss Pelà, where you’ll find an easy, flat path (suitable even for strollers) that leads to Malga Zambana in about ten minutes. There you’ll find various small animals, playgrounds for children, and a spectacular view of the Brenta.
From here, you have two options: hike up to the Dosso Larici Mountain Hut —known as the “Giant’s Hut” because of the various oversized installations that dot the trail leading to the hut and the surrounding meadow—in about half an hour on a mostly flat road (not recommended for strollers). The cuisine here is traditional and highly regarded, and there are even llamas!
Or you can head back down and take the Albi de Mez-Cima Paganella chairlift, which goes to the summit of Paganella (at 2,125 meters), where the La Roda Mountain Hut is located. Here, the view of the Brenta Dolomites is unparalleled: on clear days, you can see all the way from Lake Cavedine to Lake Garda.
You can then head down in the opposite direction from Malga Terlaga and Rifugio Dosso Larici, toward Malga Zambana: a good hour’s descent along a rocky dirt road (not suitable for strollers); along the way, you can take a short detour to check out those giant antennas that are always visible from the city of Trento (a five-minute walk from the summit, through lush mountain pines). Of course, it’s not recommended to stay there for very long. 
On the way to Malga Terlaga, you’ll come across various four-legged animals: horses, donkeys, and even goats—just a small fraction of the many animals owned by Silvia, a wonderful woman who has been running this place for many years alongside her brothers. Here, in addition to the usual magnificent view of the Brenta, you’ll find a cheerful and friendly atmosphere and excellent homemade dishes. For those who’d like to reach the mountain hut directly from the cable car’s arrival station (without making the full loop to the summit), there’s just a short five-minute climb.
Last option: From Malga Terlaga—or from the cable car station—you can take the dirt road, which is stroller-friendly. It winds through the woods and across vast meadows teeming with marmots, leading all the way to the Bait del Germano, another spot where you can eat and relax peacefully surrounded by nature, with a view of the Brenta Range right in front of you.
You can also walk down to Lake Molveno, but this route is not recommended for those without older, physically fit children, as it is long (at least three hours) and steeply downhill. The entire route runs through the woods, an area where you might encounter a bear (or other wildlife, though since it’s heavily trafficked, that’s less likely).
For more experienced hikers, we recommend the hike to Malga Spora: inaccessible by vehicle, it is located on the plain at the foot of the Altissimo Gallino range and the Crosara del Fibion, and lies centrally along the route connecting the Graffer Mountain Hut with Andalo. The least strenuous route to the malga starts from Andalo (specifically from Maso Pegorar) and follows Trail 301, with an elevation gain of 800 m and a hiking time of about 3 hours.
For those arriving by RV, we recommend theLe Rindole rest area or the Andalo Life campground.
MAKE PAGANELLA
In the Fai area as well, you can choose to go for walks in the valley or, thanks to the lifts, head up to higher elevations by taking the Santel-Meriz chairlift (HERE for schedules, prices, and operating hours of all lifts in Paganella)
ATHIGH ALTITUDE
Meriz Mountain Lodge — a modern mountain chalet designed with children and families in mind and particularly popular with mountain bikers (at the top station of the Santel–Meriz chairlift, you’ll find a map showing all the trails and the necessary information).
Eagles Trail – an adrenaline-pumping trail (though not a via ferrata; for adults only) where the first section is equipped with ladders and ropes and requires special attention. You can ring the “Bell of Dreams” (a real little bell), admire the natural wonder nicknamed “Titus’ Arch,” and then enter the cave with the “Fountain of Youth, ” where you can even touch the magical water! You can take the trail from Fai della Paganella (Santel), riding three chairlifts (note that the last one is only open during a specific period), or from Andalo by taking a gondola and a chairlift.
Downstream – trails
Between water and beech trees —a true immersion in nature, nestled between the lush beech forest and the flowing waters of the stream. A sensory experience in every sense of the word. The trail is marked and there are also informational signs, but it is not suitable for strollers, even though it is easy to walk and has minimal elevation gain.
The Raetian Trail —a journey into the history and nature of the Paganella Plateau thanks to this trail dedicated to the Raetians. Along the way, you’ll also come across the ruins of an authentic Rhaetian village! Suitable for everyone (a total elevation gain of 150 meters), it can even be navigated with a hiking stroller (except for a few short sections where you’ll need to carry the stroller). The starting point is in the “Capannina” area, where there’s also a nice playground and a green space—perfect for a picnic or barbecue after your walk.
Nature Trail – One of the easiest walks, taking about half an hour to complete. It’s a great option to combine, for example, with a nice picnic or a barbecue with friends at the playground located just two meters from the starting point: Capannina di Fai.
The “Eight” Loop – This trail winds through beech forests and along the water. It starts in the center of Fai; walking along the road, you’ll reach the trailhead marker: a wooden flower (blue for this loop) that marks all the trails in this area, varying only in color. In the background are mountains and beautiful green meadows, lots of flowers, and a myriad of buzzing and chirping sounds. For a long stretch, the path is paved and therefore accessible even with strollers.
Fun
Pump Truck — a modular track consisting of bumps and curves — is a gathering place and a course for practicing riding technique. The goal is to navigate the uneven terrain, improve control of your bike, and complete laps without pedaling—relying solely on the course’s ups and downs.
MOLVENO
Famous for the lake of the same name—one of the most beautiful in Italy—this town offers countless recreational opportunities, both at high altitudes and at lower elevations. Of course, the highlight is the stunning lake. For those arriving by RV, we recommend theMolveno RV Park.
Lake Molveno and Walks – It’s not just about sunbathing and swimming in the lake—you can also go for walks around this beautiful body of water! We’ve tried it several times, and we love it so much that we’ve explored the area far and wide. You can leave your car in the large parking lot near the beach, next to Bar–Gelateria Aquilone (a great place to recharge with a delicious pastry), and start your hike from there.
Andalo to Molveno by Stroller – an alternative way to reach the two towns on foot, even with a stroller!
Molveno Water Park – A recreational pool with a whirlpool, a fun 8-meter slide, and a relaxing hot tub await you at the Molveno pool, an outdoor facility located on the shores of the beautiful lake.
At high altitude
Pradel Plateau – On the Pradel Plateau, right above Lake Molveno, you can take the lifts directly from the village (HERE for schedules and rates), and there are plenty of things to do up there—click HERE. We’ve also listed some of them in detail below.
Forest Park – an adventure park set among the treetops, where you can experience pure adrenaline!
The World of Sciury —a themed trail dedicated to the world of Sciury the squirrel, featuring games and wooden installations along a beautiful path through the woods.
Malga Tovre — an enchanting spot easily accessible via the new gondola that runs from Molveno to Pradèl. From there, you can take another chairlift down to the mountain hut in about ten minutes, or head directly onto a steep trail that winds through the woods. It can also be reached in 45 minutes from the parking lot in Valbiole, near Andalo. HERE is our guide for you.
La Montanara – HERE is our winter hike, but you can enjoy the same beauty in the summer, too!
Our top tip:
- Thanks to the project Bye Bye Car from Trento, you can now reach Molveno via a convenient bus service, running all summer long with extended hours into the evening. From Molveno, you can also continue on to other destinations in Paganella and the surrounding area using local connections! We tested this service for you—find all the details here: Bye Bye Car: A Day in Molveno Without a Car