Where to admire the fall foliage
12 trails to view the changing colours of the woods
Yellow, orange, red and gold: autumn is the very moment when nature transforms, shedding its vibrant shades of green for warmer, fierier hues, like those of the larch, beech and birch trees. In Trentino, you can admire this phenomenal foliage in every colour imaginable.
Pull on your trekking shoes, pick out one of the walks suggested below, and don’t forget to bring your camera: you’ll definitely want to capture an eternal memory of this extraordinary spectacle, autumn’s great gift to us.
Among the chestnut trees of Brentonico
This is a walk that’s truly accessible to all, starting from Santa Caterina and lasting just over half an hour. You’ll start off along a road that offers a stunning panoramic view of Vallagarina, before meandering through the well-tended fields and centuries-old chestnut woods of Castione, a medieval hamlet in the municipality of Brentonico. In October, we recommend visiting the famous local chestnut fair, or Festa dei Marroni.
To the 'Piz delle Agole' and the little church of S. Leonardo
Easy loop trail through colorful deciduous forests. From Piz delle Agole, you can admire the entire Val di Cembra, while along the trail, you can observe the characteristic porphyry and wooden huts. The panoramic view of the Brenta group and a visit to the small church of San Leonardo are also worthwhile.
At the San Pietro mountain hut
This is a somewhat more challenging trail, not least in terms of its duration: it is a 4-hour return journey. Set out from Canale di Tenno, one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval villages, to admire the foliage from the natural terrace of the San Pietro mountain hut, a beloved destination thanks to its accessibility, excellent food, and breath-taking panoramic view of Lake Garda.
In Val di Fumo
This vast glacial valley, surrounded by woods and rock walls, lies to the far west of Trentino. Here, in autumn, the larch trees take on a yellow colour that stands out boldly against the blue skies. We recommend being at the Val di Fumo lodge at around 9 in the morning to admire them as the sunlight caresses the treetops. A must-see for lovers of fall foliage!.
At the Forra del Lupo
A mixture of trekking and history, amid the mountains of Alpe Cimbra. This loop route, lasting almost three hours, leads you between high rock walls into “the Wolf Gorge”, where Austro-Hungarian soldiers dug trenches and deep shelters during the Great War. Your efforts will be richly rewarded with an incomparable view of the upper Terragnolo Valley and the imposing Pasubio massif.
At the Saent Falls
A loop route in the heart of Val di Sole leads you to the foot of this thunderous waterfall created by the Rabbies river. The trail, set within the Stelvio National Park, gives you the chance to admire the colouring of the larch needles in autumn, when they become an orange so vivid as to be almost surreal. The unique contrast with the clear skies above is typical of September days here.
On the shores of Lake Tovel
In the seventies, this lake used to turn red in colour because the unique properties of a certain algae. Today, it still offers a delightful charm and is at the height of its glory in autumn. This walk along its shores is the perfect opportunity to relax, listening to the lapping of the waves that break on small, ivory-coloured beaches.
Poit - Cordognè - San Giovanni tour
Poit - Cordogne - San Giovanni Loop
Easy 5 km loop, which can be covered in about 2 and a half hours, highly recommended during the foliage period, when the presence of numerous beech trees offers a real explosion of autumn colours and shades. It is a medium-height thematic trail suitable for everyone, built in the woods and meadows overlooking the village of Mezzano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Reflections of nature at Lake San Pellegrino
Easy loop trail along the perimeter of the path around the lake, enhanced with wooden sculptures, bridges, and walkways. In its waters, depending on the light and shadows cast by the sun's journey, you can see the reflected crests of Costabella and Col Margherita, Cima di Juribrutto, and even Cima d'Uomo in a colorful mirror.
The Panoramic Terrace
An easy walk that will suit the whole family, through the beech woods around Fai della Paganella. The destination? The Panoramic Terrace in Fai, which is just over twenty minutes on foot from the village. From here you can set off on other trails... or just linger and enjoy the views over the Adige Valley.
Santa Brigida and Chestnut Walk
An easy walk that starts from the square of Roncegno Terme and leads to the precious little church of Santa Brigida (1533), adorned with frescoes and vault decorations. From here the path climbs the hills of Roncegno, whose slopes are dotted with many farmsteads and covered in hundreds of large chestnut trees that yield fruits celebrated in a well-know local autumn festival.
Vallesinella Waterfalls - Val Brenta
Medium-easy walk at low altitude passing by the Vallesinella waterfalls. The Val Brenta is surrounded by the most famous peaks of the Brenta Group: to the southwest, Crozzon di Val d'Agola, Crozzon di Brenta, Cima Tosa, Cima Margherita; to the east, Brenta Alta and the Sfulmini Chain; to the north, Cima Mandron and the Punte di Campiglio. Take some time to admire the "Forra Path" that runs along the Sarca River and the natural canyon it forms.
