Camping on Lake Kaltern: swimming in the lake & winter sports – 7 tips for campers

Lake Kaltern – The mountains of South Tyrol are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Kaltern, while rare birds nest on the green slopes.
Here you can relax directly by the lake water after driving through Austria, whether with a tent trailer or roof tent.
A trip to the swimming pool with access to the lake, the circular lake hiking trail, the Leuchtenburg castle and the Lake Kaltern biotope is well worthwhile.
You can find tips for campers on this and much more, such as a climbing park, Bolzano and a ski resort, here.

Lake Kaltern: warmest bathing lake in the Alps

Lake Kaltern is located in Italy.
As it is the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, there are many opportunities to get into the water directly from the campsite.
Here we present the swimming pool with lake access, with jetty, swimming pool and sunbathing lawn.
You can take a walk along the circular lake trail to see the surrounding area after a lovely day in the lake.
The mild climate makes summer vacations with higher temperatures possible.
It is also worth making a detour to Leuchtenburg Castle, a historic castle that offers great views over the lake.
Or you can visit the Lake Kaltern biotope, where you can marvel at rare birds and meter-high reeds.
For action and adventure, a trip to the nearby climbing park is well worthwhile.
The ski resorts of Bolzano and Mendel Ruffrè are also nearby, where you can let off steam with winter sports.
This is especially great for families.

Tip: Read on here for more information on these tips! But first of all, where is Lake Kaltern actually located?

Lake Kaltern in Italy: Alps, bathing lake & Bolzano

Lake Caldaro is located in the north of Italy.
In the local language, the lake is called Lago di Caldaro.
The bathing lake is easy to reach from Germany via Austria, as it is located directly in South Tyrol and south of the city of Bolzano.
It is the warmest bathing lake in the Alps and the largest in South Tyrol.
The surrounding mountains are reflected in its clear waters.
These are bordered by vineyards and olive groves.
At a glance:

• You drive from Germany via Austria
• Warmest bathing lake in the Alps & largest in South Tyrol
• Surroundings: Mountains with vineyards & olive groves

Tip!
Do you want to travel comfortably and cheaply and perhaps make a stopover in Austria?
A roof tent can be the perfect travel companion!
These practical tents are mounted on the roof of your car and you can quickly fold them out on the road, for example to spend a night at an Austrian campsite.
Take a look here at a roof tent that is particularly suitable for short overnight stays: 👉 Rooftop tent Good Vibes

Here you can take a closer look at Lake Kaltern and the surrounding area:

This is what Lake Kaltern looks like from close up.
You can also see the nearby villages, such as St. Josef am See with its swimming pool and lake access and Klughammer, near the popular excursion destination: Leuchtenburg Castle.

Lake Kaltern by drone: green forest on the mountain

Here you can take a look at the green forests and fields in advance.
You also get a glimpse of the landscape around the lake, whose picturesque mountain panorama is reflected in the clear waters of the mountain lake.
You will also fly over the small wooden jetties that jut out into the water and Leuchtenstein Castle, which you can read more about below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz9acR64OV8

360° view from Lake Kaltern: sparkling blue water

And here you can take a look at the blue floods in an all-round view.

But what exactly can you actually experience at Lake Kaltern?
Read more here!

Tips for campers: outdoor pool by the lake, hike & climbing park

Here you will find tips on how to organize your vacation at Lake Kaltern.
First of all, the outdoor pool with lake access is a great place to spend a few relaxing hours by the lake.
Afterwards, a hike around the lake and an excursion to the Lake Caldaro biotope and the Leuchtenburg castle are ideal.
In addition to the hike, a trip to the high ropes course with the whole family is also a good idea.
The tips at a glance:

• Swimming pool with lake access
• Lake circular hiking trail
• Shining castle
• Lake Kaltern biotope
• Climbing park

Outdoor pool with lake access: jetty, swimming pool & sunbathing lawn

The “Lido am Kalterer See” swimming pool is located in the village of St. Josef am See.
The special feature: in addition to a swimming pool, the swimming pool also has a jetty for swimming in the lake water.
There is also a large lawn for sunbathing.
After swimming and bathing, it’s also worth relaxing in the whirlpool while the children play in the playground, in an underground grotto and on the beach volleyball court.
For a quick meal, visit the kiosk or restaurant.
Not swimming for once?
Pedal boat hire nearby!
This is what awaits you at the outdoor pool with lake access:

