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Val di Non
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Explore Val di Non in northern Italy for apple orchards, Alpine lakes, medieval castles, dramatic canyons and mountain villages.

Val di Non occupies a broad, sunlit basin in western Trentino, north of Lake Garda and between the Brenta Dolomites and the mountains bordering South Tyrol. Often called the valley of apples, it is shaped by extensive orchards, wooded slopes, limestone gorges and a succession of smaller side valleys. The landscape changes noticeably with altitude: cultivated terraces and market towns dominate the lower basin, while higher villages lead towards forests, alpine pastures and the rugged scenery of the Adamello-Brenta area.
Read more about Val di Non
The valley's principal settlement is Cles, set beside the large reservoir of Lago di Santa Giustina. Cles is a useful base for exploring both the northern and southern parts of the valley, although the region is spread across numerous villages and mountain roads. Fondo, in the upper Val di Non, is known for the Rio Sass canyon and its historic centre, while Taio, Revò, Romeno and Coredo offer access to orchards, lakes and quieter rural landscapes. The nearby Val di Tovel leads to Lago di Tovel, a celebrated mountain lake within the Adamello Brenta Nature Park.
History is particularly visible in the valley's castles and religious sites. Castel Thun, dramatically positioned above the lower valley, is one of Trentino's most important aristocratic residences and preserves the memory of the Thun family. The sanctuary of San Romedio, built on a rocky spur in a narrow gorge, combines pilgrimage tradition with an extraordinary setting. Medieval churches, fortified residences and old farmhouses reflect the valley's long connections with the historical County of Tyrol and the wider Alpine world.
Outdoor interests range from gentle walks through orchards and villages to canyon excursions, mountain hikes, cycling and winter activities at higher elevations. The Novella and Rio Sass canyons reveal a landscape of polished rock, waterfalls and deep ravines, while the forested paths around Lago di Tovel provide a more expansive mountain experience. Routes vary considerably in difficulty, and some natural sites require advance attention to access arrangements, particularly in peak summer.
Food is closely connected to the agricultural landscape. Val di Non apples, including the recognised Melinda production area, are used fresh and in desserts, juices and regional products. Local cooking also includes potato-based tortèl da patate, mountain cheeses, cured meats such as mortandela della Val di Non and dishes influenced by Trentino's Alpine traditions. The result is a destination where orchards, castles, religious heritage and mountain scenery are encountered within a distinctly rural corner of northern Italy.

When is the best time to visit Val di Non?

Best: June, August–September · 24–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January430
February635
March1040
April1450
May2060
June (best)2470
July2875
August (best)2775
September (best)2465
October1655
November945
December435

Getting to and around Val di Non

How to get there

The usual gateway is Trento, outside Val di Non, which has rail connections on Italy's main north-south corridor and onward road and bus links into the valley. The Trentino Trasporti railway from Trento runs through Mezzolombardo and reaches the lower valley at stations including Dermulo, from where buses connect with Cles and other settlements. Visitors arriving by car generally approach from Trento through the Val di Cembra or the Rotaliana plain, or from South Tyrol via the Mendola and Gampen Pass roads when conditions permit. Bolzano airport and Verona airport are outside the region and may be useful for some international itineraries, but onward travel requires road or rail connections.

Transportation

Public transport is most practical along the Trento–Mezzolombardo–Dermulo corridor and on bus routes linking Cles with surrounding communities, but services become less frequent in high villages and side valleys. A car is useful for reaching Castel Thun, Lago di Tovel, remote trailheads and small mountain settlements, although roads can be narrow and winding. Cycling is possible on local roads and dedicated routes, but gradients and traffic conditions vary. Walking works well within individual villages and on signed trails; it is not a substitute for transport between the valley's widely separated attractions.

Destinations in Val di Non

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Val di Non

Val di Non's attractions combine historic residences, religious sites, rural landscapes and outdoor experiences rather than forming a single concentrated sightseeing circuit. Castel Thun, above Vigo di Ton, offers one of the region's most important encounters with aristocratic history, while San Romedio occupies a dramatic rocky gorge reached by a signed walkway and road access. In the upper valley, the Rio Sass canyon at Fondo leads visitors through a narrow geological cleft with bridges, stairways and interpretive sections, while the Novella canyon reveals waterfalls and sculpted rock. Lago di Tovel, in the Val di Tovel side valley, provides a mountain-lake setting within the Adamello Brenta Nature Park. Around Cles, Lago di Santa Giustina frames orchard slopes and wooded hills, and villages such as Coredo, Tavon and Romeno provide access to walks, churches and highland scenery. Hiking, cycling, snow sports and family-oriented nature activities are available, but access, difficulty and seasonal operation vary, so local information is important.

