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Mountains, lake, Trentino, Spa, resort, Valsugana, Levico, hotel, wellness, holiday, Italy
The Lagorai chain is the perfect gym to practice your ability of living surrounded by a mountain natural environment. Which means: long walking routes, round itineraries, steep slopes, almost no refuges to repair (you’ll have to be completely self-sufficient), several lakes by which you may camp, amazing landscapes fearing no comparison with the himalayan valleys or the wide open spaces of the North Pole, the security of being alone, plunged in an extraordinarily beautiful nature. Few other places are similar, unless you travel a long way to the most isolated areas in the world. Only a few hours away from towns, traffic and cars, the Lagorai landscape offers its amazing peculiarities to the lovers of mountain adventure.
The Lagorai chain is the perfect gym to practice your ability of living surrounded by a mountain natural environment. Which means: long walking routes, round itineraries, steep slopes, almost no refuges to repair (you’ll have to be completely self-sufficient), several lakes by which you may camp, amazing landscapes fearing no comparison with the himalayan valleys or the wide open spaces of the North Pole, the security of being alone, plunged in an extraordinarily beautiful nature. Few other places are similar, unless you travel a long way to the most isolated areas in the world. Only a few hours away from towns, traffic and cars, the Lagorai landscape offers its amazing peculiarities to the lovers of mountain adventure.
It’s a protected environment inside the Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino natural park, located at the north-eastern end of the Lagorai chain, between the Travignolo Valley starting from Predazzo (Fiemme Valley), and the Cismon Valley, where the town of San Martino di Castrozza lies.
The two natural basins, divided by the Tenna mount, help creating in this area of the valley a temperate microclimate and it is not so unusual, especially at the beginning and at the end of the winter, to find in the valley climate conditions similar to spring, but very harsh temperatures at high altitudes, like the Panarotta ridge, swept away by wind. It’s this climate diversity, very different from the neighbouring valleys, that makes the excursion on these summits very interesting. Two important excursion routes cross the area: the E5 European Route of the Excursionist Italian Federation and the Peace Route. The easy accessibility and the walking paths, as well as the beauty of the landscape and the high mountain environment clashing with the cultivated fields in the valley, allow anyone to experience a real adventure with little effort.
- Knapsack, Mounain boots and love for nature
- A variety of landscapes through paths, mountain-lakes and flowers .The biting and pure air you can breath here , let you feel as in heaven.
ITINERARY N. 1 … Wandering around Valsugana
VETRIOLO – PANAROTTA (25 Km)
Levico Terme – Compet – Vetriolo – the “baiti” road – Levico Terme
From Levico Terme take the panoramic local route n.11, with wonderful view on the valley below, and reach the hamlet of Compet first and then the town of Vetriolo (13 km), at an altitude of 1500 mt on the slopes of Mount Fronte. Vetriolo is the ideal starting point for excursions into Lagorai, one of the most interesting and fascinating mountain ranges in Trentino. From Compet, just before Vetriolo, it’s easy to reach Mount Panarotta by taking the smooth asphalt road leading to the parking place in front of the ski lift station “Panarotta 2002”. Leave your car here and walk up to Cima Esi (1832 mt), Cima Storta (1901 mt) or Mount Panarotta (2002 mt). From Vetriolo then, pass by Maso al Vetriolo Vecchio, and return to Levico Terme (25 km), driving down the “Strada dei baiti” (the mountain hut road), which winds along beautiful meadows and thick woods.
