Alpine Farms for Children in Andalo
If you are looking for the ideal mountain destination for children, with plenty of facilities provided especially for them, Paganella is the place to come, where the whole family can enjoy magical experiences that will stay with you long after your holiday is over.
Holidays in Andalo are unique not just because of the fairytale landscapes, the warm welcome, the food, and the many exciting opportunities that the area offers, but also thanks to a special part of the local culture, the high altitude Alpine farms known as “malghe”. These are where the animals are taken in summer, grazing the fresh Alpine pastures, and they form an important part of the region’s traditions. Up high, you can enjoy their stunning views, delicious produce, and the opportunity to get a close look at animals in their high altitude surroundings.
On this page, we will highlight some of the best places in Andalo and the surrounding area where you can enrich your family Alpine holiday with a short or longer stay at one of these malghe; they will capture your heart!
“Giro delle malghe di Andalo e dintorni”
Walk Visiting one of these Alpine farms is the stuff of fairytales, immersing yourself in the ancient mountain traditions of these high altitude oases where families can connect with nature.There are so many activities on offer to visitors, with each farm offering tours of the workshops and special experiences to learn about the daily life of shepherds, the ancient traditions involved in making artisan products such as cheese and butter, and the realities of living high up the mountain with the animals.
At certain times of the year (usually between June and September) in the area around Andalo and Paganella, there are organised tours of these Alpine farms for children, accompanied by guides, with visits to see the produce being made in the dairies and, of course, the chance to get a taste of it!
The most beautiful Alpine farms for children and families in the Paganella and Dolomites area:
Malga TerlagaA traditional warm welcome awaits families here, as well as authentic Trentino cuisine.In summer, children can let off steam in the large play area or meet some of the farm animals, whilst adults can relax on the sun terrace overlooking the Brenta Dolomites.
How to get there: Located at an altitude of 1,827 m, this Alpine farm is in a wonderful setting with great views of Paganella, close to the ski pistes in winter and the bike trails in summer.
Malga TovreOpen between June and September and now even more beautiful after recent renovation work, this farm close to Andalo is one you should not miss during your stay on Paganella. There are many animals who live here, like dairy cows and their calves, pigs, sheep, goats, geese, hens, and horses, all part of the farm park where children and animal lovers can meet the animals during educational tours of these farms where the day is based around the animals’ habits and the pastoral activities that are part of life in an Alpine dairy, producing milk, butter, yoghurt and cheese, all of which are available to taste and purchase.
How to get there: The farm can be reached from Andalo, by car as far as the car par in Località Val Biole (from Via Pradel) and then continuing on foot for around 45 minutes along the path that steadily climbs up the mountain. The route is easy and is even suitable for pushchairs but if you prefer a more relaxing option you can take the ski lift from Molveno.
Malga FaiFrom a small cowshed used only for special events, this building standing 1,600 m above sea level was recently extended and opened as Malga Fai, a wonderful place where you can learn all about mountain farm life, animals and traditional produce thanks to a packed weekly calendar of events.The farm is only open in summer and is home to many different animals, including cows, goats, rabbits, horses, hens and pigs, all part of a farm park that is popular with children and families. This traditional Trentino dairy also produces cream, yoghurt and cheese which you can taste and purchase on site.
How to get there: Malga Fai The Malga is easy to reach by taking the main SP64 road from the centre of Fai della Paganella to Santel. From here, you can take footpath 602 through the forests and pastures to Malga Fai. If you do not have a car, from Santel you can use the chairlift which takes you to within a 30 minute walk of the farm.
Malga Val dei BrenziSet in the forest, reached via a charming but little known trail, this recently refurbished Alpine farm offers stunning views over the jagged peaks of the Brenta Dolomites. It is only open to the public in summer when, as is the tradition in these summertime pastures, it becomes home to many grazing animals whilst also serving up traditional Trentino food, with many of the ingredients produced on the premises.
How to get there: From Santel, next to the Santa Libera church, you can take the forest track either on foot or by car (beware of pedestrians if driving) and wind your way up the slopes of Monte Fausior, following the signs and never turning off the track. The first section is steep and hard work but the road soon flattens out and the going becomes much easier. If you want to break up the walk back down, take footpath 603 to Baita Campedel, or take a detour to the Croce di Fai whether large metal cross marks a truly stunning viewpoint over the valley far below. To return to Santel, just follow the forest track.
Malga SporaOpen from early June to September, Malga Spora is the perfect destination for keen walkers because it is only accessible on foot.Surrounded by wide green pastures, larch forests and a breathtaking landscape, Malga Spora is close to Andalo and gives visitors the opportunity to see the dairy cows first hand and watch butter and cheese* being made in the traditional manner, or just enjoy a well-earned plate of food and a drink at the farm. This Malga is also one of the few that offers the opportunity to stay overnight in a dormitory room; the chance to sleep high in the mountains is a special experience.
*Cheese and butter are produced on alternate days, please check in advance to avoid disappointment.
How to get there: Malga Spora as a 1.5 hour walk from the end of the forest road. From the farm, you can continue along footpath 301 to Andalo, a walk that takes 3-4 hours. Before setting off on this walk, you should be aware that some sections of the path are not suitable for very young children or for pushchairs, as they are very exposed.
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