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Best landmarks in Val di Non

Castel Thun is Val di Non's most recognisable historic landmark, standing above the lower valley with fortified walls, towers and a long association with the Thun family. The sanctuary of San Romedio is equally distinctive: a series of churches and chapels climbs a narrow rock pinnacle above a wooded ravine, creating a religious complex inseparable from its setting. In Fondo, the historic centre and Rio Sass gorge express two different aspects of the upper valley, combining Alpine settlement with dramatic geology. Lago di Santa Giustina is the region's defining modern landscape landmark, its broad waters occupying the basin below Cles after the construction of the hydroelectric dam. Higher up, Lago di Tovel is a notable natural landmark surrounded by forest and mountain terrain in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park. The valley's smaller churches, bell towers, aristocratic residences and stone farm buildings complete a dispersed architectural landscape shaped by medieval power, religious practice and centuries of agriculture.

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Best restaurants in Val di Non

Dining in Val di Non is rooted in Trentino's mountain cooking and the valley's productive orchards. Apples are central to the regional identity and appear in cakes, strudels, juices, preserves and other farm products, while local restaurants and agriturismi often use seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs. Look for tortèl da patate, crisp potato pancakes traditionally served with cured meats, cheeses or salad, and mortandela della Val di Non, a locally associated cured pork product. Mountain cheeses, polenta, dumplings and hearty soups reflect the wider Alpine food culture, while menus may also include freshwater fish and dishes based on game or mushrooms when in season. Village trattorie, rural farm restaurants, cafés and traditional inns tend to offer the most direct introduction to local flavours. In Cles and other larger settlements, contemporary Italian cooking sits alongside regional fare, and farm shops are useful for buying apples, honey, cheese, cured meats and bottles of local drink.

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Best bars in Val di Non

Evening life in Val di Non is relatively quiet and dispersed, reflecting its rural character. Cles has the broadest choice of cafés, wine bars, restaurants and places for an evening drink, while Fondo and other larger villages provide traditional bars and inns where residents meet for coffee, conversation and aperitivo. Smaller settlements generally centre their evening activity on a handful of cafés, restaurants or seasonal community events rather than dedicated nightlife districts. Some accommodation businesses and breweries or producers offer tastings, but arrangements vary and should be checked locally. There is little reason to expect a large nightclub scene; visitors usually spend evenings dining, walking through illuminated historic centres or attending occasional concerts and cultural events. During summer, village festivals can bring temporary outdoor music and food stalls, while winter evenings are more closely tied to restaurants and local gathering places.

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Best nightclubs in Val di Non

Evening life in Val di Non is relatively quiet and dispersed, reflecting its rural character. Cles has the broadest choice of cafés, wine bars, restaurants and places for an evening drink, while Fondo and other larger villages provide traditional bars and inns where residents meet for coffee, conversation and aperitivo. Smaller settlements generally centre their evening activity on a handful of cafés, restaurants or seasonal community events rather than dedicated nightlife districts. Some accommodation businesses and breweries or producers offer tastings, but arrangements vary and should be checked locally. There is little reason to expect a large nightclub scene; visitors usually spend evenings dining, walking through illuminated historic centres or attending occasional concerts and cultural events. During summer, village festivals can bring temporary outdoor music and food stalls, while winter evenings are more closely tied to restaurants and local gathering places.

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Best shops in Val di Non

Shopping in Val di Non is focused on useful local produce, village high streets and regional crafts rather than large-scale retail. Cles has the widest selection of everyday shops, food stores and services, while Fondo and other market towns offer smaller independent businesses, bakeries, cafés and traditional food shops. Farm shops and cooperative outlets are good places to look for Val di Non apples, juices, preserves, honey, mountain cheeses, cured meats and other products associated with the orchard economy. Seasonal markets and village events may add local crafts, textiles, woodwork or handmade gifts, but schedules vary through the year. Visitors interested in food should check labels and ask producers about direct sales, as some orchard businesses sell only at particular times. Decorative ceramics, regional books, walking maps and small artisan items make more useful souvenirs than generic Alpine merchandise, while local wine and spirits from Trentino can complement the valley's apple-based products.

