Valle dei Laghi, Valley and settlement in Trentino, Italy
Valle dei Laghi is a valley in southwestern Trentino, Italy, running from Terlago down to the Basso Sarca area and holding several lakes, among them Lake Toblino, Lake Santa Massenza, and Lake Cavedine. The valley floor and hillsides are covered with vineyards, orchards, and woodland, with the settlements of Vallelaghi, Madruzzo, and Cavedine distributed along its length.
The valley formed when the Adige River once flowed through this area during the transition from the Pliocene to the Quaternary period. Four successive glacial cycles then carved and reshaped the terrain, leaving behind the lakes, moraines, and rock formations that define the landscape today.
The valley is known for producing Trentino Vino Santo, a sweet wine made from dried Trebbiano grapes that grows only in this specific area. The vineyards on the slopes are easy to spot and give a clear sense of how closely the local way of life is tied to the land.
The valley is crossed by marked footpaths that run along the lakes and through the woodland, and most routes are accessible without special gear. The villages along the valley offer places to stay and eat, so visitors can choose a base depending on which part they want to explore first.
At the southern end of the valley, the Marocche di Dro is a field of huge rock boulders left by one of the largest mountain collapses ever recorded in Europe. The mass of stone is so dry and exposed that it supports plant species normally found only in much warmer climates.
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