Descrizione:

This path is part of the Vie WWOOF initiative taking you from the station in Rovereto to the organic hill farm of ‘La Fonte’ in Mezzomonte (www.la-fonte.org). The farm situated at 750 m above sea level in a quiet and isolated spot with vegetable garden, black currants, milk sheep, goats a cow and donkeys. Herbs are cultivated and made into infusions and they also sell Gemmoderivati, & Bach flower preparations at markets. There is a water recycling system (reed bed), renewable energy is used where possible and the farm also works to teach local children about food and the environment. From Rovereto the path quickly leaves the town behind and passes through the vineyards of the rich valley floor offering beautiful views up to the surrounding mountains. Passing two medieval castles the path winds up a beautiful Oak wooded valley following a clear mountain stream to the mountains.

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Start your walk with your back to the station, cross the road and head directly up the main road towards Piazza Rosmini.

If you need any snacks for your walk there is a supermarket in a few minutes on the right hand side, or stop in at ‘La Torreta Break’ which is on the left hand side of the road, just before Piazza Rosmini for a slice of great pizza. This route does not allow you to see much of the town, but if you have time before starting your walk you might like to visit the medieval Castle, the War Museum or the Museum of Modern Art (MART). Rovereto is also known as the ‘town of peace’ because of Maria Dolens (“the grieving Virgin Mary”) which houses  the second largest ringing bell in the world which is rung everyday to commemorate the fallen in all wars.

You will arrive to Piazza Rosmini in about 10 minutes. Take the road up hill to the left of the red palace (Viale di Colli). Shortly after number 16 turn left up the stairs. Walk up the stairs, cross a main road and continue up the steps to the top. At the top of the stairs, turn right. When you see the large school on your right, turn left onto Via Vallunga. Walk along this road and when it forks at a stone cross take the left hand road.

If you look behind you, you will see the town below and away to the left on a rocky outcrop a domed building which is a memorial to the first world war. Behind the impressive mountain range and out of sight is Lake Garda.

When you reach a roundabout and parking area take the road going to the right and in a few moments turn left onto the smaller tarmac road when the road arrives at the beginning of the woodland and vineyards.

Keep walking along this road through the vines until you reach a main road. Cross the road and turn right onto the footpath marked “Comune di Volano Sentiero”. After about 50 metres (before the bridge) take the small path to your left, walk under the pylons, and pass an old shed on your right. Join back with the tarmac road and turn right downhill. After you pass the derelict grain store take the first right turn off the road to go back through the vines.

From here if you look straight up to the mountains in front of you, you will see a collection of 5 antennae on the skyline. This is Monte Finocchio – when you finish your walk you will  be looking back up at these from the other side!

When you reach a T junction in the road turn right. Follow the road as it curves back round to the left and you will pass an old farm building with a round window on your left. Stay on the road, keeping the wooded hillside rising immediately to your right, and vines sloping down to your left.

You will pass under some small pylons and see a bench to your right. Looking up the valley as you walk along you will see the villages of Calliano and Besenello, as you turn the bend two castles will come into view; Castle Pietra (the lower one) and Castle Beseno (perched higher up on a steep sided hill). Due to its strategic position over the Adige Valley, Beseno was the scene of major battles, such as the famous battle of Calliano in 1847, fought between the Army of the Republic of Venice and the Tyrolean troops. The castle has been nicely restored and is well worth a visit if you have the time.

When you reach a T junction, turn right. Shortly after this take the left fork in the road at the aquaduct following the wooden sign for “Percorso Dell’Arte”. In a few minutes you will see a small memorial stone on the left and a footpath to the right. Turn right off the road following the footpath marked “Percorso Dell’Arte” and “Colonia”. Start climbing up the hill into the woods along the rough stone track. Though you may hear the main road down to your left you should still be able to enjoy much birdsong amongst the Beech, Oak and Birch trees.

At the fork in the path with a signpost marked for Colonia, turn left taking the smaller path to join the tarmac road. Turn left on the tarmac road and walk downhill. After about 5 minutes you will reach a sharp bend in the road, turn right off the road and onto the forest path. In about 20 metres there will be a small junction (a footpath on the right, a small animal track straight ahead, and the main path curving to the left). Follow the path around to the left.

When you hear a small stream you will see some wooden stairs leading up to your right. If you want a break go up the stairs and you will find a picnic bench, if you’re not tired carry straight on along the footpath.

After a few minutes you will come back to the vines at the edge of the woodland, follow the sign to the right marked “Castel Pietra”. In about 10 minutes you will reach the beginning of a rocky outcrop with many large boulders strewn across the hillside. Keep following the path along and you will reach a fork in the road. Straight ahead peeking through the trees you will see Castel Pietra (The castle is private property but can be visited by appointment www.castelpietra.info).

