Trentino-Alto Adige · The Dolomites · Lake Garda · South Tyrol
Trentino-Alto Adige — officially the Autonomous Regione of Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol — is Italy's northernmost region, a spectacular wedge of alpine terrain that borders Austria to the north and Switzerland to the northwest. It is a place where Italian and Austrian cultures blend seamlessly: you will hear Italian, German, and Ladin spoken in the same valley, eat both polenta and knodel, and drink Lagrein reds alongside a cold pint of Forst beer. The region's two provinces — Trentino (capital Trento) and South Tyrol / Alto Adige (capital Bolzano) — each have their own character, yet share a deep commitment to sustainability.
The entire region generates over 80% of its electricity from renewable sources — mostly hydroelectric from its glacier-fed rivers — making it one of the greenest regions in Europe. The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009, stretch across the eastern half of the region, offering some of the world's most dramatic mountain scenery: jagged pale-grey peaks, alpine meadows, and mirror-like lakes such as Lago di Braies and Lago di Carezza. The northern shore of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, lies in the southwestern corner of Trentino, giving the region a surprising slice of Mediterranean climate. Whether you come for winter skiing at Madonna di Campiglio or summer hiking in Val Gardena, you will find a region that takes environmental stewardship seriously — not as a marketing slogan, but as a centuries-old way of life shaped by the mountains.
Booking your stay through ecohotels-impt.com means every night you book offsets 1 tonne of CO2 at no extra cost. You get EUR5 free credit on your first booking and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens at 25,000+ green-certified partner properties worldwide. We match prices with Booking.com — same price, same hotels, but with automatic carbon removal. With 8M+ hotels in our network, you will find the perfect sustainable stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Trento is a proud Renaissance city that hosted the Council of Trent (1545-1563). Its compact historic centre centres on Piazza Duomo with the Neptune Fountain, the Duomo di Trento, and the Palazzo Pretorio, all adorned with Renaissance frescoes. The Castel del Buonconsiglio — a sprawling castle-palace that housed prince-bishops for centuries — is one of Italy's largest and best-preserved castle complexes. The MUSE science museum, designed by Renzo Piano, is a landmark of sustainable architecture with a striking glass-and-steel form. Trento is also the gateway to the Brenta Dolomites and Lake Garda, reachable within an hour by car or train.
Bolzano (Bozen in German) is the bilingual capital of South Tyrol — a city where Austrian Gasthofe sit alongside Italian espresso bars. Its medieval Walther Square is the heart of the old town, framed by the Duomo di Bolzano with its Romanesque-Gothic spire and distinctive green copper roof. The South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology houses Otzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy unearthed in the nearby Otztal Alps in 1991. The Ritten Cable Car lifts you from the city directly up to the Renon plateau (1,200 m), where surreal earth pyramids and alpine views await. Bolzano is the starting point for the Dolomites and the Val Gardena ski region — and produces outstanding Lagrein and Gewurztraminer wines.
Val Gardena (Grodner Tal in German, Gherdeina in Ladin) is one of the most celebrated valleys in the Dolomites, located about 40 km north-east of Bolzano. Home to the dramatic Seceda ridgeline — a sheer rock wall plunging into impossibly green meadows — and the Sellaronda ski circuit, the valley delivers world-class winter sports and summer hiking. The Ladin culture here is distinct, with its own language and culinary traditions. The main town of Ortisei is known for woodcarving, alpine luxury hotels, and panoramic cable cars. In summer, the Puez-Geisler Nature Park offers uncrowded trails through some of the Dolomites' most photogenic terrain.
Situated in the Brenta Dolomites at 1,522 m elevation, Madonna di Campiglio is one of Italy's most prestigious ski resorts. It offers 150 km of ski slopes connected to the Pins-Ziano and Folgarida-Marilleva areas, with modern lift infrastructure and reliable snow. In summer, the trails transform into a hiking and mountain-biking paradise, with trails threading past alpine lakes and the towering Brenta massif. The resort town itself has boutique shops, luxury hotels, and excellent restaurants serving both Trentino and Tyrolean cuisine. The Adamello-Brenta Nature Park — Trentino's largest protected area — surrounds the area, home to brown bears, ibex, and golden eagles.
The northern tip of Lake Garda — around Riva del Garda, Arco, and Torbole — falls within Trentino province and offers a microclimate that feels almost Mediterranean. Windsurfers and sailors come for the reliable Ora del Garda wind; hikers tackle Mount Brione or climb at Arco's famous crags; and history lovers explore the Rocca di Riva and the medieval castle of Arco. The lakefront promenades at Riva and Torbole are lined with gelaterie, pizzerie, and palm trees — a jarring contrast to the snow-capped peaks visible 20 km away. It is approximately 30 km south-west of Trento and accessible by bus and regional train.