ITINERARY N. 2 … Remembering ancient traditions
VALLE DEI MOCHENI (52 Km)
Levico Terme – Pergine Valsugana – S. Orsola – Palù del Fersina – Fierozzo – Canezza – Pergine Valsugana – Levico Terme
From Levico Terme drive to Pergine Valsugana (10 km) and then to Canezza, the first village of Valle dei Mocheni: it is a suggestive alpine valley run through by stream Fersina and inhabited by people of german origins, who have preserved their original language and customs throughout the centuries. Past the hamlet of Mala you will reach the town of Sant’Orsola (20 km), a tourist resort renowned for its thermal spa with arsenical-ferruginous waters. Drive on towards Palù del Fersina (26 km), located at an altitude of 1.350 mt. It is a good starting point for beautiful walks and excursions into the Lagorai mountain range: e.g. to the alpine lake Erdemolo, to the mountain hut Sette Selle and to Sasso Rotto. Palù was an important ore district; at the beginning of 1500 several mines were operating in Palù, Fierozzo and Roveda, and were worked by German miners, called “canopi”. They mined mainly copper, silver and lead. Recently a mine has been opened up again. Palù is the seat of the Istituto Culturale Mocheno Cimbro (the Mocheno-Cimbro Cultural Institute), an institution for the linguistic and cultural safeguarding of the ethnic minorities in Valle dei Mocheni and of the Cimbrian population in Luserna. From Palù, drive down along stream Fersina and reach Fierozzo S. Felice first (30 km), located on the orographic left side of the valley, then Frassilongo (34 km). Keep driving down to Pergine Valsugana (42 km) and finally get back to Levico Terme (52 km).
What to see: the “Grua va Hardombl” mine in Palù del Fersina. Open from May to October. Guided visits only. Info and reservation: Tel. +39 0461 550053.
ITINERARY N. 3 … Driving across marvellous landscapes
ALTOPIANO DELLA VIGOLANA – ALTIPIANI DI FOLGARIA, LAVARONE, LUSERNA – ALTOPIANO DEL VEZZENA (64 Km)
Levico Terme – Calceranica – Bosentino – Passo della Fricca – Lavarone – Passo delle Vezzene – Levico Terme.
From Levico Terme drive to Calceranica (5 km), then up to Bosentino following the nice panoramic road with view on Lake Caldonazzo. The Altopiano della Vigolana opens up right after Bosentino, bounded south by the Vigolana massif (2.150 mt), and north by Mount Marzola (1.735 mt). At the junction with the Fricca provincial road, turn left, pass through Vattaro (13 km) and drive across the wooded Valle del Centa up to Passo della Fricca (1.110 mt). From here you will then reach Carbonare (27 km) and the highlands of Folgaria, Lavarone and Luserna, characterized by a typical undulating landscape where woods of conifers and beeches alternate to wide plains. This area was the scene of many battles and fights during the First World War, as it is testified by the several Austro-Hungarian forts and the war cemeteries of Slaghenaufi (near Bertoldi) and Luserna (in Costalta, precisely). At Carbonare, take the road to Folgaria (6.5 km), a well-known summer and winter tourist resort, with quite a number of ski lift stations. Right after Folgaria, drive down towards Calliano and the Valle dell’Adige, then take the fork leading to Guardia, little village on the slopes of Mount Finonchio, renowned for the murals, mainly naif, adorning the front of the houses. The painter, sculptor and poet Cirillo Grott lived and worked here; his house-studio may today be visited. Getting back to the national road n. 350, drive down to Calliano (12 km from Folgaria), past the villages of Mezzomonte di Sopra e di Sotto and Dietrobeseno. Here take the national road n. 12 leading to Trento, from where you may then return to Pergine and Levico Terme. Alternatively, from Carbonare drive to Lavarone (32 km), a summer and winter tourist resort, consisting of many little villages that bear the names of the ancient families who lived there. Lake Lavarone lies close to the hamlet of Chiesa. Nearby Cappella instead, you will find Fort Belvedere. The fort, now a museum, is worth a visit. At the fork with Monterovere, the road winds up to the right and leads to Luserna (6 km, 1.333 mt), a sort of linguistic island where local people speak the ancient Cimbrian idiom, a medieval Germanic language. Drive on from here across pastures and woods and reach Passo Vezzena (43 km), located at an altitude of 1.417 mt. The homonymous plateau opens wide with its incomparable expanse of pastures and woods, dotted by typical malgas (shepherd’s huts) for the cattle summer mountain pasture. Well-known dairy products are made locally, such as the typical “Vezzena” cheese. In winter this area is equipped with numberless cross-country skiing tracks. It offers then various possibilities of walking excursions up to Pizzo di Levico (1.908 mt) and Cima Manderiolo (2.051 mt). You may now take your way back to Levico Terme following the same route, or else return to the fork leading to Monterovere (46 km) and drive down the local road of Monterovere, also called “Menador”, or “Pegolara” or again “Kaiserjägerweg”. It is a military track dating back to the First World War. The road winds downhill and is at spots very narrow and steep, built vertically on the rock. This route is therefore not advisable to those suffering from dizzy spells. The road will take you to Caldonazzo (61 km) and then finally back to Levico Terme (64 km).
