Molveno, Italy – Walking Tour (4K UHD)
Welcome to Molveno, Trentino, Italy. The town is located on Lake Molveno, 40 kilometers away from Trento. It lies in a strategic position, at the foot of the Paganella mountain and the Brenta group. Such a privileged location has been contented by the Bishops of Trento and different nearby counts along the history.
Molveno has been a popular Trentino resort since the 1950s, known for its proximity to ski slopes and diverse activities. It’s a popular holiday destination for families and sports lovers who can choose from hiking, biking, and lake activities. A quick sneak peek of what awaits us!
Like most of the towns in Trentino, Molveno appears very neat and tidy. The relaxing silence is interrupted by dogs and cars only once in a while. We are now walking along Via Belvedere, which leads to the lakeshore. Hotel Florida is one of the many hotels overlooking the lake.
Molveno is located 864 meters above sea level. Only a little bit over 1,000 people live here permanently, but a lot of tourists come both in winter and summer. In 1905, the Italian poet Antonio Fogazzaro described Molveno as “a precious pearl in an even more precious casket”.
The territory is included in Adamello-Brenta Natural Park (PNAB), which was created in 1967 to protect this unique landscape. The park includes many mountain ranges, like Paganella, Val di Sole, Val di Non, Val Rendena, and the breathtaking Brenta Dolomites.
Molveno is recognized with the prestigious Orange Flag by the Italian tourist association Touring Club Italiano. This award exist to highlight the superior quality of tourism amenities and hospitality in a particular location. The lake offers stunning views from every angle. The architecture in Molveno reflects the typical style of Trentino
Pastel-colored houses, wooden balconies, logs piled on the walls, and cheerful flower vases are all around. The town’s design cleverly blends traditional elements with contemporary needs. We’re getting closer to the heart of the town. Here is where the cable car leaves for the Pradel plateau: a real natural paradise for outdoor-sport lovers.
Let’s now take via Garibaldi, going down towards the lake. The town center is a nice area where to enjoy a peaceful stroll. The first settlements around Molveno date back to the Neolithic Age. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Austrians built fortifications on the lake to halt Napoleon’s French troops.
Some of those small fortifications are still visible today. A turning point came in 1920 with the construction of the first hydroelectric plant, bringing electricity to the region. This contributed to revamp the tourism industry, which had been severely disrupted by World War I.
Look how the might peaks of the UNESCO Heritage Dolomites are always visible behind the roofs. The main religious building in Molveno is church of San Carlo Borromeo, dating back to the 16th century. The interior has a single, large, rectangular nave with a coffered ceiling.
The walls are decorated with frescoes by Carlo Bonacina who painted them in 1940. The design of the church is simple and elegant, with a focus on light and space. The frescoes were restored in 1977 after a fire severely damaged the church.
The bell tower is actually even more ancient, and it was once used for non-religious purposes as well. It features a clock and a panoramic balcony. The lake is getting closer and closer. A modern building with a traditional look, Ariston is another hotel overlooking the lake.
Enjoying an aperitivo while waiting for the sunset is a must-do experience here. One of the picture-perfect views of the lake: the roofs, the emerald-green waters, and the mighty mountains all around. This is my first Trentino tour on this channel. Up until now, I’ve only featured South Tyrol (province of Bolzano).
While both Trentino and South Tyrol are part of the larger Tyrol region, they’re considered separate due to historical and cultural differences. Speaking of Trentino, I’m also working on a tour of Riva del Garda. Stay tuned for it on this channel.
As always, liking this video is the best way to show your support for this channel. I would really appreciate it. Before we go to the lake, let’s make a quick turn to see another cultural spot in Molveno. The church of San Vigilio was built in the 13th century in a Romanesque style.
The church hosts the town’s cemetery, with some pretty wooden and marble gravestones. Both the façade and the interiors are adorned with beautiful frescoes depicting religious scenes. The white plaster and the grey stones create a very nice chromatic contrast.
As a popular tourist destination, Molveno is well-connected with the public transport from Trento and other nearby towns. The closest train stations are Trento and Mezzocorona. During the tourist season, there are bus services that link these stations with Molveno.
The bus service connects beautiful places like Trento, Mezzocorona, Riva del Garda, Madonna di Campiglio and the Val di Non. Plus, Molveno is just a 40-minute bus ride from the north end of Lake Garda, making it a perfect day trip destination to the lake.
This lovely wooden bridge lined with flowers leads to the heart of the lake area. Lake Molveno is the second largest lake in Trentino-Alto Adige. The lake originated naturally 4,000 years ago as a result of a huge landslide.
Every year from 2014 to 2019, and then again in 2023, it has been declared as Italy’s most beautiful lake. It’s not hard to see why! The first thing to note is the beautiful color contrast between the lake waters and the white pebbly beach.
Then come the green lawns and, of course, the imposing mountains encircling the lake entirely. The lake is particularly appreciated by families, thanks to its shallow waters and the many activities for kids. Indeed, Lake Molveno is recognized as a safe tourist destination for everybody.
Everything is organized so that adults, kids, animals, and nature lovers can enjoy the area at its best. The vast green area is just perfect for every kind of sport activity, as well as to have a picnic or a little nap.
The lake’s beauty is most apparent at this time of the day. The calm waters reflect the last rays of the sun, and everything feels serene. Some of the peaks surrounding Molveno include Cima Brenta, Cima Tosa, Croz dell’Altissimo, Cima Armi, and Piz Galin. The Dolomites has been recognized as a World Heritage in 2009.
The reason? The beauty and uniqueness of its landscape, as well as its geological importance. The beach keeps extending along the lake so there’s enough space for everybody. These rocks make it seem like you are in a paradise-like beach.