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Val di Non essentials

Currency and Payment
Val di Non uses the euro, as does the rest of Italy, with the currency code EUR. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, transport ticket offices and established restaurants, particularly in Cles and larger villages. Carry some cash for small cafés, farm shops, rural parking arrangements, local markets and occasional smaller establishments. ATMs are available in the principal settlements, but visitors staying in remote hamlets should not assume that one will be nearby.
Safety
Val di Non is generally a calm rural destination, but ordinary precautions still apply in busy car parks, markets and tourist sites. Mountain walks require suitable footwear, water and awareness of changing weather; ravines and canyon paths can be slippery, steep or unsuitable for young children. Drive carefully on narrow bends and allow for cyclists, agricultural vehicles and livestock. In winter and during shoulder seasons, check road conditions before crossing higher passes. Swim only where it is expressly permitted, and treat reservoirs, rivers and gorge edges with caution.
Emergency Situations
The national emergency number in Italy is 112, which can connect callers with police, fire and medical assistance. In a serious mountain incident, provide a precise location, trail name, nearby landmark or GPS coordinates and follow the operator's instructions; mountain rescue is coordinated through the Italian emergency system. Do not rely solely on mobile coverage in gorges or remote upland areas. For non-urgent medical advice, ask accommodation staff or local health services for the appropriate regional contact, as arrangements can vary between settlements.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress practically for churches, sanctuaries and historic interiors, where modest clothing and quiet behaviour are appropriate. Keep to marked paths, close gates, avoid disturbing farm animals and take litter away from orchards, woods and protected areas. In restaurants, service charges and tipping practices vary, so check the bill rather than assuming a fixed percentage. Do not enter private farm tracks or cultivated orchards without permission, and avoid blocking narrow village roads while taking photographs. Italian public-transport etiquette, including validating or correctly purchasing tickets where required, applies in the valley as elsewhere in the country.
Local Tips
The valley is easiest to understand through contrasting bases: Cles suits central sightseeing, Fondo provides access to the upper valley and Rio Sass, and villages around Coredo and Tavon are convenient for lakes and highland walks. Orchard scenery is most accessible in the lower and middle valley, while more alpine landscapes lie towards Val di Tovel and the surrounding protected areas. Ask producers about seasonal apple harvests and local cheeses, and check whether rural attractions operate with reduced arrangements outside the main summer period.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloCiao[chow]
GoodbyeAddio[ah-dee-oh]
YesSì[see]
NoNo[no]
Please/You're welcomePer favore/Di niente[per fah-vo-reh/dee nee-en-teh]
Thank youGrazie[grah-tsee-eh]
Excuse me/SorryScusa/Mi dispiace[skoo-zah/mee dee-spee-ah-cheh]
How are you?Come stai?[koh-meh stah-ee]
Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?[beh-neh. eh too]
Do you speak English?Parli inglese?[par-lee een-gleh-zeh]
I don't understandNon capisco[non kah-pees-koh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menù, per favore[vor-ray veh-deh-reh eel meh-noo, per fah-vo-reh]
I don't eat meatNon mangio carne[non mahn-jo kar-neh]
Cheers!Salute![sah-loo-teh]
I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore[vor-ray pah-gah-reh, per fah-vo-reh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aiuto![ah-yoo-toh]
Go away!Vai via![vai vee-ah]
Call the Police!Chiama la polizia![kyah-mah lah poh-lit-zee-ah]
Call a doctor!Chiama un dottore![kyah-mah oon doht-toh-reh]
I'm lostMi sono perso[mee soh-noh pehr-soh]
I'm illSono malato[soh-noh mah-lah-toh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...[vor-ray kom-prah-reh]
I'm just lookingSto solo guardando[sto soh-loh guar-dahn-do]
How much is it?Quanto costa?[kwan-toh koh-stah]
That's too expensiveÈ troppo caro[eh troh-poh kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?Puoi abbassare il prezzo?[pwo-ee ab-bas-sah-reh eel pret-soh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Che ore sono?[keh oh-reh soh-noh]
It's one o'clockÈ l'una[eh loo-nah]
Half past (10)Mezz'ora dopo le dieci[metz-oh-rah doh-poh leh dee-eh-chee]
MorningMattina[maht-tee-nah]
AfternoonPomeriggio[poh-meh-ree-joh]
EveningSera[seh-rah]
YesterdayIeri[yeh-ree]
TodayOggi[oh-gee]
TomorrowDomani[doh-mah-nee]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Due[doo-eh]
3Tre[treh]
4Quattro[kwah-troh]
5Cinque[cheen-kweh]
6Sei[say]
7Sette[set-teh]
8Otto[ot-toh]
9Nove[noh-veh]
10Dieci[dee-eh-chee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dove si trova...?[doh-veh see troh-vah]
What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?[kwahl eh leen-dee-reet-soh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Puoi mostrarmi (sulla mappa)?[pwo-ee mos-trar-mee (soo-lah mah-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?Quando passa il prossimo (autobus)?[kwan-doh pah-sah eel proh-ssee-mo (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)[oon bee-lyet-toh (per ....)]

