I recently visited beautiful Trentino, in the Northern part of Italy in the Alps. A province renowned for its mountains, such as the famous Dolomites. A location where your camera doesn't leave your hands, since there is simply so much beauty to capture, especially during the summer months. My travels focussed mainly on the area of Val di Fiemme, The Primiero Valley of San Martino and The Natural Park of Paneveggio. I was lucky enough to visit several locations here, in which I found beautiful nature, silence and breathtaking scenery. After experiencing many beautiful hikes in this area, I know one thing for sure: as a photographer and a nature lover, you definitely want to check out these 6 great foto spots!

1) Lago di Paneveggio: enjoy the silence

Here I visited Lago di Paneveggio. This magnificent lake in the Pale di San Martino Natural Park is great for hiking and offers everything you need to see, from deer, wildlife, rivers, resonance trees and woods, to gorgeous free-flowing waterfalls. Add all these elements and the picture is complete. Furthermore, it is amazing to know, that this wood is used for making instruments and the area is famous for its production.

Paneveggio Lake in San Martino Natural Park.

2) Peaceful Predazzo-Feudo Pass

My starting point was Predazzo, in the Val di Fiemme. I made my journey by chair lift, even this silent experience alone was worth every moment! You will find yourself surrounded by the most peaceful and idyllic views going up the mountain Latemar. You arrive at an altitude of 2.200 m to walk up to the Feudo Pass refugee, or even higher, to the Latemar Hut at 2671 m. The surrounding natuer is simply stunning and the hikes on Latemar offer a range from the traditional relaxing walk to the most difficult uphill, strenuous climbs. I opted for the relaxing walk, which means I could take plenty of pictures on the way and carry up the photography gear on my back. ;) At the Feudo Pass refugee, you will have the most amazing views on Passo Rolle and also the best tiramisu ever! This provides a welcome break and a great moment for recharging your camera batteries in the meanwhile.

Arriving at the start of the Feudo Pass, at an altitude of 2.200 m.

Don't forget to look back, since the views are amazing!

Here at the Feudo Pass Refugee, they serve the most delicious meals. Together with these views... an beautiful experience!

Many people come here to hike and enjoy the fresh air and the great outdoors.

3) The sweet valley of Val Venegia

Also located in the Paneveggio Natural Park, is this simply breathtaking and the valley is characteristic of the local area. Here with every step you take, the views get more mesmerising, looking towards the mountains of Pale di San Martino Dolomites. Bring plenty of water, good shoes and take your time. Your camera will love this, so don’t forget to bring enough memory cards with you. In the valley, there are two refugees that serve delicious home cooked meals. They used to keep cows there, that are grazing all day in the meadows of the valley, during summer months and whose milk production produces famous local cheeses.

This could be a scene from the Sound of Music! Idyllic and piecefull surroundings.

The bells you could hear here made you just want to sing along.

4) Baita Sagantini and the Enrosadira Phenomena

Time to check those memory cards again…;) When you keep following the unpaved roads in the Val Venegia valley, you will reach the famous Baita Segantini hut, near the spectacular pass of Passo Rolle. From this privileged vantage point at around 2.200 metres in altitude, you can admire the mountains of the Pale di San Martino Dolomites in their full majestic beauty. If the weather is clear and the atmospheric conditions are right, you might see the Enrosadira Phenomena, which has the typical Dolomites colours during a perfect sunset. The effect is caused by a mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium minerals in the rocks. At dawn, the mountains then turn red, pink and violet. Luckily, we experienced a beautiful dawn. If you can double the view by photographing the reflection in the lake, it is indeed a bonus! When walking back downhill.. the surrounding valleys are worth capturing as well!

My guide was the perfect model for this sunset. :)

Endless stunning views and great paths to walk - Passo Rolle

5) Ocean of Rocks at the Pale di San Martino plateau

From the famous mountain resort of San Martino di Castrozza, is accessible by cable car. Here you will easily be brought up to 2600 metres above sea level, to the Pale di San Martino plateau. From there you can do day trekking through an ‘ocean of rocks’ (50sq km!) If you need a break: the views and food on the terras of the Rosetta Mountain Hut give you enough energy to even climb the slopes of Everest. :) It is a great place to photograph, but most important; take your time to take it all in, the views are incredible.

An ocean of rocks once you enter the plateau.

The markings on the paths. On foggy days, they lead the way.

My guide looking towards Pale di San Martino.

Cima Rosetta at an altitude of 2765 meters.

6) A Natural Gallery: Val di Fiemme

The valley of Val di Fiemme is eroded by the River Avisio, which originates on the glaciers of the Marmolada. It's the valley you will cross driving from Verona towards Bolzano. When you drive here, you feel like you want to stop everywhere to take a picture. And that's exactly what I've done :) After every turn, you'll see new churches emerge and also, when you travel in the morning, the combination of the warm light and the mist in the valley is a great photographic opportunity. Also, try to take a turn in the small roads as well, you will come across the most beautiful photo moments!

Try to get up early to experience the beautiful morning light in the valley.

The Church of San Giorgio, located on a hill that dominates the town of Castello-Molina di Fiemme.

You gotta love lonely trees... Especially on this stunning hill in Val di Fiemme!

This horse drew my attention straight away. Luckily the farmer let me go closer to get this shot with the mountains in the background.

This blog contains only a small selection of the many beautiful sceneries Trentino has to offer. There is so much more to explore here, that I hope one day, I will return again...

I would like to extend a big thank you to Trentino Tourist board, The Fiemme tourist board and the Tourist board of San Martino, for letting me have this wonderful opportunity and for all of their efforts in the organisation and making this trip a great success.

If you would like to find out more about this area, then please check here.