Lake Tenno and the medieval village of Canale

If you're planning a trip with your friends that combines the turquoise waters of a mountain lake with the magical atmosphere of a small medieval village, I'd recommend reading this article and including a visit to Lake Tenno and the nearby village of Canale di Tenno in your itinerary.

We are in Trentino-Alto Adige, and more specifically in the north-western part of Lake Garda, a region of stunning natural beauty, dominated by high mountains and lush vegetation. This is an area that changes rapidly as one moves away from the lakeshore, where the rocky cliffs become more imposing, the air grows cooler and the landscape takes on the typical look of Alpine valleys.

Starting from Riva del Garda, you can reach Lake Tenno in about twenty minutes by car, heading up along the Strada Statale 421, a scenic road that leads to the Varone Waterfalls, a place of interest well worth a visit, which I discussed in detail in my article entitled 'The Varone Cave and Waterfall Park'.

Beyond this point, the road keeps going uphill, passing through small villages and opening up to ever wider views of the valley, until it reaches the municipality of Tenno, where the majestic Tenno Castle stands as a silent guardian over the village.

The final stretch leads towards Ville del Monte and ends after a few minutes with your arrival at Lake Tenno, where there are several car parks for cars, motorbikes and campervans. Here, the atmosphere is quite different: as soon as you step out of your vehicle, you find yourself immersed in the natural silence of the woods and the scents of the mountains. The car park is just a short walk from the main path, so you can start your walk around the lake in no time by heading down a short flight of steps.

Lake Tenno

Lake Tenno is a small mountain lake covering an area of approximately 0.195 km², famous for its vibrant colours – ranging from turquoise to emerald green – and for the clarity of its waters; these features make it an ideal destination for anyone wishing to spend a day of pure relaxation in the countryside.

Its natural origin is linked to a massive landslide that occurred around 1100, which drastically altered the landscape. Lake Tenno forms part of the Alpi Ledrensi and Judicaria Biosphere Reserve, an important UNESCO designation aimed at preserving the culture of the area, promoting its villages and rural traditions, local products and forms of land management that respect the rhythms of nature.

Around Lake Tenno there is a circular route to be followed in a clockwise direction; it is an easy trail that allows you to walk the entire length of the lake effortlessly, whilst enjoying ever-changing views of the surrounding landscape. Since 2023, this route has been made even more accessible thanks to the construction of a 120-metre-long, 1.20-metre-wide suspension bridge – a modern structure that allows you to cross the Rio Secco stream in complete safety, making the walk easier at any time of year.

In the southern part of the lake there is a small island, a distinctive feature of the landscape that changes appearance depending on the water level. During periods of low water, when the lake level drops, the island becomes accessible on foot via a narrow strip of land that emerges from the water, allowing for a short walk to the top of the island.

The medieval village of Canale di Tenno

Once you have crossed the suspended bridge and passed the small island, the walk continues along the CAI 406 path, which leads to Canale di Tenno, a medieval village that seems frozen in time.

Canale di Tenno is located at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level, and the earliest records of its existence date back to the year 1211. It is a small, perfectly preserved medieval village, characterised by narrow cobbled streets, stone houses built close together, arches, porticoes and small inner courtyards that open up between the houses.

After a period of near-abandonment following the Great War, the village came back to life in the 1950s and underwent a major architectural restoration. Today, Canale di Tenno is recognised as one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia, a title that confirms its exceptional state of preservation and the authentic charm of its medieval buildings.

One of the main attractions in Canale di Tenno is undoubtedly the Casa degli Artisti (House of Artists), named after the Turin-born painter Giacomo Vittone, who found inspiration for many of his works right here in Canale. The building, now fully restored, is a place dedicated to creativity. Throughout the year, it hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops and cultural events that keep the link between the village and the art world alive.

In the immediate vicinity is the Museo degli Attrezzi (Museum of Tools), a small room displaying a valuable collection of agricultural implements and objects linked to the daily lives of farmers. It is a place well worth visiting to gain a better understanding of the true essence of this area and of the rural traditions that have shaped the history of mountain communities for centuries.

During the Christmas season, Canale di Tenno hosts one of the most charming Christmas markets in the whole of Trentino. The ancient stone houses and cobbled alleyways provide the perfect backdrop for the craft stalls, the scent of mulled wine and the small nativity scenes tucked away beneath the arches of the houses. The market is famous for retaining an authentic atmosphere; there are no large structures or modern displays, just local stallholders offering their handmade products and regional culinary specialities.

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How to get to Lake Tenno and the village of Canale

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