Nova Levante
Nova Levante, known in German as Welschnofen, is a small municipality in the South Tyrolean Dolomites nestled in the Val d'Ega (Eg...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Nova Levante now
The story
The story of Nova Levante
The village of Val d'Ega between Catinaccio and Latemar
Nova Levante sits in the Val d'Ega (Eggental), a side valley of South Tyrol connecting Bolzano to the Costalunga pass, wedged between two of the most recognisable massifs of the Dolomites: the Catinaccio (Rosengarten) to the south and the Latemar to the north. The village, predominantly German-speaking despite its Italian name, retains the typical character of South Tyrolean alpine settlements, with timber-and-stone houses, onion-domed church towers and farmsteads scattered across the wooded slopes. Sitting at around 1,180 metres of altitude, it is a natural starting point both for those arriving by car along the Val d'Ega main road and for those following the hiking routes that climb toward the two Dolomite groups. Nova Levante is also the reference town for reaching Lake Carezza, just a few kilometres away, and for the entire Catinaccio-Latemar area, making it an ideal base for exploring one of Europe's most celebrated mountain landscapes.
Lake Carezza (Karersee)
A few minutes from Nova Levante lies Lake Carezza (Karersee), one of the photographic icons of the Dolomites. Its waters, ranging from emerald green to turquoise, mirror the jagged profile of the Latemar, creating an image reproduced on countless postcards and travel features. A local legend tells of a sorcerer, rejected by a nymph of the lake, who in his anger shattered a rainbow and threw its fragments into the water, explaining the multicoloured reflections on its surface. The lake can be reached on foot via a short loop walk suitable for families, or admired from the scenic viewpoint along the main road. On clear days, especially in the early morning, the surface of the Karersee is perfectly still and produces a double reflection of the Latemar, making it one of the most sought-after subjects for photographers who visit the Val d'Ega in every season.
The UNESCO Dolomites and the legend of King Laurin
The Catinaccio and the Latemar, which enclose Nova Levante, belong to the Dolomites system inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009 for its outstanding geological and scenic value. One of the best-known legends of the Dolomites is tied to the Catinaccio: that of the dwarf king Laurin, ruler of an underground kingdom guarded by a marvellous rose garden. When the garden was discovered and trampled by men, Laurin cursed it so that no one could ever see it again, neither by day nor by night: this is why, at sunset and at dawn, the rock walls of the Catinaccio turn a deep red, a natural phenomenon known as enrosadira, caused by the refraction of light on the dolomite rock. The spectacle, visible to the naked eye from numerous viewpoints in the Val d'Ega, is considered one of the most striking moments for those staying in Nova Levante, especially on clear late-summer evenings.
Skiing in Carezza (Catinaccio-Latemar)
Nova Levante is the reference hub for the Carezza Ski area, part of the wider Catinaccio-Latemar ski system, which stretches across conifer woods and high-altitude pastures at the foot of the two Dolomite groups. The slopes, largely suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, offer a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the larger neighbouring ski areas, while still delivering striking views of the surrounding peaks. The lifts start close to the village and quickly reach the higher elevations, with runs descending all the way down to the valley floor. The area is linked to the broader network of lifts in South Tyrol and the Val di Fiemme, allowing skiers to combine a day on the Carezza slopes with trips to other nearby Dolomite ski areas, while keeping Nova Levante as a convenient logistical base for accommodation and supplies.
Hiking, nature and surroundings
Beyond skiing and Lake Carezza, Nova Levante is the starting point for an extensive network of hiking trails that climb the wooded slopes toward the Catinaccio and the Latemar, reaching alpine huts set among pastures and larch woods. Routes of varying difficulty allow both short family-friendly walks and more demanding hikes toward higher elevations, with viewpoints overlooking the entire Val d'Ega. Nearby is also the Costalunga pass, linking the valley to the Val di Fassa and the Val di Fiemme, further expanding hiking possibilities toward other corners of the Trentino Dolomites. The combination of conifer forests, rock walls and alpine lakes makes the area around Nova Levante a favoured destination for anyone seeking direct contact with Dolomite nature, in every season, from summer hiking to winter skiing.
Not to be missed
- Walk along Lake Carezza (Karersee) admiring the reflection of the Latemar
- Hike at the foot of the Catinaccio (Rosengarten) following the legend of King Laurin
- Enrosadira at sunset seen from a Val d'Ega viewpoint
- A day of skiing in the Carezza Ski area (Catinaccio-Latemar)
- Costalunga pass toward the Val di Fassa and the Val di Fiemme
To see
What to see in Nova Levante
Routes · Trovido Route
