There are places where you arrive and immediately feel you are in the right place. The air changes, your pace slows down, and something in your mind stops racing. Folgaria, in the heart of the Alpe Cimbra in Trentino, is one of those places.
A sunny plateau at over 1,000 meters above sea level, surrounded by deep spruce forests, open pastures, and a silence you simply cannot find in cities. A destination for those who love real mountains – not postcard mountains, but mountains to truly experience: with hiking boots or skis, with children in your arms or your dog on a leash.
In this guide you will find everything you need to know about Folgaria and Alpe Cimbra: what to do, what to see, when to go, and how every season becomes an experience worth the journey.
What is Alpe Cimbra: Folgaria, Lavarone, Luserna and Vigolana
Alpe Cimbra is one of the largest plateaus in Trentino. It stretches across the southeastern part of the region between the Adige Valley and the Brenta Dolomites, with a vast system of forests, pastures, and panoramic ridges connecting four main areas: Folgaria, Lavarone, Luserna, and Vigolana.
Unlike the dramatic Dolomite peaks, the landscape here is softer, more accessible, and more human. Distances are short, elevation gains are often suitable for families and children, and mountain huts are easy to reach. It is a place that does not intimidate, but welcomes you – in every season.
Luserna deserves a special mention: it is one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and still preserves the Cimbrian language, a medieval Germanic dialect brought here by settlers between the 10th and 12th centuries. Here, the mountains still have an ancient voice.
When to go to Folgaria: a year-round destination
The short answer is: anytime. Alpe Cimbra works all year round, but every season has its own colors and reasons.
Winter (December – March): snow and skiing, but not only
Winter is the most famous season. The Ski Area Alpe Cimbra offers over 100 km of ski slopes for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and freeride, with modern lifts and ski schools for all ages. But snow here means much more: cross-country skiing centers, snowshoe hikes through silent forests, ice skating in the Folgaria ice rink or on the frozen Lake Lavarone, sledding tracks for children, and fat biking on snow.
Folgaria is also the “European Sport Region 2025”, a recognition that reflects its strong sporting identity.
And when your legs need a break? A sauna Aufguss ritual with mountain views is never a bad idea. But more on that later.
Spring (April – May): slow awakening, fresh air
Spring arrives late at altitude, but it arrives strongly. Forests wake up, mountain huts reopen, and trails become accessible again. It is the season for quiet travelers, those who seek nature without crowds, the first hike of the year, or a weekend outside high season with lower prices and more peace.
Practical note: in May the area is in transition, and some facilities may close seasonally. It is recommended to check availability before traveling.
Summer (June – August): mountains in full shape
Summer in Alpe Cimbra is the opposite of a beach holiday: fresh, green, and active. Long bright days, cool evenings, and endless outdoor opportunities.
Hiking on CAI-SAT trails of all levels, mountain biking on technical and panoramic routes (the “100 km dei Forti” is a cult European cycling event), trips to mountain huts, swimming in Lake Lavarone – one of the few alpine lakes with Blue Flag certification.
In summer, the area hosts sports training camps, cultural festivals, and food events. There is always something happening.
Autumn (September – November): the colors of Alpe Cimbra
Autumn is perhaps the most underrated season. Forests turn red and orange, mushrooms grow in the undergrowth, and mountain huts still serve traditional dishes. Trails are empty, light is golden, and the atmosphere is especially peaceful.
For campers and slow travelers, it is the perfect season: availability, calm atmosphere, and pure nature.
What to do in Folgaria in summer
Hiking and trails
Alpe Cimbra offers an extensive network of marked trails, CAI-SAT paths, the European long-distance trail E5, and the Cimbrian Traverse. There are routes to Forte Sommo Alto (reachable on foot from Francolini), forest paths toward Malga Piovernetta, and a Nordic Walking Park with 17 dedicated routes.
Mountain biking and e-biking
A paradise for bikers. Trails cross forests, ridges, and valleys, with e-bike rentals available for easier exploration. Major international events such as the “100 km dei Forti” and Bike Transalp take place here.
Lake Lavarone
Just a few kilometers from Folgaria, Lake Lavarone is one of the most beautiful lakes in Trentino. Crystal-clear water, two equipped beaches, and Blue Flag certification make it perfect for families and relaxing day trips.
