Trip Duration: Full Day ⛰️ Difficulty Level: Easy & Buggy-Friendly 🚸 Trip Date: August 2025
It was only few minutes into the trail when I realised that we actually made it 😊 everything I’ve been dreaming about for the past few months was right there: fresh mountain air, sharpe mountain peaks above the emerald green forests, and sunshine ☀️
The pressure of the packing and driving had started to wear off slowly with every step we took.
Easy Family Adventures at Monte Baranci: Play, Trail, Drone Views & More!
Nestled just above the charming town of San Candido (Innichen), Monte Baranci in the Italian Dolomites is the ultimate family-friendly mountain escape—perfect for families traveling with kids of all ages. This special destination makes memorable adventures look effortlessly fun. Here’s why it captured our hearts (and will yours too).
Getting There and Parking
We drove there and parked in their enormous car park (can accommodate hundreds of cars). Once opened the boot a car park attendant saw us contemplating which buggy to take up onto the mountain. He quickly pointed out that no matter the size, the chairlift will take it up. So we opted in to the double trailer for our younger passengers. With the nap time secured, everyone else could have an all-day fun.
The place is also comfortably accessible with train. The train station is just a few minutes walk from the chairlift. There are also local bus services. This destination is a huge ski paradise in the winter season with a well established infrastructure to accommodate sport enthusiasts.
Chairlift to Play Paradise
In less then 10 minutes the four-seater chairlift brought up to our destination. Along the way, we saw some brave souls whooshing downhill with the funBob. We spotted some happy cows grazing and running across the rolling the hills. Hikers and bikers taking on the mountain on various trails. And the best view of the Dolomites mountain range.
The Realm of the Giant Haunold / Gigante Baranci
Once we arrived, our little explorers raced toward the mountain playground, including the whimsical Giant’s Realm—a 2 km circular trail dotted with 10 interactive stations that bring fairy-tale elements to life.
I recommend starting on the trail, where you can explore lost items of the legendary Giant Hanuld. One messy giant who kept the locals and their animals in fear. The trail is suitable for buggies, however make sure you are fit to push it up the gravel path.
According to the signs it takes about 60 minutes to walk around the loop. We took a good 2.5 – 3 hours. We took on the pace of our 19 months old, who insisted to walk majority of the trail by himself. We took plenty of snack and craft breaks with the kids.
Once we found all the things the giant lost, we re-fuelled our bodies and headed straight to the bearfoot lakes to cool down a bit. We spent over and hour to there, letting the kids splash in the shallow ponds filled with water of fresh mountain streams.
Woodland Trail to San Candido
Another buggy friendly path starts from the giant’s footprint ponds downhill. It is 2.9 km trail with an elevation of 325 m. It is proclaimed buggy friendly again, due to its surface. However I would not recommend for heavy or double buggies. We took our trailer down the path as both littles ones were napping. But it was a struggle to control the buggy on this descent. Our knees were burning with pain by the time we got back to the car park. So, think twice and take a rest.
Thrill of the Funbob (Coming Soon)
Stay tuned—for the next part of this adventure! In Part 2 launching next Wednesday, we’ll take on the thrilling Funbob alpine coaster—South Tyrol’s longest summer toboggan run.
The Village of San Candido / Innichen
Once back down at the car park, we drove around the village to capture its charm in the video below.
Why Monte Baranci Is a Bucket-List Family Destination
- All-ages friendly: From toddlers to teens, activities like the interactive trail, playgrounds, and toboggan appeal across ages.
- Packed with variety: Adventure, nature, play, gentle slopes, and storytelling—all in one accessible day trip.
- Spread out everything: Plenty of space for kids to explore while parents soak in the panoramic alpine views.
- No stress, all fun: Easy chairlift access and safe descent paths make this a low-hassle mountain day.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a family seeking easy yet enriching mountain fun, Monte Baranci offers the best of the Dolomites without the heavy lifting. Your video beautifully showcases how effortlessly kids can be kept entertained—from imaginative trails and playgrounds to sweeping aerial views. And Part 2? I can’t wait to see the Family Funbob in action!
Expat Mom Journal 