• Swimming pool is in the eastern part of St. Josef am See
• Offers swimming pool & lake access for families
• Lawn for sunbathing & relaxing
• Whirlpool, to relax after lots of water fun
• Playground, underground grotto & beach volleyball court
• Kiosk, restaurant & pedal boat hire nearby

In addition to the bathing opportunities, the South Tyrolean landscape is also excellent for hiking.
Here are some tips for excursion destinations for hiking or cycling.

Circular lake trail: once around the lake

Over a distance of 7.5 km, you can explore the surroundings of Lake Kaltern.
As you walk around the lake, the hiking trail leads you along roads, wooden footbridges and hiking trails.
Along the way, you will see the clear water reflecting the mountain panorama, the green orchards and one or two small villages.
You can take a short break and eat something in the villages.
The hike is particularly nice for families with slightly older children, as you can experience nature while moving around and the kids learn something for life.
These are the things that make the Seerundwanderweg so special:

• 7.5 km long hiking trail around Lake Kaltern
• Consists of: Roads, boardwalks & hiking trails
• Clear lake water & the green orchards
• Smaller towns for breaks & meals
• Experience nature, exercise & learn something new

Here you will find a section of what the landscape looks like on the hiking trail:

If you would also like to go hiking with your dog, you can find more tips here:

• Lake Kaltern with dog

On the circular lake trail, you will also pass the biotope of Lake Kaltern.
This is worth a visit for a special insight into South Tyrolean nature.

Lake Kaltern biotope: close to nature

You can enjoy nature in this nature reserve, which is a breeding and nesting ground for rare birds and marshland animals.
Signposts along the hiking trails with nature trails explain the area to you.
Children in particular can learn a lot while having fun in nature and getting some exercise.
It is also worth visiting a viewing tower, from where you have a wonderful view of the lake and the natural beauty around it.
This is what you experience in the Lake Kaltern biotope:

• Nature reserve with easy hiking trails
• Breeding & nesting site for rare birds & marshland animals
• Nature trail: information signs for the surrounding area
• Learning experience, fun in nature & exercise
• Observation tower with views over the lake & nature

Here you can see the typical reeds that provide shelter for many birds and marsh animals:

You can also learn more about the region around Lake Kaltern at the historic Leuchtenburg Castle.

Leuchtenburg: View of the lake & surroundings

Leuchtenburg Castle is also a popular hiking destination for families.
Once you reach the top of a hill in the south of the Mitterberg, you are first rewarded with a breathtaking view over the lake.
You can then take an iron staircase to start your tour.
Inside the castle, old historical rooms await you, such as an old courtroom and old murals.
The excursion to Leuchtenburg Castle at a glance:

• Popular hiking destination for families with a view
• On a hill in the south of the Mitterberg
• View over the blue lake & green forests
• Historic rooms, courtroom & old paintings

This view awaits you at the Leuchtenburg:

You’ve now seen quite a bit of Lake Kaltern.
Here is a suggestion for an experience in the direction of the town of Kaltern.

High ropes course: adventurous & high up

Families with children from the age of 5 get their money’s worth in the forest adventure park near Kaltern.
This is the largest high ropes course in South Tyrol.
In the high ropes course, you start with a basic instruction on how the safety system works and then you can climb between the treetops on several ropeways with lengths of three to sixty meters and different levels of difficulty.
For these reasons, a trip to the high ropes course is also worthwhile:

• Largest high ropes course in South Tyrol
• Suitable for families with children aged 5 and over
• Several ropeways with a length of 3 to 60 m
• Experience for several hours in the treetops

One of the wobbly bridges that you have to conquer in the high ropes course could look like this: These excursion destinations have so far remained in the immediate vicinity of the lake, here you will find two more a little further away.
What makes them special is that they are particularly suitable for winter sports.

