The route starts next to the bridge of San Lazzaro, a lovely village with a prestigious Medieval Church overlooking the Avisio stream, where it comes out of the rocky gorge. Climb up the steep stairway so you can admire the beautiful river landscape towards Lavis with its unique hanging garden called Ciuciòi. The sound of the water accompanies you as you go to the right up to Camparta Bassa and Media; then turn left up to Gazzadina along the Val dei Molinari, which was once full of windmills. At the intersection with the highway, go down to the right for 50 m at the base of the mount where you can see the bell tower of the Church of San Martino. Then turn left and immediately right in the direction of Meano (on the right there are signs for the Church) on the ancient Claudia Augusta Altinate, a Roman military road which connected the Adriatic Sea to the Danube River crossing over the Alps. After passing a stretch of road carved out of the live rock, you finally reach Meano, a typical Trentine town where there used to be a lot of mining activity. Resting among large vineyard terraces suspended over the Adige Valley, Meano offers a stupendous view of Paganella and Monte Bondone. From the central Chiesa dell’Assunta, you continue on apaved road to the village of Gardolo di Mezzo, an interesting archaeological site dominated by the cone-shaped relief called Doss della Purga. Go down towards the valley on a paved road, in an area of prestigious wineries. Shortly thereafter, on the left, take the steep, picturesque Via Crucis (chapel and cross made of white stone dating back to 1727), sign of ancient popular devotion, and then it is a short way to Gardolo. 

Discover all the urban trekking itineraries in Trento and surroundings.