Looking for a place in the mountains for relaxing family fun

Probably anywhere in Alta Badia would be best for scenery and less crowded.

Someone will say Ortisei eventually even though its overcrowded, its a forum requirement.

They need a car. Everywhere will be crowded to some extent in August. I managed crowds by getting up at the crack of dawn for hikes, but I didn’t have to worry about a family.

They need to hurry up, summer books up fast.

To tell it frankly, Dolomites are too crowded in August. I spend my holidays in Innsbruck; the mountains are not as beautiful but it is much less, much less crowded.

Yeah the dolomites do get pretty. Darn crowded. Not cheap either. But so beautiful.

Maybe someplace more up near the crest of the Alps behind Lake Garda?

Abruzzo should be suitable.

If you fly to/from Rome and plan to rent a car, Abruzzo is a good option and definitely not as crowded as other famous alpine localities.

@Hank

Criteria – uncrowded. Yes https://www.pontedilegnotonale.com/en/summer/

Criteria – high speed train. No, however a train does pass through Edelo.

Criteria – Lakes. Yes, there are and hiking trails.

Criteria – Lift access. But will depend on where you take accommodation.

I have friends who live around here near Adamello. Others from Zurich who have ski chalets.

I do not use public transport. I and my family are not financially impaired so cannot classify on affordability issues.

Have other uncrowded locations but prefer for them to remain that way. Virtually inaccessible by train.

In regard to northern Abruzzo, have many relatives around San Sasso. My observation is that it is not all that cool in August. Never used trains of busses or seen them for that matter.

Regards Ron

Ponte di Legno is packed during August, in particular during the central two weeks. The traffic in both directions for the high valley can come to a standstill. There are lots of quieter places in Vallecamonica, (where Ponte di Legno is situated) even in August but not from Vezza d'Oglio going north.
The two central weeks of August are high season in general in the mountains of Northern Italy because most people leave the cities for the summer break around Ferragosto. The problem is not the quantity of people per square metere. The problem is the cars on single lane or narrow roads and lack of parking.
I agree with others that it would be a great idea to investigate Abruzzo

@ Hank

Apologies. I appear to have given you a bum steer.

Regards Ron

No worries Tassie, I'm a big fan of a good amount of discourse around a travel topic. We learn some things, we steer sometimes in directions we didn't know existed.

August is a tough month. Maybe my friends should rent a car, rental farmhouse not too far from Alp di Suisi, expect that some places are going to be pretty busy, and call it good? If it's going to be crowded, you may as well go for the absolute most iconic experience ....

At the mention of a farmhouse, I thought to mention this site https://www.roterhahn.it/en/ for agriturismi in the South Tyrol. If they have a car, this can provide an extraordinary experience away from the masses in the villages.

Unfortunately, most scenic places in Italy with access to high altitudes or lakes will be crowded. Italians and others are just as interested in escaping the heat as we are. How about the Italian Alps to the NW of Milan?

Actually it would have been a good idea, Ron, any other time of the year. Anyway I was pleased to see my local area got a mention for once :) Not specifically around Ponte di Legno, but there are many other areas of Vallecamonica where we can hike for hours in the most incredibly beautiful landscapes without seeing more than a dozen people. But a car is essential.

@ Tina

Well, to me it is a beautiful area. Took a great deal of internal debate as to decide to mention it. I enjoy reading Hank’s contributions and thought it was a possibility. In contrast to the usual overcrowded Dolomite places that have descended upon by eager tourists.
Must confess I have not been around Ponte di Legno in August. Have been there either side during May and September. Not the place I would expect the run of the mill Steves style tourists to have been.

So how did I know about this little piece of Alpine heaven. Fortuitously many Italians, around my parents age, came from this area of Lombardia and nearby, choose, or were directed to Perth, Western Australia. Many of my fellow students at school and uni were from other parts of Italy and the Adriatic. I adopted many of their parents as my uncles and aunties. For example, but not limited to:

Incudine. This blokes’ parents came from here. I was able to take photos and videos of the house his parents left behind. Tried to encourage him to accompany me back there but was reticent about flying. Too late now.

Sondrio. Meet this bloke in a business transaction, became a good friend.

Malonno. Alongside my wife’s uncle from Albania, became my favourite adopted uncles. The real reason for my introduction to this area. It made me sad that my blood relatives, because of WW2 and jealousy and other factors were too racist and xenophobic for my tastes, so I replaced them.

These families introduced me to their relatives and so on. In hindsight, one of my better lucky decisions.

I, my sons, and other family members have a big smile on our faces at the challenge of driving in Italy and nearby. An adrenaline injection. Or rather a like a drug addiction. From my perspective pre and post August the traffic was rather light, but the weather just as I like it. In contrast with outback prospecting with my geologist mates for rare earths around Mt Weld. 45C is normal in summer. 30C in Winter.

Anyway, I hope it has given Hank an alternative to perhaps investigate. A farmhouse would be my family’s choice.

Regards Ron

@ Ron!
Well I never, when you are in Malonno and look at that little village (the top one) with the church on the other side of the valley the direction the sun rises from, you'll see me waving!
Yes, May - if it doesn't rain, for the flowers and September for that warm mellow end of summer no longer risk of storms atmosphere are the two best months. This stretch of the Valcamonica between Lake Iseo and Edolo and the side valleys have never been discovered by mass tourism. I think we can dare to whisper about it here...
I've done quite a lot of adopting myself since I moved here over 30 years ago, and still marvel at my luck :)