Excursion destinations for winter sports, such as Bolzano & Mendel Ruffrè

While the region around Lake Kaltern, South Tyrol, is particularly well-known for its many winter sports opportunities, the milder climate at Lake Kaltern unfortunately rarely offers space for winter sports.
Nevertheless, the valley around Lake Kaltern offers you a special winter ambience and the ski areas around Bolzano and the Mendel Ruffrè ski area are within easy reach.
This makes the lake a popular destination in winter too.
You can find more tips on both locations here, so that nothing can stop you skiing and snowboarding.

Bolzano: lots of culture, snow & winter sports

Bolzano is the capital of South Tyrol.
In addition to the charm of a large city with many historical sights, Bolzano also offers picturesque surroundings.
A trip to Bolzano is particularly worthwhile in winter, as there are numerous ski areas for skiing and snowboarding.
But summer in Bolzano also has some great experiences in store for you!
One example: the picturesque landscape, which is very popular for hiking.
What awaits you in Bolzano:

• Capital of South Tyrol with a large city
• Excursion for historical sights
• Ski resorts for skiing and snowboarding
• In summer: hiking in the mountains

From Lake Kaltern it’s a good half hour’s drive to Bolzano:

While Bolzano is very large and offers plenty of choice, the following ski area has a more tranquil, but also more manageable number of slopes.

Mendel Ruffrè: charming & clearly laid out ski area

The Mendel Ruffrè ski area is the ski area with the shortest distance to Lake Kaltern.
It is divided into two slopes, the Mendola Pass – Monte Roen and Ruffrè – Monte Nock.
The Mendola Pass is described as easy, while Ruffrè falls into the difficult and medium categories.
The ski area is also popular for snowshoe hiking and cross-country skiing.
The chairlifts always start at the historic village of Ruffrè, which is also worth a visit thanks to its special cultural mix.
This is what you can experience in the Mendel Ruffrè ski area:

• Closest ski area to Lake Kaltern with 2 slopes
• Popular for snowshoe hiking & cross-country skiing
• Chairlifts start at the historic village of Ruffrè

The ski area is just over half an hour away by car:

Skiing & camping?
It’s possible!
Despite the cold, winter camping can be a completely new and wonderful experience.
However, you should take a heater with you to keep you nice and warm.
That’s no problem when camping.
You can find an electric heater suitable for camping here: 👉 Ecomat heater

After an eventful day, you will of course need to get enough sleep.
Here you can make a selection for a campsite on Lake Kaltern.

Campsite: Directly on the lake

There are exactly two campsites on Lake Kaltern.
Both are located directly on the west side of the lake.
Here you can pitch your awning straight after your long drive, unpack the camping kitchen and start your camping adventure in the fresh lake air.

Camping St. Joseph on Lake Kaltern

Rating: 4.2 / 5.0 (1,032 ratings)

• Address: St. Josef am See 75, 39052 Kaltern (BZ)
• Phone: +39 0471 960170
• Website: Camping St. Joseph on Lake Kaltern

Camping Gretl am See

Rating: 3.8 / 5.0 (594 ratings)

• Address: St. Josef am See 18, 39052 Kaltern / Caldaro (BZ)
• Phone: +39 0471 960244
• Website: Camping Gretl am See

Weather: mild winters in South Tyrol?

The weather at Lake Kaltern is rather moderate.
While a lot of snow falls in the north of South Tyrol, Lake Kaltern has less frequent snowfalls.
It is coldest in January with an average temperature of around 0 °C.
On the other hand, the highest temperatures in summer often climb above 30 °C.
The warmest month is July.
The water temperature can also rise to 28 °C, as the water in the lake heats up quickly due to its shallow depth.
Here you can find the weather data at a glance:

• Maximum temperatures in July: over 30 °C
• Water temperatures in July: up to 28 °C
• Lowest temperatures in January: approx. °C

This map shows the current situation on Lake Kaltern:

To-do: Hiking, swimming & skiing – for all seasons

If you are looking for exciting activities for beautiful vacation experiences, you will find tips for hiking, especially beautiful on the lake and in the surrounding mountains, swimming in the blue waters of the lake and skiing, should you prefer to travel in winter.

