The towering peaks of the Italian Dolomites are an extension of the Alps. As well as some great winter sporting holidays, the regions around the foothills of the Dolomites, like the Trentino-Alto-Adige, are areas of outstanding natural beauty, where you can enjoy the best of the German-Italian based culture while you take in the stunning scenery.
Trekking Trails from Santa Cristina
Whether you enjoy climbing or hiking, this province provides ample opportunity to do both. Take the beautiful village of Santa Cristina, situated 1,428 m above sea level, as an example. For trekking enthusiasts, there are countless hiking trails that lead from the village directly into the glorious Dolomites landscape, peppered in the summer by carpets of colourful, flowering meadows, romantic forests, and serene mountain lakes.
Your Trentino-Alto-Adige Belvilla holiday rental accommodation puts you right where you want to be, smack bang in the middle of trekker’s paradise.
The National Parks of the Italian Dolomites
There are several National Parks in the Italian Dolomites, parks that demonstrate Mother Nature in all her glory and wonder. They are the perfect background for quality hiking where you can discover sights such as the world-renowned Three Peaks, the Geisler Group, and the wonderful Lake of Braies.
Trekking in the Three Peaks Nature Park
The Three Peaks Nature Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site covering more than 11,000 hectares of stunning scenery and beauty. It encompasses the parishes of Dobbiaco, San Candido and Sesto and is within easy reach of your rented Belvilla mountain lodge.
Before being renamed the Three Peaks Nature Park, this beautiful area was known as the Sesto Dolomites, and during World War 1, was the scene of many fierce battles of mountain warfare between the Austrian and Italian armies. When you go trekking today, the chances are you will still come across the sight of bullet holes bored into the mountainside and rusted shells and pieces of shrapnel scattered on the ground.
But, as you take in the glorious fauna and flora and spectacular scenery of the region, thoughts of warfare will be banished in the past.
Guided Hikes in the Puez-Odle Nature Park
Known by its Italian name, the Puez-Odle Nature Park, and its German name Naturpark Puez-Geisler, this nature park is home to the famous Geisler Group. The Geisler Group, or Gruppo delle Odle as it is called in Italy, is a group of mountains in the Italian Dolomites characterised by its 19 needle-like peaks, which span the area between the municipality of Villnöss and Val Gardena.
From your Belvilla mountain cottage rental, you and your family can venture out to sample any of over 115 wonderful biking, running, and trekking trails. As well as guided hikes for all ages and skill levels, you’ll find the Zannes Nature Path offering wheelchair accessibility – the first of its kind in South Tyrol.
Trekking Around Lago di Braies
If you’re planning a hiking holiday in the Italian Dolomites, you simply must try the trek around Lago di Braies. The lake itself is on one of the most beautiful stretches of inland water on the planet, and you can take a relatively gentle 2.2-mile hike that takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on how many times you stop to admire the stupendous views.
The crystal-clear blue waters, surrounded by the mountain peaks, welcome canoers and, yes, in the heat of summer, swimmers too. But don’t forget that it is a mountain lake, so the water is always cold. But if you’re brave enough to try, please feel free. We guarantee it will be a short dip.
A trek around Lago di Braies is a great family hike. Trekking newbies will love it. Halfway through, you even get to pass across some open farmland scattered with grazing cows. Trekkers are most welcome. The kids will love it, and when you get back to your Belvilla mountain cottage rental, it will have been an experience to remember.
Lake Braies, which nestles in the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, is part of the World Heritage Dolomites site. It does get pretty busy at the height of summer, so please remember to do your bit to protect the natural beauty of the area by taking your waste away with you.
Trekking holidays, the Italian Dolomites, and the beautiful lakes of Northern Italy were meant for each other. That’s why Belvilla has over 100-holiday rental properties here from which to choose. Whether you want a town or village apartment, a mountain cottage or lodge, or a stunning villa within easy reach of Lakes Como, Garda or Maggiore – there is something here for everyone.