A trip to Borgo Valsugana, on the banks of the Brenta river
A two-day itinerary to discover the Valsugana valley
- 2 days
- March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Art and Culture, Taste, Great War
In the background you see the impressive Lagorai mountain range, while the Brenta river flows at your feet, dividing the village in two: you’re in Borgo Valsugana, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, and the only village in Trentino extending along both banks of the Brenta river.
If you wish to treat yourself to a slow-paced weekend, enjoying the outdoors, countryside walks and amazing works of art, then this village is a must! Find out more by reading our tips to help you get the most out of our two-day itinerary in Trentino, which is perfect in spring or summer. Using this village as your base you’ll expore the Valsugana, the first destination in Italy to achieve sustainable tourism certification.
Day one, morning: a walk around Arte Sella
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Straight after dropping off your bags, or even before you get to Borgo Valsugana, we suggest you stop at Arte Sella, which is about twenty or thirty minutes by car from the town. It’s difficult to put into words what Arte Sella is: officially, it’s a “thirty-year creative process”. If we had to describe it more simply, we’d call it a stunning open-air gallery of contemporary art. Works in wood, rock, branches and stones, created by international artists, which blend organically with the landscape that hosts them.
It’s an emotional place – one we’re sure you’ll want to return to during your next trips to Trentino! The exhibition itinerary is spread across two different sites: the garden of Villa Strobele and the Malga Costa mountain hut area, where most of the works are located, including the famous Cattedrale Vegetale. A 45-minute walk amid art and nature that should absolutely not be missed.
After this beautiful walk, you can stop for lunch at Dall'Ersilia, a charming bistrò located at the entrance to the exhibition itinerary, offering a warm welcome beneath the cool shade of a natural arch made of willow trees. The perfect venue for outdoor dining in good weather.
Day one, afternoon: discovering Borgo
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After lunch, it's time to discover Borgo Valsugana! Our first recommendation is to take a stroll along Corso Ausugum, the town’s main street, adorned with portals, late Renaissance and Baroque palaces, shops and churches. From here, you can reach the former Spagolla mill and visit the Permanent Exhibition of the Great War in Valsugana.
After visiting the museum, the next stop on your two-day itinerary in Valsugana takes you a little higher up, to reach Castel Telvana, the fortress that dominates Borgo Valsugana. You can get there on foot in about half an hour from the village by following the “Path of the Castles” trail.
After all this walking, you deserve a well-earned hearty dinner! We recommend two places: the Al Legno Inn and the Coronata Haus. Our first recommendation is a traditional restaurant which also offers overnight accommodation. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the village, back along the road that leads to Arte Sella.
If you’d prefer to stay close to the village, a ten-minute drive will get you to the Coronata Haus Bistrò, a welcoming, cosy restaurant (only 5 tables) with fir-tree panelled dining room. Here you can sample mountain cuisine with seafood and exotic twists created by Chef Tommaso Montibeller.
Day two, morning: a walk or bike ride
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At breakfast, you’ll have time to study our three suggestions for the morning: two walks and one bike ride.
The first of these is a walk to the historic site of La Rocchetta, a strategic lookout post during the Great War. The walk starts a few minutes' drive from Borgo. From there, you can continue on foot to reach a beautiful terrace with a panoramic view of Borgo and the whole valley.
The second option is the walk in the “Palude di Roncegno” Biotope: it takes about an hour and can also be enjoyed by people with reduced mobility, the blind and visually impaired.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a bike ride, don’t forget that the famous Valsugana Cycle Path passes right through Borgo, an 80-km route connecting Lake Caldonazzo to Bassano del Grappa. Don't have your bike with you? No problem! In Borgo you’ll find numerous rental points where you can hire both manual and e-bikes.
Day two, afternoon: Lake Caldonazzo
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Before leaving Trentino, round off your two-day itinerary in Valsugana in fine style by visiting Lake Caldonazzo to enjoy an ice cream and a stroll along the lakeside. On weekends in good weather, this is a fun destination that’s teeming with life.
If you’ve packed your bathing costume, you can even have a swim as early as May, as its location (450 metres above sea level) means Lake Caldonazzo is one of the warmest in Southern Europe. While strolling its shores you’ll come across meadows, public beaches and bars: everything you need for an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon!