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

Lake Kalterer – The crystal-clear waters of Lake Kalterer reflect the mountains of South Tyrol, while rare birds nest in the green slopes. Here, after a drive through Austria, whether with a tent trailer or roof tent, you can relax right by the lake water. It’s worth taking a trip to the swimming pool with lake access, the lakeside hiking trail, Leuchtenburg Castle, and the Kalterer See biotope. You’ll find tips for campers here, as well as for many other things, such as an adventure park, Bolzano, and a ski resort.

Lake Kaltern: warmest bathing lake in the Alps

Lake Kalterer is located in Italy. Because it is the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, there are many opportunities to start in the water directly from the campsite. Here we present the swimming pool with lake access, with a jetty, swimming pool and sunbathing lawn. With the lakeside hiking trail you can take a walk to see the surroundings after a nice day in the lake water. The mild climate, which allows summer vacations with higher temperatures, is also particularly beautiful.

In addition, a detour to Leuchtenburg Castle, a historic castle that offers a great view over the lake, is also worthwhile. Or you can visit the Kalterer See biotope, where you can admire rare birds and meter-high reeds. For action and adventure, a trip to the nearby climbing park is worthwhile. You will also find the ski areas of Bolzano and Mendel Ruffrè nearby, where you can let off steam with winter sports. This is also especially nice for the family.

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Tip: Read on here for more information on these tips!

But first of all, where is Lake Kalterer anyway?

Lake Kaltern in Italy: Alps, bathing lake & Bolzano

Lake Kalterer is located in the north of Italy. In the local language, the lake is called Lago di Caldaro. The bathing lake is easily accessible from Germany via Austria, as it is located directly in South Tyrol and south of the major 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 water. These are lined with 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 maybe make a stopover in Austria? A roof tent can be the perfect travel companion! These practical tents are mounted on your car roof and you can quickly unfold them on the go, for example to spend a night at an Austrian campsite. Take a look at a roof tent that is particularly well suited for short overnight stays here:

👉 Good Vibes Roof Tent

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Here you can see Lake Kalterer and the surrounding area up close:

This is what Lake Kalterer looks like up close. There you can also see the nearby towns, such as St. Josef am See with the 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 an insight into the landscape around the lake, whose picturesque mountain panorama is reflected in the clear water of the mountain lake. The small wooden jetties that protrude into the water and Leuchtenstein Castle, about which you can read more below, are also flown over.

360° view from Lake Kaltern: sparkling blue water

And here you can see the blue floods in a panoramic view.

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

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

Here you will find tips on how to plan your vacation at Lake Kalterer. First of all, the outdoor pool with lake access is ideal for spending a few relaxing hours by the lake. Afterwards, a hike around the lake and a trip to the Kalterer See biotope and Leuchtenburg Castle are ideal. In addition to hiking, 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 thing: in addition to a swimming pool, the swimming pool also offers a jetty for swimming in the lake water. Attached is a large sunbathing lawn for sunbathing. After swimming and bathing, it is also worth relaxing in the whirlpool, while the children romp on a playground, in an underground grotto and on a beach volleyball field. For a short meal, visit the kiosk or restaurant. Not swimming? Pedal boat rental nearby!

That’s what awaits you in 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

On 7.5 km you can see the surroundings of Lake Kalterer. While you walk around the lake exactly once, the hiking trail leads you over roads, wooden walkways and hiking trails. Along the way you will see the clear water in which the mountain panorama is reflected, the green orchards and one or the other small town. In the villages you can take a short break and eat something. The hike is especially nice for families with slightly older children, as you can experience nature while you move and the kids learn something for life.

These things make up the lakeside hiking trail:

• 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 will find more tips here:

• Lake Kalterer with dog

On the lakeside hiking trail you will also pass the biotope of Lake Kalterer. This is worthwhile for a special insight into South Tyrolean nature.

Lake Kaltern biotope: close to nature

In this nature reserve, which is also a breeding and nesting site for rare birds and marsh animals, you can enjoy nature. Along the hiking trails with nature trails, the surroundings are explained to you with the help of information signs. Especially children can learn so much, still have fun in nature and move around. In addition, a visit to a viewing tower is worthwhile, from which you have a wonderful view over the lake and the natural beauties around it.

That’s what you’ll experience in the Kalterer See 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 already see the typical reeds that offer protection to many birds and marsh animals:

You can also learn more about the region around Lake Kalterer 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 will first be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the lake. Then you can start the tour via an iron staircase. Inside the castle you will find old historical rooms, such as an old courtroom and old murals.

The trip 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 Leuchtenburg Castle:

Now you have already seen a lot of Lake Kalterer. Here is a suggestion for an experience in the direction of the town of Kaltern.

High ropes course: adventurous & high up

In the Walderlebnis Abenteuerpark near Kaltern, families with children from the age of 5 will get their money’s worth. This is the largest high ropes course in South Tyrol. In the high ropes course you start with a basic instruction on how the belay works and then you can climb between the treetops on several cable cars, 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

This is what one of the rope bridges you have to conquer in the high ropes course could look like:

These excursion destinations have so far remained in the immediate area of the lake, here you will find two more a little further away. The special thing: they are particularly suitable for winter sports.

