Val di Fiemme

The beauty of Trentino, between history and nature

The Val di Fiemme is bordered by the Latemar, Pale di San Martino (UNESCO World Heritage site), the Lagorai, Monte Corno Nature Park and the Paneveggio Nature Park. On the valley floor, there are many well-looked-after and lively towns and villages, such as Cavalese and Predazzo, or Ziano di Fiemme and Carano.

In the Paneveggio Nature Park, the 'Violin Forest' consists mainly of spruces, which possess special qualities due to their slow growth and exposure to the sun; these qualities make them resonant spruces. Hence, the legendary name, which has - since the early 1600s - attracted luthiers from all over the world in search of the perfect wood for their production.

Skiing, both alpine and Nordic, is the most popular winter activity: 110 km of downhill slopes in the areaDolomiti Superski area and 150 km of slopes in the two cross-country centres. Every winter, Val di Fiemme hosts the Marcialonga, the biggest and most famous cross-country skiing competition in Italy.

There are countless trails in the forests and higher up on the ridges and peaks, such as those of the Latemar Trekking. For people who love getting about on two wheels, there are cycle paths, such as the route that crosses the valley and connects it to the Val di Fassa, or circuits, such as the Dolomiti Lagorai Bike.

One must try canyoning in the Avisio torrent, which flows through the Fiemme Valley to the nearby Cembra Valley, where it flows into a deep gorge.

The Cembra Valley is characterised by its contrasting landscape: the deep chasm carved by the Avisio is answered by terraces on sunny slopes. Here, agriculture becomes heroic and the complex system of dry-stone terracing profoundly marks the landscape. Its wines are par excellence: white wines - such as Müller Thurgau - red wines, schiava and the classic method sparkling wine, Trentodoc.

The Cembra Valley provides the backdrop for a part of the historic trail, the Dürerweg which follows Albrecht Dürer's mythical 'journey to Italy' and arrives at the rare geological phenomenon of the Pyramids of Segonzano. The origins of these earth pyramids, up to 20 metres high, date back some 20,000 years and are clearly visible, in all their wonder.

Another famous path crosses the valley, the European Path E5, which starts from the Atlantic coast (Brittany), crosses the Alps and arrives in Venice, passing through ancient villages, the ruins of Segonzano Castle, terraced vineyards and up to the Segonzano Pyramids.