Looking for stunning sights, no asphalt roads, and uncrowded places for your next family bike adventure? In this ride to Lago di Tret in Val di Non, we found all that and more! Read on and get inspired.
Lago di Tret Ride Info
We tackled this mountain bike ride first with our child on the shotgun seat and then in a child trailer. However, with the right stops, we believe the shotgun seat is fine for the entire ride. Be aware that some sections are quite steep, especially the final ascent to the lake. So, either be well-trained (like our super daddy!) or consider riding an e-bike especially if carrying the child trailer.
The ride is almost entirely on forest roads, which are wide enough to accommodate even large double trailers and are not technical. Most of the trail is shaded, except for some parts of the last ascent to Lago di Tret. This makes it an excellent ride option, even on hot summer days.
Parking and Sightseeing at Lago Smeraldo
There’s a large, free parking lot right at the start of the ride at Lago Smeraldo. Here, a small mountain lake with crystal-clear water offers a warm welcome.
Right at this lake, you’ll find the Canyon Rio Sass, which you can visit either before or after your ride. If you visit only the first part of the canyon, it’s a very short hike that your kids will truly enjoy. They’ll get to pass under rocks and venture into this small canyon. Visiting this section is free and only possible on foot, but it’s right by the lake and takes only about five minutes round trip. It’s perfect for a refreshing stop after your ride!
Little Villages along the Ride
During your ride, you’ll pass through the small village of Tret. It has no supermarkets, just one gourmet restaurant (not ideal for mountain bikers) and another restaurant called “Lo Scoiattolo,” located above the village on the way to Lago di Tret.
Lago di Tret
The destination is absolutely worth the effort of the last, quite steep ascent. This peaceful little mountain lake is surrounded by wide green fields and features a tiny island in the middle. Despite being a mountain lake, its water isn’t too cold, so you can enjoy a refreshing swim. We were impressed by the many fish we saw and had fun playing “fisherman” with some tree branches.
About two minutes’ ride from the lake, you’ll reach a truly beautiful lodge called Gasthaus Waldruhe. We loved their Spiegeleier (fried eggs, Tyrolean style) and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake), and we absolutely recommend it. The staff is very professional, the service is fast, and the atmosphere is authentic and family-friendly. Plus, its location overlooking the lake, with a large green field and a swing for kids, makes it an ideal spot for families. Its name, “Waldruhe” (forest rest), perfectly captures the atmosphere you’ll experience there!
The Return Route
The trail back to the parking lot is entirely on a wide forest road, first passing around Lago di Tret and then descending moderately. It’s not technical and leads you directly to the Lago Smeraldo.
What we Liked Most about Lago di Tret Ride
We loved the peaceful atmosphere at Lago di Tret, the delicious Tyrolean Spiegeleier after the ride, and the fact that the route is almost entirely on car-free forest roads. To sum up, it’s truly a relaxing place to enjoy a family ride—uncrowded, yet with plenty to see and delightful spots to enjoy.
For more inspiration on family rides, tested with trailers or for little riders, visit our dedicated section! Trentino offers an endless list of amazing places to explore, and even as locals who’ve lived here our entire lives, we’re still surprised to find a new one to visit every weekend!
