Spring in Trentino is the season of the reawakening. The snow melts up high and comes down into the valley in the waterfalls, the apple trees cover themselves in white and pink flowers, the lakes turn clear and full again, and the first trails open up for walking. It is a gentle moment, with clear air, green meadows and few people, perfect for those who want to enjoy nature without the summer crowds. In this guide we tell you what to do in Trentino in spring, from the apple blossom in Val di Non to the waterfalls full from the snowmelt, from the lakes waking up to the historic gardens in bloom, all the way to the first easy walks. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests in this land for a long time, and these are the places we would recommend to a friend arriving in spring.
1. The apple blossom in Val di Non, the spring that turns white
If there is one image that tells the story of spring in Trentino, it is Val di Non covered in flowers. This gentle and tidy valley is one of the most important apple-growing areas in Europe, and every year, in spring, its orchards turn into a sea of white and pink flowers. It is a sight that lasts only a short time, and that is exactly why it should be enjoyed at the right moment.
The blossom is roughly between early April and the first days of May, but the exact period changes every year with the weather and the altitude: it begins in the lower parts of the valley and rises towards the higher ones, so it is best to check before you set off. You can tour it easily by car along the roads between the orchards, or on foot and by bike on the trails between the rows. Between one orchard and another you come across villages, castles and little churches that make the walk even more beautiful. If you want to get to know this valley and its flavours better, read our guide le mele della Val di Non.
2. Cascate Nardis, the snowmelt that falls for over a hundred metres
In spring the waterfalls of Trentino are at the peak of their power, because the water from the snowmelt makes them full and strong. The Cascate Nardis are the most spectacular example. They are in Val Genova, in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, and they are fed by the glaciers of the Presanella: the water drops with a leap of over 130 metres between the rocks and the woods.
It is precisely in spring, when the snow melts up high, that the waterfall reaches its maximum flow and the roar of the water fills the whole valley. It is easy to reach: there is a viewpoint not far from the road, and from there you take in the sight of the great drop. Val Genova is called the valley of the waterfalls, and Nardis is the most famous. If you like walking along the water, you will find more ideas in our guide to cascate del Trentino a piedi.
3. Cascate di Vallesinella, the walk among the falling water
Staying in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, above Madonna di Campiglio, another perfect spring destination awaits you. The Cascate di Vallesinella are a series of waterfalls where the Sarca di Vallesinella stream comes down through the woods of firs and larches. The falls are divided into three groups, lower, middle and upper, connected by trails and wooden walkways.
The springs that feed them are particularly full during the snowmelt period, so in late spring the water is abundant and the show is at its best. It is an easy walk and suitable for families, although on early-season days some stretches may still be damp or have leftover snow, so proper footwear is a good idea. You start from the Vallesinella area, reachable from Madonna di Campiglio. You can choose a short loop up to the middle falls or a longer ring that touches all of them.
4. Lago di Tenno, the turquoise that wakes up
Just above Riva del Garda hides one of the most beautiful lakes in Trentino, and it is precisely in spring that it gives its best. Lago di Tenno is a small alpine lake at around 570 metres of altitude, famous for the intense turquoise colour of its waters and for being one of the cleanest lakes in Italy. In spring the springs that feed it bring more water and the level rises, and the turquoise becomes even more intense.
An almost flat trail of about 3 kilometres loops it in a little over an hour, offering ever-new views over the lake, and it is suitable for everyone. Spring is one of the best seasons for this walk, with nature waking up and fresh colours all around. Nearby is Canale di Tenno, a medieval village among the most beautiful in Italy, with narrow lanes and stone houses: a lovely stop to combine with the day at the lake. If you like gentle walks, you will find more ideas in our guide to sentieri facili.
5. Lago di Toblino, the castle on the water among green vineyards
Fifteen kilometres from Trento, in the area called Valle dei Laghi, a fairytale scene awaits you. Lago di Toblino is a small lake surrounded by hills, woods and vineyards, with an almost Mediterranean vegetation of cypresses and reeds that mirror themselves in the water. At its centre, connected to the land by a thin strip, stands Castel Toblino, an elegant Renaissance residence that seems to float on the lake.
Spring is the ideal time to discover it on foot, when the trail is free of snow and ice and the tender green of the freshly awakened vineyards dominates. There is a lovely walk on wooden boardwalks that runs along the shore, perfect for a quiet stroll. The banks are protected as a biotope thanks to the reed bed and the waterfowl that live there, so it is a destination where nature is cared for and silent. It is easy to reach from Trento along the road towards Lake Garda.
6. Parco secolare degli Asburgo, the historic garden in bloom
In Levico Terme, in the Valsugana, you find the most important historic park in Trentino, and spring fills it with colour. The Parco secolare degli Asburgo is a large thermal garden from the early twentieth century, inaugurated in 1905 for the rest of the Austrian nobility who frequented the spa. Among its avenues grow century-old trees, beeches, sequoias, magnolias and cedars, together with many rare species that arrived from all over the world.
In spring the flower beds bloom again, the magnolias open and the trees put out their first tender leaves, and strolling among the avenues is a relaxing pleasure. At the centre of the park stands the elegant Villa Paradiso, a graceful period building that adds charm to the visit. It is a quiet destination, suitable for everyone, where you can walk calmly among nature and history. It is easy to reach from the centre of Levico Terme.
7. Giardino d'Europa De Gasperi, the first flowers of the Tesino
To close, we take you to the Tesino, a quiet and green area of the Valsugana, into a garden that brings together nature and memory. The Giardino d'Europa De Gasperi is in Pieve Tesino and is a flower garden shaped like an amphitheatre, dedicated to Alcide De Gasperi and to the idea of a united Europe. Among its beds grow more than fifty different species, including plants typical of the Tesino and varieties that arrived from far away.
The flower season begins precisely in spring, with the first tulips opening the colours, and then continues in the following months. It is a serene place where you can walk calmly, and it is the gateway to the Arboreto del Tesino, a large wood crossed by easy trails, suitable for all ages and for families. You can freely choose the length of the loop among the paths that cross one another. It is an ideal destination for a spring day in the open air.
Where to stay for a spring in Trentino
If you look at the map of these places, you notice one thing: much of what makes spring in Trentino special is reachable as a day trip from the Valsugana. The Parco secolare degli Asburgo is in Levico Terme, the Giardino d'Europa is in the nearby Tesino, and from here even Val di Non with its blossom, the snowmelt waterfalls and the lakes waking up such as Tenno and Toblino are within reach of an excursion.
This is why the lakes area of the Valsugana, around Caldonazzo, Levico and Calceranica, is an ideal base for a spring holiday. In the morning you wake up with the fresh air and the green meadows, you spend the day among blossoms, waterfalls and walks, and in the evening you return to a quiet place, far from the crowds. Spring is also the perfect season for the first gentle walks, and you will find more ideas in our guide to sentieri facili.
We at Italy Holiday welcome guests in this very area, in homes designed to make you feel at home from the very first moment. If you dream of a spring among flowers, water and mountains waking up, discover where to stay near the lakes of the Valsugana and pack your bags: Trentino in spring is waiting for you.
