A balcony overlooking Trento. This excursion combines breathtaking views, nature, ancient and contemporary art. Start at Piazza Dante, near the Adige river bank, by the interesting church of S. Lorenzo, built in the 12th century by Benedictine monks. Today, the church is curiously below ground level, due to the numerous floods that, over the centuries, have deposited alluvial soil raising the surrounding ground level. Beyond the railway overpass is the cableway station, right on the bank of the river. This cableway is 1,200 metres long, with an altitude change of almost 400 m, and is one of the oldest in Europe, having been opened in 1924. After having ascended the slope of Monte Bondone, you reach the upper station of Sardagna: this is a great observation point overlooking the city and the Adige Valley, the second longest river in Italy. Descending to the southern edge of the town, you will find the isolated church of SS. Filippo e Giacomo, built in the 11th century and containing important 16th century frescoes by Fogolino. Nearby is the great waterfall, 174 m tall, which is visible from the centre of Trento. Tracing your steps back to the town, you can admire the interesting Villa Rizzi, now housing an educational establishment, and the 18th century parish church. Passing through the town centre you will notice some modern and interesting mural paintings, depicting local country life between the 19th and 20th centuries. Following the signs, you climb up towards the mountain, on the left, in the southern part of the town. This is where the Sentiero dei Castagni – Chestnut Trail – begins (signposted), an unpaved circular route offering some spectacular views and returning back to the town. You can climb up the steep wooded sides of Monte Bondone, cutting through some old and more recent chestnut woods, from which the appreciated Sardagna “marrons” come, where even the monumental centuries-old trees have a story to tell. 

Discover all the urban trekking itineraries in Trento and surroundings.