Lake Molveno is the deepest lake in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, going down to 124 meters deep. The town of Molveno is settled on the northern sloping shore of the lake. The northern part of the lake is called Lake Bior and receives the small Lambin river.
Since 1952, lake Molveno’s waters feed the hydroelectric power plant of Santa Massenza. This has slightly altered the natural features of the lake, whose waters are a little bit colder than the similar lakes nearby. This doesn’t seem to stop the thousands of tourists who enjoy Lake Molveno every summer!
Feel like playing a round of minigolf? You can use this lovely course with a view. There are 12 holes each one offering a unique obstacle to overcome. It’s a fantastic way for teaching your little ones the art of precision and enjoying some quality time together. Biking is a major activity here in Molveno.
This dedicated area is a pump track, designed specifically for those new to mountain biking, especially children aged 5 and up. The track’s humps, bumps, and curves offer a safe and enjoyable way to improve your riding skills.
If you’re up for a tennis match, there are three clay courts and one synthetic court, suitable for all ages. This spot is known as “Scale d’acqua” (water stairs) because the river here cascades down a series of natural steps. From here, a beautiful, tranquil pathway starts as an alternative route to the lake.
It’s known as ‘Sentiero al Lago’ which means ‘pathway to the lake’ in Italian. The path also gives the opportunity to get a closeup view of the typical houses. This little road shrine once served as a point of reference beetween the town, the lake, and the mountains.
On one side, you can find a Latin sentence that reads: “may the Alps bring happiness to the hearts”. We’re back in town! Hotel Europa is another hotel offering a delightful view over the lake. The terrace is strategically positioned to offer optimal views of the natural landscape.
Here we are in Piazza Scuole, whose name derives from the school overlooking it. The square is small but lovely, with colored buildings all around. The town center is a great place to buy the authentic products from Trentino. There are a lot of shops for souvenirs and delicacies, as well as typical restaurants.
The folkloristic music by the marching band is the icing of the cake of our tour! This is part of the many events and festivals delighting both tourists and locals in the summer season. We are now heading back to the tour’s starting point to catch the stunning dusk view.
The cable car to Altopiano Pradel is now closed. The last ride leaves at 6.45pm. Let’s take this shortcut—It will allow us to go up faster, skipping the many hairpin turns along via Belvedere. The view once we’re up will be worth the climb! Here it’s where we were at the beginning of the tour.
Look at this majestic view: the town seems to dive directly into the lake. You can keep on walking along this panoramic road to enjoy the lake from multiple amazing points of view. I could sit on this bench and soak into this landscape forever!
I hope you enjoyed Molveno. Make sure to subscribe and see you next time. Ciao!
Molveno is a typical Alpine tourist destination overlooking Lake Molveno in Trentino, a northern region of Italy. Our walking tour will lead you along its alleys and the lakeshore, which is perfect for families, young people, sport and nature lovers. You’ll see why it has been awarded among the most beautiful lakes in Italy!
Sitting between the Paganella mountains and the UNESCO-Heritage Brenta Dolomites, Molveno is a true pearl of the Trentino region.
Lake Molveno is one of the most beautiful and sustainable lakes in Italy: a safe, fun, and varied destination catering all kinds of needs and desires. The town of Andalo, with its funicular to a wonderful ski area, is just 3.5 kilometers away.
Both in summer and winter, Molveno is the ideal spot for walks and trekkings, bike rides, any kind of outdoor and water sports, as well as majestic views. Come see this and much, much more!
Timestamps:
[00:00] *Welcome to Molveno, Trentino*
[02:20] *Via Belvedere* (⭐) – the road that leads us to the town
[05:15] *Florida hotel* – hotel with amazing view
[07:25] *Aurora Hotel* (⭐) – hotel with a mesmerizing lakeside views
[11:45] *Funivia Molveno-Pradel* – a cable-car ride to Pradel plateau
[12:15] *Via Garibaldi* – the road to the lakeside
[16:15] *Church of San Carlo Borromeo* – the town’s church and its bell tower
[19:05] *Terrazza panoramica* – lookout point with benches for relaxation
[20:35] *Ariston hotel* (⭐) – a prime spot for sunset aperitifs with stunning vistas
[24:10] *Church of San Vigilio* – 13th-century church and municipal cemetery
[28:50] *Ponte fiorito* – the charming bridge connecting to the lakeshore
[31:25] *Lake Molveno* (🥇) – the most beautiful lake in Italy
[49:10] *Minigolf* – a 12-hole golf course
[52:45] *Pump track* – safe track with bumps and curves for biking practice
[55:25] *Scale d’acqua* – Water stairs
[57:30] *Sentiero al lago* – An alternative route to the lake
[59:10] *El Caputel* – Former votive landmark linking town, lake, and mountains
[01:01:30] *Hotel Europa* – 3-star hotel boasting a stunning terrace
[01:05:00] *Piazza Scuole* – Small square named after nearby schools
[01:05:40] *Town’s center* – the heart of Molveno
[01:12:00] *Via Panoramica (⭐)* – The most panoramic road of Molveno
📜 Turn on the CAPTIONS for descriptions, historical facts and much more!
🇺🇸/🇬🇧 Closed Captions are available in English.
📌 PLAYLIST Trentino (Italy)
#molveno #lakemolveno #trento #trentino #italy #4k #walkingtour
__________________________________________
🎥 *EQUIPMENT*
Camera: https://amzn.to/48turVA
Gimbal: https://amzn.to/49KzlhP
Microphone: https://amzn.to/3SQgnj6
Binaural microphone: https://amzn.to/3OXhZGy
🔔 *SUBSCRIBE*
Italy walking tours every week. Subscribe to experience this beautiful country like never before! 🙂
2 Comments
🤩🤩🤩💯👍
Pretty and pristine💐