Remote Trentino-Alto Adige

This is a mountainous region, rich in rivers, streams and lakes, and divided neatly in two by the valley of the River Adige. To the west lie the remote glaciers of the Adamello-Presanella-Care Alto and Brenta mountain ranges. To the east the ranges of Lagorai, Latemar, the Dolomites of Fassa and the Pale di San Martino rise majestically. The biggest lake is the famous Lake Garda, just one of the 297 lakes in Trentino, most of which are hidden in the mountains at over 1,500 m/5,000 ft above sea level. Extensive dark coniferous forests cover the slopes of the mountains, and three natural parks help to preserve the typical animals and vegetation of the Alpine environment, including the now rare wild bear. The pleasantly warm and green valleys nestling between the mountain peaks are ideal for growing orchard fruit and grapes for some world-class wines, such as a splendid Cabernet Sauvignon. The main industry here is tourism, with excellent winter ski resorts transforming themselves into centres for hiking in the beautiful countryside in the summer.