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

While the region around Lake Kalterer, South Tyrol, is particularly known for its many winter sports opportunities, the milder climate at Lake Kalterer unfortunately rarely offers space for winter sports. Nevertheless, the valley around Lake Kalterer offers you a special winter atmosphere and the ski areas around Bolzano and the Mendel Ruffrè ski area are easy to reach. This makes the lake a popular travel destination even in winter.

Here you will find more tips on both places, so that nothing can stop you from skiing and snowboarding.

Bolzano: lots of culture, snow & winter sports

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

That’s 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 Kalterer it is a good half hour drive to Bolzano:

While Bolzano is very large and offers a lot of choice, the following ski area has a more contemplative, but also clearer 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 Kalterer. It is divided into two slopes, the Mandelpass – Monte Roen and Ruffrè – Monte Nock. The Mendelpass is described as easy, while Ruffrè falls under the categories difficult and medium. In addition, the ski area is also popular for snowshoe hiking and cross-country skiing. The chairlifts start at the historic village of Ruffrè, which is also worth a visit due to its special cultural mix.

That’s 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

You can drive to the ski area in a good half hour by car:

Skiing & camping? That’s possible! Despite the cold, winter camping can be a completely new and beautiful experience. So that you are nice and warm, you should take a heater with you. That’s no problem when camping. Here you will find a camping suitable electric heater:

👉 Ecomat heater

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If you have had an eventful day, you must of course also get enough sleep. Here you could make a selection for a campsite at Lake Kalterer.

Campsite: Directly on the lake

There are exactly two campsites at Lake Kalterer. Both are located directly on the west side of the lake. Here you can set up the awning directly after your long drive, unpack the camping kitchen and start your camping adventure directly with fresh lake air.

Camping St. Joseph on Lake Kaltern

Review: 4.2 / 5.0 (1,032 reviews)

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

Camping Gretl am See

Review: 3.8 / 5.0 (594 reviews)

• 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 Kalterer is rather mild. While a lot of snow falls in the north of South Tyrol, Lake Kalterer has less snowfall. The coldest month is January with an average of around 0 °C. In summer, the maximum temperatures like to climb over 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 will 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 what it currently looks like at Lake Kalterer:

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

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

Hiking: around the lake & into the mountains

One of the most popular activities at Lake Kalterer is hiking, as you experience so much of nature and can challenge your physical limits. Hiking keeps you fit and is fun for the whole family, in many areas even with the dog. To make planning easier, you will find lots of tips for hiking in the mountains and hiking in the snow, if you want to hike in Bolzano in winter, for example. These include advice on equipment, route, safety, orientations and two videos.

Hiking at Lake Kalterer at a glance:

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

Tips for hiking can be found 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 Kalterer. Its warm and calm water offers you good conditions for swimming in summer. If you haven’t swum for a long time, you should maybe go swimming again beforehand. This would allow you to build up more endurance for the vacation and enjoy the blue water longer.

Swimming summarized for you:

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

More tips on how to learn to swim or explain it to others and how to improve your existing technique can be found here:

• Learn to swim

Skiing: very close by in Bolzano & Mendel Ruffrè

Skiing is a popular winter sport. Due to the proximity of Lake Kalterer to ski areas in Bolzano and Mendel Ruffrè, a winter vacation at Lake Kalterer is ideal for trying out skiing. It may look difficult at first, but with a little practice and a few tricks, you can learn it relatively quickly. Then off to your ski adventure, also directly from the campsite at Lake Kalterer!

Skiing in the overview:

• 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 beginner tips, from ski boots to the right posture and videos that show you the start on the skis:

• Learn to ski

FAQ: Frequently asked questions from campers

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

Can you swim in Lake Kaltern?

Yes, you can! In fact, Lake Kalterer is even 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 Kalterer has two campsites where you can camp with a tent trailer or roof tent. Tip: Further up you will find the address, review and website of these campsites.

Does Lake Kaltern have a beach?

Not a direct beach, but four companies offer access to the lake with sunbathing lawns and partly a jetty with additional swimming pools.

What sights are there on Lake Kaltern?

The most popular places at Lake Kalterer include Leuchtenburg Castle and the biotope in the south of the lake.

What is the weather like on Lake Kaltern?

Mild and temperate in winter, with warmer temperatures up to 30 °C in July. Tip: More about the weather at Lake Kalterer can be found further up.

Camping in Italy and more destinations

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

Camping on Lake Garda: treasures of the region

In one to two hours you can reach Lake Garda by car. As one of the most popular Upper Italian lakes, you can experience an exciting excursion here. The diverse terrain of the lake offers numerous attractions, including sailing, windsurfing, climbing and mountain biking with breathtaking views, which makes it particularly popular with families.

Everything else you should know about Lake Garda can be read here:

• Camping on Lake Garda

Camping in Italy: Dolce Vita & beautiful vacation

But not only Lake Garda makes Italy an excellent travel destination, there are many other places that are wonderful as a destination. The country has a lot to offer – whether road trips with a roof tent through other places in South Tyrol, camping in Tuscany or city trips, it will certainly not be boring here.

Whether you only want to drive a few hours or plan a whole road trip to continue your journey from Lake Kalterer, here you will find many travel tips for Italy:

• Camping in Italy