What to see:
- Lavarone, Forte Gschwent – Belvedere Museum. Open from Easter to the end of September, from 9 am to 6 pm. Closed on Mondays except in July and August. Info: Lavarone Tourist Office, tel. +39 0464 783226.
- Luserna, Istituto Culturale Mocheno Cimbro (Mocheno-Cimbro Cultural Institute).
Info: tel. +39 0464 789645.
ITINERARY N.4 … Driving across the history and the secrets of the plain
VALLE DEL TESINO (79 km)
Levico Terme – Roncegno – Borgo Valsugana – Strigno – Pieve Tesino – Grigno – Levico Terme.
From Levico Terme follow the Valsugana national road n. 47 to Borgo Valsugana (15 km), the chief town of Bassa Valsugana (Lower Valsugana), run through by river Brenta and dominated by Castle Telvana. In Agnedo take the fork to Strigno (23 km), drive past the town of Ivano Fracena and its Castle Ivano, a medieval private castle, venue of scientific congresses, exhibitions and events. After the hamlet of Bieno you will reach the green Valle del Tesino, a magnificent landscape with the towns of Pieve Tesino (33 km), hometown of the statesman Alcide Degasperi, and then Castel Tesino (37 km), with ist wonderful view on the entire valley. Nearby are the famous caves, open all year round, stretching for about 600 mt., with impressive calcareous concretions and siphon lakes. From Castel Tesino you may drive on to Passo del Brocon (1.616 mt) and then to the Valle del Vanoi and to the areas of Primiero and S. Martino di Castrozza. Or else get to the town of Grigno (47 km) and back to Levico Terme, following the Valsugana national road n.47 (79 km).
What to see:
- Castel Tesino, the Caves. Guided visits only. Info: Lagorai Tourist Board, tel. +39 0461 593322
- Ivano Fracena, Castle Ivano. Summer opening for exhibitions. Info: tel. +39 0461 763432.
ITINERARY N.5 … Driving across valleys and ancient villages
VAL CALAMENTO – PASSO MANGHEN – ALTOPIANO DI PINE’ (106 km)
Levico Terme – Borgo Valsugana – Telve di Sopra – Passo Manghen – Molina di Fiemme – Sover –Altopiano di Pinè – Montagnaga – Pergine Valsugana – Levico Terme.
From Levico Terme take the Valsugana national road n. 47 to Borgo Valsugana (15 km) and then Telve di Sopra (19 km), from where you enter the Val Calamento, run through by a stream called Maso. It’s a beautiful valley rich in meadows, woods and pastures, dotted with huts and typical malgas. Starting point for many excursions into the Lagorai mountain range. The road leads then to Passo del Manghen (35 km), at an altitude of 2.047 mt. From the pass, connecting Valsugana to Valle di Fiemme, enjoy the wonderful view over the Val Cadino and the surrounding mountains. Driving up the Val Calamento, you will reach on the left the Val Musiera, a green plateau with great view over the Valsugana. From the pass, drive across the Val Cadino down to Molina di Fiemme (52 km). Then carry on along the shores of the artificial basin of Lake Stramentizzo until you reach the village called Sover (66 km). Right after the village, turn left at the junction leading to the Altopiano di Piné. Pass through the hamlets of Brusago and Bedollo and drive past Lake Piazze. You are now in Baselga di Pinè (82 km), a summer and winter tourist resort, located at an altitude of 1.000 mt, with an ice rink where international skating competitions are held. The Altopiano di Piné, with its two lakes Serraia and Piazze, widens out into the valley run through by streams Sila and Nero. Lake Serraia is provided with an equipped bathing establishment. The entire plateau is crossed by wide wooded expanses. From Baselga drive further on, down to Montagnaga (87 km), with its famous sanctuary of the Madonna del Caravaggio, better known as Madonna di Pinè, built in 1729, after the Virgin had appeared to a local little shepherd girl. Just outside Montagnaga there is a small uphill road on the right, which has a little surprise in store: place your car at the foot of the slope, put in neutral and… see what happens! Driving further downhill, you will cross the little villages of Canzolino and Madrano, each with its own small lake bearing the same name, until you finally reach Pergine Valsugana (96 km) and then again Levico Terme (106 km).