Hiking: around the lake & into the mountains

One of the most popular activities on Lake Kaltern is hiking, as you can experience so much of nature and challenge your physical limits.
Hiking keeps you fit and is fun for the whole family, in many areas even with your dog.
To make planning easier, you can find lots of tips here for hiking in the mountains and hiking in the snow if you want to hike in Bolzano in winter, for example.
This includes advice on equipment, routes, safety, orientation and two videos.
Hiking on Lake Kaltern at a glance:

• One of the most popular activities
• Experience a lot of nature
• Testing physical limits
• Winter hiking in Bolzano

You can find hiking tips here:

• Learn to hike in the mountains

Swimming: Calm & warm lake for a summer swimming vacation

Bathing and swimming are one of the most popular leisure activities for families, couples or even alone at Lake Kaltern.
Its warm and calm waters offer good conditions for swimming in summer.
However, if you haven’t swum for a long time, you might want to go swimming again first.
This will allow you to build up more stamina for your vacation and enjoy the blue water for longer.
Swimming summarized for you:

• Popular with families, couples & also alone
• Lake Kaltern: good conditions for it

You can find more tips on how to learn to swim or explain it to others and how to improve your existing technique here:

• Learn to swim

Skiing: very close by in Bolzano & Mendel Ruffrè

Skiing is a popular winter sport.
Thanks to the proximity of Lake Kaltern to the ski resorts in Bolzano and Mendel Ruffrè, a winter vacation at Lake Kaltern is the perfect opportunity to try out skiing.
It may look difficult at first, but with a little practice and a few tricks, you can learn it relatively quickly.
Then set off on your skiing adventure, also directly from the campsite on Lake Kaltern!
Skiing at a glance:

• Ideal for beginners: winter vacation on Lake Kaltern
• Proximity to ski areas in Bolzano and Mendel Ruffrè
• Learn to ski with a little practice & a few tricks

Here you will find tips for beginners, from ski boots to the right stance and videos showing you how to get started on skis:

• Learn to ski

FAQ: Frequently asked questions from campers

Answers to the most frequently asked questions before visiting Lake Kaltern.

Can you swim in Lake Kaltern?

Yes, you can!
In fact, Lake Kaltern is the warmest bathing lake in South Tyrol and is therefore ideal for swimming in the summer months.

Where can I camp on Lake Kaltern?

Lake Kaltern has two campsites where you can camp with a tent trailer or roof tent.
Tip: You can find the address, rating and website of these campsites above.

Does Lake Kaltern have a beach?

There is no direct beach, but four establishments offer access to the lake with sunbathing lawns and in some cases a jetty with additional swimming pools.

What sights are there on Lake Kaltern?

Among the most popular places on Lake Kaltern are the Leuchtenburg castle and the biotope in the south of the lake.

What is the weather like on Lake Kaltern?

Mild and moderate in winter, with warmer temperatures of up to 30 °C in July.
Tip: You can find out more about the weather at Lake Kaltern above.

Camping in Italy and more destinations

In addition to Lake Kaltern, Italy offers many other beautiful travel destinations.
Here you can find travel tips for Italy and Lake Garda in the south of South Tyrol.

Camping on Lake Garda: treasures of the region

You can reach Lake Garda in one to two hours by car.
As one of the most popular lakes in Northern Italy, you can experience an exciting excursion here.
The lake’s diverse terrain offers numerous attractions, including sailing, windsurfing, climbing and mountain biking with breathtaking views, making it particularly popular with families.
You can read everything else you need to know about Lake Garda here:

• Camping on Lake Garda

Camping in Italy: Dolce Vita & beautiful vacation

But it’s not just Lake Garda that makes Italy an excellent travel destination, there are many other places that make wonderful day trips.
The country has a lot to offer – whether it’s roadtrips with a roof tent through other places in South Tyrol, camping in Tuscany or city trips, you certainly won’t get bored here.
Whether you only want to drive for a few hours or are planning a whole road trip to continue your journey from Lake Kaltern, you will find lots of travel tips for Italy here:

• Camping in Italy