While Alleghe is best known for its ski resort, the village shows a completely different side during the summer months. Around its lake, nestled among the peaks of the Dolomites, Alleghe becomes a starting point for hiking, cycling and water sports. Here are five reasons to discover this destination outside the winter season.

1. A lake born from a natural event that shaped the village

Lake Alleghe holds a special place in the village’s history. It was formed in 1771, when a landslide from Monte Piz buried the neighbouring village of Riete and blocked the course of the Cordevole river. This event created a natural dam that gave rise to the lake as it exists today, which also submerged part of the houses located below. Today, this body of water is the geographical and touristic heart of the village in summer, surrounded by peaks that reflect on its surface depending on the light of the day.

This origin, both natural and tragic for the people living there at the time, gives the lake a dimension that goes beyond a simple scenic backdrop. It also explains the particular shape of the lake and the presence, beneath its surface, of the remains of the old submerged village. Several information panels along the lake path tell this story to visitors who want to learn more about the site’s origins.

2. A lake loop suitable for the whole family

The classic loop around Lake Alleghe remains one of the most popular activities in the village during summer. This route, around 5 kilometres long, takes roughly two hours to walk, on a mix of paved roads, gravel tracks and forest paths. The route reveals the village and its surroundings from several different angles, with the option of a picnic stop right on the shores of the lake.

This route suits both families with young children and casual walkers, without requiring any special equipment or a high level of fitness. A short detour leads to the Masarè waterfall, about twenty minutes’ walk from the village centre, extending the walk with an additional water feature. In the evening, the lake loop also attracts running enthusiasts, notably during a popular event held every year in mid-August that brings together several hundred runners around the lake.

3. Water sports for every level

In summer, Lake Alleghe becomes navigable and offers a wide range of water activities. Boat and pedal boat rental, SUP paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing: everyone can adapt their programme to their own level and interests, on generally calm waters sheltered by the surrounding terrain.

These activities are a great option on the hottest summer days, when the coolness of the water offers a welcome alternative to hiking under the sun. They also work well for families, with equipment suited to both children and adults depending on the local operators. For beginners, a first SUP or kayak outing on a calm lake like Alleghe is a good way to get started before venturing onto rougher waters.

4. Cycling and e-biking to discover the surroundings

The roads and trails around Alleghe offer varied terrain for cycling and e-bike enthusiasts, ranging from relatively flat valley routes to more demanding mountain trails. E-bikes in particular allow less trained cyclists to reach viewpoints usually reserved for the fittest riders, without a disproportionate physical effort.

With a guide available on request, e-bike outings take on an extra dimension: discovering the most interesting trails, advice on technical difficulties to anticipate, and added safety on the most exposed sections. This option works particularly well for groups or families discovering the area for the first time, as well as for cyclists who prefer to focus on the ride itself rather than reading a map.

5. Hikes for every level, between lakes and peaks

Beyond the lake loop, the Alleghe area offers a wide choice of hikes for every level. More experienced walkers can head for Rifugio Sasso Bianco, a mountain hut at around 1,840 metres of altitude, reachable from the hamlet of Caracoi Cimai in two to three hours depending on the chosen route. The view of the north-west face of Monte Civetta from the hut’s terrace ranks among the most striking panoramas in the area.

Not far away, the Serrai di Sottoguda form a natural gorge around two kilometres long, carved into the rock between Malga Ciapela and Sottoguda. This site, appreciated for its coolness in summer, pairs well with a day already devoted to hiking or cycling, for visitors who want to vary the scenery during their stay. A small chapel, located halfway through the gorge, adds a historical touch to the visit.

For families who prefer shorter routes, several waymarked trails start directly from the village of Alleghe and lead to viewpoints over the lake and Monte Civetta within an hour or two of walking, without requiring a long drive to reach the starting point.

Discovering the village of Alleghe beyond nature

The village centre is also worth a visit outside of outdoor activities. The Chiesa di San Biagio, rebuilt in the 19th century on the site of an older building, overlooks the main square and houses a remarkable organ installed in the early 20th century. Nearby, several monuments recall local history, including one dedicated to the mountaineers Emil Solleder and Gustav Lettembauer, who opened a route in 1925 that became a benchmark in the history of Dolomite mountaineering.

Walking through the streets of Alleghe in summer, past local shops and terraces with views over the lake, reveals a pace of life quite different from the busy winter high season, calmer and better suited to a relaxed discovery of local heritage. Local markets and small shops in the centre often offer typical regional products, a good opportunity to add a food-focused touch to your stay.

Combining sport and local food

After a day of walking, cycling or water sports, discovering local cuisine rounds out a summer stay in Alleghe nicely. Restaurants in the village and nearby farms serve typical products from the Agordino area: mountain cheeses, local cured meats and simple dishes made from produce grown nearby. This culinary side, often associated with winter, is just as present in summer, in a more relaxed atmosphere than during the busy ski season.

Weekly markets held in neighbouring villages are also a good way to meet local producers, with seasonal fruit, mountain honey and handcrafted wooden items, a speciality of the region for generations.

An accessible destination for a short stay

Alleghe sits around two hours’ drive from Venice, and roughly the same distance from Belluno, the closest town with a train station. This relative accessibility makes it possible to plan a stay of just a few days, without a long journey from the major cities of northern Italy or from France. For visitors travelling by car, several scenic routes pass through other iconic Dolomite villages on the way to Alleghe, a good way to extend the trip even before arriving at the destination.

A quieter season, ideal for exploring at your own pace

Unlike winter, summer visitor numbers in Alleghe tend to be spread more evenly across the day and the week. Visitors staying locally often enjoy quieter mornings on the trails and around the lake, before day-trippers from neighbouring valleys arrive around midday. This pattern makes it easy to build a flexible programme, combining physical activity in the morning with more relaxed moments in the afternoon, by the water or on a terrace.

Combining outdoor activities with rest days

A summer stay in Alleghe does not have to be packed with activity every single day. Many visitors alternate a day of hiking or cycling with a quieter day spent around the lake, reading on a terrace or simply enjoying the scenery at a slower pace. This balance, easy to achieve thanks to the compact size of the village and its surroundings, suits families and groups with different energy levels just as well as it suits a solo traveller looking for a break from a busy schedule.

Preparing your summer stay in Alleghe

To make the most of your summer in Alleghe, it is worth planning your equipment ahead of time, especially during busy periods. At Da Duilio Sport, bike and e-bike rental, as well as SUP and kayak outings on the lake, can be arranged directly by contacting our team, who are on hand to build a programme suited to your level and the length of your stay.

A destination that rewards a second visit

Many visitors who first discover Alleghe in winter for the skiing return in summer to see the same landscape under a completely different light, and vice versa. Seeing the lake frozen over in January and navigable in July, or watching the same slopes turn green after months under snow, adds an extra layer of appreciation for the area that a single-season visit cannot quite offer.

In summary

Between its lake born from an exceptional natural event, its water activities accessible to all, its cycling and e-bike routes, its hikes to mountain huts and its local heritage, Alleghe offers a summer programme just as rich as its winter season. Feel free to contact us to arrange your equipment rental and make the most of your stay by the lake.