ITINERARY N. 6 … Driving along Upper Valsugana
VAL CAMPELLE
Levico Terme – Borgo Valsugana – Strigno – Rifugio Carlettini – Levico Terme.
From Levico drive along the Valsugana national road n.47 to Borgo Valsugana (15 km) and then Strigno (23 km). From here take the road leading to the Val Campelle up to Rifugio Carlettini (32 km), located at an altitude of 1.370 mt. The stream Maso runs through this valley and through the Val Calamento, as mentioned above. Beautiful walking routes, well-marked by the S.A.T. (Trentino Alpinist Society), lead to the Valcaldenave, Valle dell’Inferno (Hell Valley), Passo delle 5 Croci (5 Crosses Pass), Rifugio Cima d’Asta (2.443 mt), Lake Stellune and to the Lagorai Peak (2.573 mt). Return to Levico driving back along the same route (64 km).
ITINERARY N.7 … Driving across green and luxuriant landscapes
VAL DI SELLA (50 Km)
Levico Terme – Borgo Valsugana – Olle – Val di Sella – Levico Terme.
From Levico Terme follow the Valsugana national road n.47 to Borgo Valsugana (15 km) and then to the hamlet called Olle (17 km). Here the road winds up across the Val di Sella (25 km), run through by a stream called Moggio. The valley widens out in green meadows and woods, dotted by very few houses, like Villa Romani, where Alcide De Gasperi loved spending his holidays and where he died on August 9th, 1954. The road ends at Malga Costa (990 mt). From the hamlet of Montagnola enjoy the beautiful view over the Armentera, the Cima Dodici (Peak Twelve) and the Valsugana, with its two lakes Caldonazzo and Levico. Drive back to Levico Terme along the same route (50 km).
What to see:
- Val di Sella, “Arte Sella”. A biennial international exhibition of contemporary art, taking place in the open: meadows, woods and streambeds; all works are made out from natural materials and remain on the spot permanently, until, time after time, nature reabsorbs them.
ITINERARY N.8 … “Pyramids” and mountain lakes.
VAL DI CEMBRA (111 km)
Levico Terme – Pergine Valsugana – Civezzano – Lases –Segonzano’s Pyramids – Sover – Stramentizzo – Faver – Lases – Albiano – Santa Colomba – Civezzano – Pergine Valsugana – Levico Terme.
From Pergine Valsugana reach the fork leading to the Valle dei Mocheni (4 km) and turn right to Civezzano (7 km), where you may stop for a visit at the Chiesa dell’Assunta (Church of the Assumption), one of the most beautiful monuments of Gothic-Renaissance style in Trentino. Carry on then past the little village of Torchio to Lake Lases (16 km). The entire area is rich in porphiry quarries, mined in great quantity and exported all over the world. Keep driving up to Sevignano (20 km). Enjoy the wonderful view over the valley, crossed by river Avisio, and its vineyard terrace-cultivations. This valley, whose chieftown is Cembra, has very ancient origins, as testified by the discovery of prehistorian and roman relics. It also is an important winegrowing area. Its excellent grappa is especially valuable and is distilled according to ancient methods, which are handed on from generation to generation. Follow your route to Segonzano (24 km) where you may see on the right the famous earth pyramids, the so-called “omeni di Segonzano” (Segonzano men), an interesting phenomenon due to water erosion. These pyramids may even reach 20 mt of height, and some of them culminate in enormous porphyry rocks. From Segonzano drive on to Sover (33 km) and further on to Stramentizzo (46 km), after crossing the bridge over an artificial basin. The road goes now downhill along the right side of the valley, with wonderful view over the terrace-cultivations. It crosses the typical local villages of Grauno, Grumes and Faver (71 km). Turn left at the fork indicating Piazzo and cross the stream Avisio to the other side of the valley. Nearby are the ruins of Segonzano’s Castle, portrayed in one of Albrecht Dürer’s watercolor paintings. Drive then further on to Sevignano (76 km) and carry on to little Lake Lases (80 km). At the fork, take the road on the right, leading to Albiano (82 km), from where you may reach Lake Santa Colomba. The lake is located at 900 mt of altitude and is surrounded by woods and grassy clearings: it is an ideal starting point for easy walks. Take your car and drive past the village of S. Agnese, down to Civezzano (94 km), then Pergine Valsugana and finally back to Levico Terme (111 km).
