Valsugana, what to see: 10 places to visit

Valsugana, Trentino is an ancient valley full of history and natural beauty. It is the ideal place for those who love nature and relaxation. It extends along the Brenta River, and has a landscape that is home to nature trails, forests, hills and mountain ridges. The valley is also known for its lakes, particularly Lake Caldonazzo and Lake Levico, where it is possible to enjoy water sports in their crystal-clear waters, relax on the beaches, or explore the trails that surround them. Valsugana is also a place of ancient history. Among the peaks of its mountains you can find Pergine Castle and Telvana Castle, which dominate the valley and bear witness to ancient stories and battles. The area is also littered with traces of World War I, with striking fortresses such as Fort Busa Granda. In addition to this, the valley features nature trails in the green, several hiking trails that lead to picture-perfect views such as the Saltoni del Zengelo and Forcella Magna. The Valsugana is also known for the Saddle Art contemporary art park, an appointment with art in an open-air museum that houses works by various contemporary and international artists. For this reason, we have selected ten places to visit at least once in Valsugana. Here are what they are.

1. Lake Caldonazzo

Lake Caldonazzo is an ideal retreat for those seeking relaxation surrounded by nature. With beaches with surveillance service and fully equipped bathing establishments, it is the largest basin located in Trentino. The lake offers the opportunity to practice water sports and take relaxing walks along the shore or among the mountains. It is a perfect place to enjoy carefree moments with family, friends or companions.

2. The Tesino Arboretum.

Nicknamed the Garden of Europe, theArboretum of Tesino, a park located in Pieve Tesino, has a numerous variety of flowers, which reach their maximum splendor in spring, when the bloom fills the entire area. The trail consists of forests with exotic plants from different parts of the world and flower meadows. To whom is this location recommended? The trail is perfect for those seeking a day of tranquility in the great outdoors.

3. Saddle Art

Saddle Art is among the most popular destinations in Valsugana. It is a contemporary art park, an open-air museum that houses works of art created by international artists: Giuliano Mauri, Nils-Udo, Tobia Scarpa, Ettore Sottsass, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Michele De Lucchi, and Edoardo Tresoldi are just some of the names of the artists who have left their works in the three areas of the park (Malga Costa, Villa Strobele, and Sentiero Montura). The uniqueness of the projects lies in the use of natural materials such as branches and stones, which give rise to ever-changing works. Therefore, the works integrate with the environment and change over time and grow from year to year along with the landscape of the park.

4. The Orc Bridge

The ancient Orc Bridge has a compelling story! Don’t you know it? In the past, a shepherd returning to the village after a day’s work found the road blocked by an overhang. It was at that moment that an ogre appeared and offered him a deal: his soul in exchange for a solid stone bridge. Thus was born the legend of the bridge. How can this place be reached and visited? The walk starts from the center of Ivano Fracena, and continues for fifty minutes with an elevation gain of 250 meters. The route is also suitable for families, hikers, and those who plan to experience moments of isolation from population centers.

5. Levico Terme

Levico Terme is one of the most charming villages in Valsugana, known for its tranquil atmosphere and thermal waters. The historic center of Levico retains the charm of an alpine village that blends tradition and mundane modernity, with narrow, cobblestone streets, Art Nouveau buildings, and a lively main square, Piazza della Chiesa, where cafes, stores, and the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, built in the 19th century, face each other. Levico Terme is most famous for its thermal baths, the Terme di Levico, which have been frequented since the 19th century: they have attracted European high society over time, contributing to the town’s growth as an elite tourist destination. The Habsburg Spa Park, a large historic garden, is another attraction of Levico. Created during the Austro-Hungarian period, it is one of the largest historic gardens in Trentino and is perfect for relaxing walks among century-old trees and colorful flowers. Levico Terme also offers many cultural and traditional events, such as the famous Christmas Market, held right in the Hapsburg Park. Also not to be missed is a visit to Lake Levico to spend a peaceful afternoon.

6. Pergine Castle

Castel Pergine in Valsugana was built around 1200 and for centuries was considered the gateway to the valley. In the past, more or less around the 1930s, the manor was used as a hangout for followers of theosophy, such as the American Annie Halderman: in fact, the woman thought she had lived a past life inside the fortress. As of today, the manor is cared for by an association that bought it in 2018 and planned to add to its spaces a hotel, exhibition routes for exhibitions, and two restaurants, ideal for those who want to enjoy local delicacies in a mysterious place.

7. Fort Busa Granda

Fort Busa Granda, used by the Austrian army, is one of the great historical relics of the First World War. Positioned in the heart of the mountain, the fort has recently been restored, still remaining an evocative place and especially perfect for history lovers. Here, in the past among its rocky spaces, Austrian soldiers defended the valley from the advancing Italians. A place certainly eerie and full of charm.

5. Lake Forcella Magna

Getting to Lake Forcella Magna is not complicated. The route includes a path along a historic mule track, made during World War I. The path, formed in the past to supply Italian soldiers with provisions and ammunition positioned on mountain tops, presents a rather practical route that leads to visits to some old military posts. Continuing for a few hundred meters, you can reach a heart-shaped pond: undoubtedly a romantic place, especially suitable for couples ready to experience moments of rest.

9. Telvana Castle

Borgo Valsugana is dominated by Telvana Castle, an ancient fortress positioned at a strategic point in the valley. To visit the castle, one can walk the “castle trail,” which begins in the center of Borgo, once known as Ausugum, and later as Borgum Ausugi. The ancient Roman settlement has a history closely linked to that of the castle, which makes the walk a leap into the past and the history of the valley. To this day only a few ruins remain of the fortress including the curtains joining the ramparts and its inner rooms, which cannot be visited.

10. The Cave of Castello Tesino

Discovered in 1927, studied in 1952, the cave of Castello Tesino, at an altitude of 960 meters, is the only cave in Trentino to date that has the right equipment for guided tours. The cave is located on the right bank of the Senaiga River, and is a rock formation of karst nature with ancient galleries, stalactites and stalagmites. The cave’s uniqueness also features signs carved into the wall, probably attributable to Ursus Speleus Ros, the cave bear. In this regard, the Cave of Castello Tesino represents the only place to preserve evidence through fossils and various fragments of the animal’s presence in prehistoric times.

Valsugana, what to see: 10 places to visit

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