Snowmelt rivers, a wind-blown reservoir at the top of South Tyrol and Lake Como's thermals at the end of Valtellina: each of our valleys has its own water. Here is what we would do from each house, and who runs it locally. Drive times are approximate.
Val Venosta: wind on the Reschensee
The Reschensee, the lake with the church tower standing in the water, is about 20 minutes up the valley from Laatsch. Six kilometres long and exposed to a steady valley wind, it is one of the best-known kite and sailing spots in the Alps, and in winter, once the ice is officially opened, the frozen lake becomes a snowkiting field.
- Kitesurfing and wingfoiling: Caramba Kiteschool and PROBOARDER both teach and rent from the kite station in Graun.
- Kayak and SUP: guided kayak trips on the Reschensee and Haidersee are run by Vinschgau Touristik in Mals, and SUP boards can be rented around the lake.
- Sailing: the Segelverein Reschensee, based at the sailing harbour in Reschen, offers beginner sailing lessons in summer.
Val Venosta: family rafting on the Adige
Lower down the valley, Rafting Adventure Südtirol runs a family descent of the Adige from Tschars back to its rafting centre in Rabland. It takes about three hours including the shuttle, from five years old, May to September. Rabland is roughly 50 minutes from Laatsch, so it fits well with a day in Merano.
Nearest house:Apart Vinschgau in Laatsch
Val di Fiemme: rafting on the Avisio
The Avisio runs right past Molina di Fiemme, and the local outfit Avisio Rafting is based at the little Lago di Tesero, about 15 minutes away. Their classic descent runs from Masi di Cavalese down to the Stramentizzo reservoir at Molina, a family trip from about seven years old, with an optional stop under the waterfall near Cavalese. For teenagers from 14 and adults there is a more technical stretch from Panchià and a gorge descent in the neighbouring Val di Cembra. The same team also offers canoeing, kayaking and canyoning, and runs the Suan rope park in Ziano.
- Departures from May to September, most frequent in July and August.
- Book a day or two ahead in high season.
Nearest house:Apart Dolomiti in Molina di Fiemme. The rafts finish practically below the village.
Valtellina: the Adda, canyons and Lake Como
From Torre di Santa Maria the main valley is close, and with it three very different kinds of water.
- Rafting on the Adda: guided descents start at Castione Andevenno, about 25 minutes away: a classic trip for beginners (April to October) and an advanced run with grade IV rapids for over-16s (April to July and September). Bookable through Freedome.
- Canyoning in Val Bodengo: the granite gorges of the Boggia above Gordona in Valchiavenna, about 1 h 15 min away, are among the best-known canyons in the Alps. Guided descents range from half-day beginner routes to a full-day expert descent.
- Lake Como at Colico: about an hour away, where Valtellina meets the lake. On good days the Breva builds from around 1 pm, often at 15 to 18 knots, good for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Schools include KTS40 Wind Revolution in Colico, Fun Surf Center in Dervio and Tabo Surf Center in Gera Lario. When there is no wind, it is simply a lake to swim in.
In Valmalenco itself, Lago Palù above Chiesa is an easy walk of about half an hour from the cable car: a cold mountain lake ringed by conifer forest. The Cormor, a partly underground canyon between Campo Moro and Franscia, is only for those with prior canyoning experience, with a mountain guide.
Nearest house:Chalet Valmalenco in Torre di Santa Maria
Good to know
- Rivers are fullest in late spring when the snow melts; in August the water is calmer and a little warmer.
- Alpine lakes stay cold even in high summer, so expect a bracing swim.
- Guided trips include the safety equipment and a guide; check with the operator what is provided. Bring shoes you do not mind soaking.
- Times, ages and seasons change from year to year, so check with the operator before you go.
Ask us when you book and we will tell you what the water is doing that week.