In the heart of the Dolomites, about 70 km east of Bolzano, the Alta Badia valley centres on San Cassiano and Corvara. This area forms part of the Sellaronda circuit, and its Ladin culture means the local cuisine is unlike anything else in Italy — a fusion of alpine ingredients with refined technique. The valley offers exceptional Dolomites views, five-star hotels, and Michelin-starred dining including the three-star St. Hubertus. In summer, the high-altitude meadows explode with wildflowers, and the hiking trails are among the most scenic in Europe.
Trentino-Alto Adige is one of Europe's premier hiking destinations, with over 8,000 km of marked trails across both provinces. From easy lakeside strolls to challenging via ferratas climbing sheer rock faces, there is something for every fitness level — and every trail offsets its carbon footprint when you book your stay through ecohotels-impt.com.
The single most iconic hike in the Dolomites. This 9.5 km loop around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen) starts at Rifugio Auronzo (2,320 m) and gives you intimate close-up views of all three towering peaks — Cima Grande (2,999 m), Cima Ovest (2,973 m), and Cima Piccola (2,857 m). Elevation gain: ~350 m. Duration: 3-4 hours. Difficulty: Moderate. Open late June to October. Access from Misurina, about 70 km east of Bolzano.
From the top of the Seceda cable car (2,518 m) in Val Gardena, a short walk takes you to the famous Seceda ridgeline — arguably the single most photographed viewpoint in the Dolomites. The west-facing drop plunges in a sheer wall above the Odle / Geisler peaks. Distance: 2 km round trip. Duration: 1-2 hours. Difficulty: Easy. Cable car from Ortisei runs June to October.
This spectacular historic trail carved into the cliffside connects Riva del Garda to Pregasina. Originally a Roman road, later used to transport goods, the Ponale path hugs the mountain with Lake Garda shimmering below. Distance: 6 km one way. Elevation gain: 650 m. Duration: 2-3 hours. Difficulty: Moderate. Best walked spring through autumn. The trail includes old tunnels and is well-maintained and lined with handrails where needed.
The Via delle Bocchette is a legendary high-altitude via ferrata system in the Brenta Dolomites, accessible from Madonna di Campiglio. The most popular section, Sentiero delle Bocchette Centrali, traverses exposed ledges, iron ladders, and suspension bridges at altitudes above 2,500 m — a serious alpine adventure. Distance: 12 km. Duration: 5-6 hours. Difficulty: Challenging. Requires proper via ferrata kit (harness, helmet, lanyard). Open July to September only. One of Europe's most famous climbing routes.
Trentino-Alto Adige leads Italy in renewable energy — over 80% of its electricity comes from hydroelectric, solar, and biomass sources. The region protects vast Natura 2000 areas including Stelvio National Park, Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, and the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage site. Sustainable mobility is promoted through extensive train networks and electric bike trails. Many hotels hold eco-certifications such as the EU Ecolabel or the Alpine Pearls sustainability label. When you book through ecohotels-impt.com, every reservation automatically offsets 1 tonne of CO2 at no extra cost.
Top choices include Park Hotel Miralago in Molveno (geothermal heating and solar panels on Lake Garda's doorstep), Rosa Alpina in San Cassiano (a luxury eco-resort with rigorous local sourcing and the three-Michelin-star St. Hubertus restaurant), Hotel Caminetto di Madonna in Madonna di Campiglio (waste reduction programme and ski-in/ski-out location), and Grand Hotel Trento (a green-certified city-centre property within walking distance of MUSE and Piazza Duomo). Each offers a different price point while maintaining strong sustainable practices. All are bookable through ecohotels-impt.com at the same price as Booking.com.
Book through ecohotels-impt.com. Every reservation automatically offsets 1 tonne of CO2 at no extra cost through verified carbon credits. You receive EUR5 free credit on your first booking and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens at 25,000+ green-certified partner properties across Italy, including many local restaurants, shops, and tour operators in Trentino-Alto Adige. Prices match Booking.com exactly — you pay the same amount, but your stay actively removes carbon from the atmosphere.
Yes. High-speed Frecciarossa and Italo trains connect Trento and Bolzano to Verona, Milan, Venice, Bologna, and Rome via the historic Brenner Line. The Verona to Trento leg takes about 1 hour; Milan to Trento takes approximately 2 hours. Regioneal trains serve smaller towns — Merano, Bressanone, Rovereto, and Riva del Garda (via Rovereto station). Both Bolzano Station and Trento Station are centrally located, so you can walk from the platform to your hotel. Using the train reduces your travel footprint compared to driving.
Summer (June-September) is perfect for hiking in the Dolomites, swimming and windsurfing on Lake Garda, and cycling the Adige Valley. Winter (December-March) is ideal for skiing and snowboarding at Madonna di Campiglio, Val Gardena, and the Sellaronda circuit. Shoulder seasons (May and October) offer lower prices, fewer crowds, and spectacular golden autumn foliage in the vineyards around Trento. See our detailed seasonal guide for month-by-month advice.