What are the 5 best places to go to the mountains in summer? If you love nature, trekking, and hiking in the mountains, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll give you some important tips and suggestions to organize your mountain excursions in Italy at some wonderful spots. Here’s the best guide to planning your summer vacation discovering the Italian mountains.
Table of Contents
- Summer in the Dolomites: Trentino, Adamello Brenta Park
- Summer in Valle D’Aosta: Courmayeur
- Summer in Abruzzo on the Gran Sasso
- Summer in Piedmont, Val di Susa
- Summer in Valtellina, Lombardy
Summer in the Dolomites: Trentino, Adamello Brenta Park
Trentino is one of the best regions to plan your summer mountain holidays. One of the most stunning areas in the region, in terms of mountain landscapes and beautiful valleys, is certainly the Brenta area: it lies within the wonderful Adamello Park. If you wonder where to go to the mountains in summer with family and kids, Adamello Brenta Park is the answer. The park is full of enchanting landscapes and plenty of family-friendly activities, making it perfect for mountain holidays with children. Here in Trentino, you can visit charming historic villages, waterfalls, and fully immerse yourself in the nature of the area. If you choose this itinerary for a mountain mid-August holiday, we recommend visiting the enchanting Lake Tovel, the fascinating Flower Trail, or the lovely village of Irone. Alternatively, still in Trentino, you can opt for the northeastern part of the region, experiencing a summer full of the fantastic landscapes of Val di Fassa.
Back to table of contents
Summer in Valle D’Aosta: Courmayeur
Another perfect region for a summer mountain holiday is Valle d’Aosta. In particular, Courmayeur is the favorite place for those who love sports, active vacations, and being close to nature and the environment. You cannot choose a holiday in Courmayeur without being captivated by the great charm of the mountains, especially Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is easily reachable via the Skyway: a modern cable car system that takes you up to Punta Helbronner (altitude 3466 meters). From there, you can admire Mont Blanc’s beauty and grandeur from a panoramic terrace. From Helbronner, you can also reach the Toula glacier, Chamonix, and the Vallée Blanche.
Back to table of contents
Summer in Abruzzo on the Gran Sasso
Heading south along the peninsula, you can decide to spend your holiday on the Apennines, particularly on the Gran Sasso in the Abruzzo region. This region welcomes trekking and mountain lovers, as well as those interested in history and culture. For your summer mountain holiday, we recommend the natural beauty of the Prati di Tivo area, a favorite destination for those who enjoy discovering mountain trails while admiring the natural scenery. On Gran Sasso, you can visit the Calderone, the only glacier on the Apennines. From this area, it is also easy to reach Calascio, a charming fortress that holds the record for being the highest in Italy (1460 meters above sea level).
Back to table of contents
Summer in Piedmont, Val di Susa
Going back north, another region capable of offering great and intense mountain experiences is Piedmont and its Val di Susa. This land stretches for 80 kilometers west of the regional capital, Turin. Val di Susa is a magical place offering many opportunities for mountain lovers and, why not, fans of Piedmontese cuisine. Bardonecchia is one of the most important and notable towns in Val di Susa, offering many summer and winter activities. The territory of Avigliana is also very interesting with its fantastic lakes. If you are planning your summer vacation in Val di Susa, we recommend visiting the Sacra di San Michele. For adventure and hiking lovers, we suggest the Grande Traversata delle Alpi (Great Alpine Crossing): this incredible trail covers 1000 kilometers within Piedmont alone, spanning the Pennine, Graian, Cottian, and Maritime Alps.
Back to table of contents
Summer in Valtellina, Lombardy
Finally, for all mountain lovers, we cannot fail to mention Lombardy and its beautiful Valtellina. Valtellina and Valmalenco are perfect mountain destinations for summer or winter holidays. This area offers an incredible tourist proposal and boasts unparalleled natural beauty. Valtellina is also home to 110 alpine lakes. If you are about to book your summer vacation in Valtellina, ski lovers can even ski during the summer at the Stelvio Pass. This area also offers a wide variety of trekking routes, biking trails for all tastes, granite gorges to visit, thermal waters, and much more. Valtellina is also the perfect place to organize your family holiday. It is a vast and varied alpine region composed of five different zones:
- Valchiavenna
- Morbegno Lower Valley
- Sondrio Valmalenco
- Tirano Middle Valley
- Upper Valtellina
Back to table of contents