History of Val di Non

Rhaetian and Roman Val di Non

Before Roman rule, the valley was inhabited by communities generally associated with the Rhaetian cultural world, whose language and customs were connected to neighbouring Alpine regions. Roman expansion brought the area into the empire and integrated it into wider networks linking the Adige basin with Alpine routes. Archaeological evidence and place-name studies indicate a long process of cultural change rather than a sudden replacement of local society. The valley's position between Trentino and the Alpine passes later continued to shape its political and economic importance.

Christianisation and the Sanctuary of San Romedio

Christian traditions in Val di Non developed during late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, with churches and monastic foundations gradually becoming important centres of settlement and authority. San Romedio, traditionally associated with a hermit who lived in the area, became one of the region's most significant pilgrimage sites. Its buildings were expanded over centuries on a steep rocky outcrop, producing the distinctive sequence of chapels and churches visible today. The sanctuary illustrates how religious practice, landscape and local identity became closely connected in Alpine valleys.

Medieval Lords and Castle Building

During the Middle Ages, Val di Non was divided among ecclesiastical authorities, noble families and communities that controlled farms, woodland, roads and fortified sites. Castles were built or enlarged to oversee routes and estates, and several aristocratic residences remain prominent features of the landscape. Castel Thun is the best-known example, having developed over centuries as the seat of the influential Thun family. Medieval churches, towers and fortified houses in settlements across the valley preserve the political fragmentation and agricultural organisation of this period.

The County of Tyrol and Habsburg Rule

Val di Non became closely connected with the historical County of Tyrol and, through it, with the Habsburg realms. This relationship influenced administration, law, trade and cultural links across the Alps, while the valley retained strong connections with Trentino and Italian-speaking communities to the south. Local noble families, parish institutions and rural communities continued to manage much of daily life. The legacy of the Tyrolean period can still be seen in historic architecture, landholding traditions and the valley's position at a cultural meeting point between northern and southern Alpine Europe.

Agriculture, Roads and Alpine Commerce

For centuries, households combined small-scale farming, livestock keeping, forestry and seasonal work. Better roads and improved links with the Adige valley gradually widened markets for timber, fruit and livestock. Apple cultivation became increasingly important during the modern period, supported by irrigation, agricultural cooperation and improved storage and transport. The transformation did not erase the older rural landscape: many villages still retain dense historic centres, barns, chapels and small fields, even though commercial orchards now dominate much of the valley floor.

Modern Infrastructure and the Apple Economy

The twentieth century brought major changes through electrification, road building, tourism and the regulation of the Noce river. The construction of the Santa Giustina dam created the large reservoir below Cles and supported hydroelectric production, while also altering the valley's landscape and transport routes. Agricultural cooperatives helped establish Val di Non as one of Italy's major apple-growing areas, with the Melinda consortium becoming a prominent regional producer. Contemporary Val di Non balances this productive agricultural economy with heritage conservation, outdoor recreation and protected mountain landscapes.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Val di Non

Explore Val di Non with Evendo, your 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, and more.

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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  • Comprehensive travel essentials and local advice
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Welcome to Val di Non, a picturesque valley in the stunning region of Trentino, Italy. With Evendo, your journey through this enchanting destination becomes effortless and unforgettable. Whether you're planning a visit to the famous Novella Canyon, taking a scenic tour around Lake Santa Giustina, or exploring the historic Thun Castle, Evendo ensures you won't miss a thing.

Our app provides detailed information on all the top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Val di Non. Each listing is enriched with images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it simple for you to plan and organize your trip.

Savor the local cuisine at renowned restaurants like Ristorante La Filanda and Osteria Palazan, or unwind at charming cafes and bars scattered throughout the valley. With Evendo, you can easily book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app, saving you time and hassle.

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Download Evendo today and make the most of your trip to Val di Non. With global coverage of over 7,000 destinations, Evendo is your ultimate travel companion, wherever your adventures take you.

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