Take the path to the right signposted for “Castel Beseno” which will eventually take you to the base of the sheer cliffs. Follow signs for “Castel Beseno” until you arrive at a T junction with a signpost giving you two options towards the Castle. Turn right following the sign for “Castel Beseno, PASSERELLA” and follow along with the river to your left. The clear cool water of the river makes it a tempting place to stop and paddle your toes on a hot day.

The path starts to wind up the valley through the woodland and if you look up to your left through the trees you will be able to see Castle Beseno perched on its outcrop. At the fork in the path take turn right following the signs for “Castel Beseno” and “Percorso Dell’Arte”. Shortly you will reach another fork in the road, for La Fonte you should continue up the valley taking the small animal track to the right.

If you would like to visit the Castle turn left down the hill following the signs, crossing the river by the house and following the track up to the main road. At the road, cross over and follow the small road up towards the group of buildings at the base of the castle hill- add 30-40 minutes each way to walk to the Castle and another hour or two to walk around and enjoy a beer and a snack in the castle courtyards or something more substantial at the restaurant outside the walls. For more information visit http://www.buonconsiglio.it/index.php/it/Castel-Beseno

Follow along the small animal track through the woodland, when you meet another small track cross over and keep walking straight. At the T junction with the old road, turn right up the hill where you will meet an immediate fork in the road. Take the left hand road up the hill (there is a small wooden signpost with a picture of a castle turret and trees which is part of the ‘Sentiero del Catello alle montagne’).

Further up the hill you will encounter a small split in the road, you can go either way as they rejoin each other in a few meters. However, at the next split in the road turn right following signs for “Folgaria” and “Guardia”.

If you know anything about foraging for mushrooms the quiet woodlands offer an amazing variety of edible treats. Polenta with fresh mushrooms is a delicious local speciality, but if you are not 100% certain what you are picking better to leave it to a local and just enjoy the scenery.

Shortly after passing the water storage ‘Rozette Basse’ you will see a small fork in the road, turn left down the slope and cross the small stream and when you meet another track turn right. At the next road turn left slightly down hill, the woodland will open up giving you a view down the valley and you”ll reach the small hamlet of Ondertal. Walk straight on through Ondertal following a signpost to “Mezzomonte di Sotto”.

When you pass the view point on the side of the road by a Votive, look across the valley and you will see the church at Mezzomonte, if you have very sharp eyes you will also be able to see the roof of the farmhouse slightly to the right of the church and halfway up the slope towards the next obvious group of houses.

Keep following the tarmac road as it drops down through the woodland, in about 5 minutes the road will zig-zag sharply before crossing a river with a signpost for “Molino Nuovo/Forreri/Guardia”. Cross the river and stay on the road as it curves back along the other side of the valley.

If it is a hot day you may want to take a short detour from the path here, turning right along the river at the bench just after you have crossed the bridge. A bit of scrambling over the rocky path will take you to a small pool in the river – perfect for a refreshing plunge!

Stay on the tarmac road ignoring the footpath signed off to the right for Molino Nuovo. It’s a quiet road and you probably won’t meet any cars. After crossing another river you will come to the first houses of Mezzomonte Di Sotto – walk on until you meet the main road after number 19 and 20. Go up the hill and immediately turn right, away from the main road by the fountain. Head up the hill and after about 20 meters you will see a steep path on the left hand side with shallow steps. Go up the steps to the left side of a white house. Follow the path up the hill until you reach the next set of houses and the main road.

If all the walking uphill has left you a bit hungry and thirsty, look to your right. About 50 meters along the road by the church there is the excellent family run “Ristorante Rosspach” which serves delicious fresh pizzas, great coffee and Tiramisu to die for…

To continue on to the farm, cross the road and head up the stairs on the opposite side. Turn left at the top of the steps and after 5 meters take the immediate right up the hill to rejoin the main road. Cross the road and turn right onto the grassy track by the Votive. Head up the track passing a small white house to your right and follow the old road as it curves up the hill. After passing a stone house built into the tall stone wall, the path will curve around to the right in the woodland and meet another forest track on a T junction. Turn left up the hill, you’ll hear a small stream (the source of which is nearby up the hill and from which the farm takes its name). After crossing the stream about 35 metres up the hill you will see another small wooden sign with a picture of the castle and trees, just after this on the left hand side is a pile of stones by a small grassy track. Follow the track for about 100m and you will arrive to the back of the farmhouse where you will certainly be greeted with a warm welcome and maybe a lick from one of the three farm dogs!