ITINERARY N.9 … the Great Dolomites
VALLE DI FIEMME AND VALLE DI FASSA (241 Km)
Levico Terme – Pergine Valsugana – Sover – Molina – Cavalese – Moena – Passo Sella – Val Gardena – Bolzano – Trento – Pergine Valsugana – Levico Terme
From Levico Terme follow the itinerary n.8 until you arrive at Segonzano (34 km), then carry on to Sover (43 km), drive along the artificial basin of Stramentizzo until you finally reach Molina di Fiemme (57 km) and then Cavalese (64 km), chieftown of the Fiemme Valley. It is located at 996 mt of altitude and is a famous summer and winter tourist resort. Take a look at the valuable Palace of the Magnifica Comunità (XVI century), then the “Banco de la Resòn”, a peculiar stone table around which important decisions were taken, and the church of the Assumption (15th – 17th centuries). Driving across Tesero, Panchià and Ziano you will first get to Predazzo (77 km) and then to Moena (86 km), a well-known Fassa tourist resort thanks to its summer season activities and winter sports facilities. Located at 1.184 mt of altitude, it lies in a wide valley, crossed by river Avisio and surrounded by the Dolomite mountain groups of Catinaccio, Latemar, Sassolungo and Monzoni. Moena is the first big ladin town in the Dolomites. Carry on and turn left at the junction leading to Vigo di Fassa (94 km); drive up to Passo di Costalunga (104 km), located at an altitude of 1.573 mt., and then further on to the suggestive Lake Carezza. Keep driving along the Val d’Ega, passing through Nova Levante (113 km) and Ponte Nova (118 km). Here take the road on the left, drive up to Passo di Lavazè (131 km) and then down again to Cavalese (141 km). From here cross Passo S.Lugano (149 km) to reach the town of Ora, that lies in the Valle dell’Adige (164 km). From Ora take the Brennero national road n.12 until you reach Trento (204 km) and further on Pergine Valsugana and Levico Terme (215 km). Alternatively, from Vigo di Fassa drive on towards Canazei (102 km). Located at 1465 mt of altitude, it is an ideal starting point for excursions and climbs in the Dolomites. Canazei lies at the foot of the Marmolada, the so-called “Queen of the Dolomites”: it is the highest mountain in the Eastern Alps (3.343 mt). Canazei is a good starting point for the popular “tour of the 4 passes” around the Sella massif: the route goes through Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo, Passo Gardena and Passo Sella. 55 km in all. From Canazei drive up to Passo Sella (km.113), located at an altitude of 2244 mt. It connects the Valle di Fassa to the Val Gardena (South Tyrol) offering an incomparable view over the Dolomites. From the pass, drive along the Val Gardena, down across Selva, S.Cristina, Ortisei (125 km), until you reach Bolzano (161 km). From Bolzano carry on towards Trento (219 km) and finally get back to the starting point: Levico Terme (241 km).
What to see:
- Cavalese, the Museum and picture-gallery of the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme.
Info: tel.+39 0462 340365
- Predazzo, the Civic Museum “Geology and Ethnography”
Info: tel. +39 0462 502392
- Vigo di Fassa, the Ladin Cultural Institute “ Majon de Fashegn”
Info: tel. +39 0462 764267
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