Mountain huts and local products
Alpe Cimbra mountain huts still produce excellent local food. Vezzena cheese, aged at high altitude, is one of the region’s top specialties, along with speck, honey (there is even a Honey Museum), porcini mushrooms, and Trentino wines such as Trento DOC, Teroldego, and Marzemino.
Sport and culture: Alpe Cimbra surprises
The 18-hole golf course in Costa di Folgaria, set in a protected landscape, is one of the most scenic in Trentino. For history lovers, seven First World War forts are spread across the plateau. Today they are panoramic viewpoints and museum sites accessible by foot or bike.
What to do in Folgaria in winter
Skiing in the Alpe Cimbra Ski Area
With over 100 km of slopes, the Ski Area Alpe Cimbra is one of the most complete ski resorts in Trentino. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, freeride, beginner slopes, and advanced runs are all connected by modern lift systems. A single ski pass covers both Folgaria and Lavarone, allowing you to move freely across the entire area.
In the Francolini area – where the Camping Essenza Alpina is located – the Francolini-Sommo Alto cable car operates, taking skiers directly to the slopes in winter.
For non-skiers
Winter in Alpe Cimbra is not only about skiing. There are snowshoe hikes through silent snowy forests, night walks under the moonlight, ice skating at the Folgaria ice rink, sledding tracks for children, and fat bike experiences for the more adventurous. On cloudy days, you can explore First World War forts, historic villages, museums, or simply relax in a spa.
Christmas markets and atmosphere
During the Christmas period the Alpe Cimbra and locations nearby (Lavarone, Levico Terme, Rovereto, Trento) turn into a magical winter setting filled with lights, markets, and the scent of mulled wine. The Lavarone Christmas Market, in the historic center of Bertoldi Veci, is one of the most characteristic in the area: a stone village that feels like it belongs to another time.
What to do in Folgaria when it rains
Even bad weather offers plenty of options. First World War forts with indoor paths and exhibitions, local museums, shops selling typical products, long breakfasts with apple or buckwheat cake, massages, or an afternoon Aufguss ritual in a panoramic spa. When it rains outside, it’s time to regenerate inside.
Aufguss in Alpe Cimbra: a Nordic wellness experience
There is one thing that more and more visitors discover on Alpe Cimbra and then find difficult to forget: the Aufguss ritual.
Aufguss is an ancient Nordic practice that originated in Finnish saunas and has found a natural home in Trentino, where it is carried on by passionate and highly skilled practitioners. In essence, it is a guided sauna ritual: the Aufgussmeister places ice and essential oils onto the hot sauna stones and, through rhythmic movements with a towel, directs the warm, scented steam towards the guests. The result is a multisensory experience that combines heat, aromas, music, and mindful presence.
The benefits are tangible: it stimulates circulation, supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, relieves muscle tension, and helps reduce stress. Yet anyone who has experienced an Aufguss at least once knows that a clinical description cannot fully capture what it feels like. It is something that must be experienced rather than explained.
At Camping Essenza Alpina, located in Francolini, Folgaria, the Aufguss rituals are led by trained masters in the panoramic SPA. The experience is also open to external visitors, not only to camping guests.
Advance booking is required. Please check availability before your visit.
Folgaria: a mountain region with a future
Folgaria is not only beautiful – it is forward-looking. Alpe Cimbra is part of the Alpine Pearls network, which promotes sustainable alpine tourism. It is also working toward GSTC certification, the world’s leading sustainability standard promoted by the United Nations. A destination focused on responsible tourism – increasingly important for modern travelers.
For travellers who choose their destinations not only for what they offer, but also for the values they represent, this matters.
Trentino Guest Card
By staying at a participating accommodation, such as Camping Essenza Alpina, guests are entitled to the Trentino Guest Card, which includes free public transportation, access to museums, castles, and historic forts throughout Trentino, discounts on a wide range of activities, and special benefits for families. It is far more than a minor perk: over the course of a week-long stay, it can make a significant difference both in terms of convenience and overall travel budget.
Where to stay in Folgaria: camping as a base camp
For those traveling with a camper, caravan, van, or tent, Folgaria offers a highly equipped base: Camping Essenza Alpina in the Francolini area, right next to the cable car and the main trails.
It is is a 4-star campsite open all year round (except May for maintenance). It features 80 terraced panoramic pitches, full services, and a Nordic-style spa that is already a highlight of the entire Alpe Cimbra experience. On-site you will find a bar, a small market with local products, a ski room with heated boot lockers, e-bike charging stations, and EV charging points (with personal adapter required), as well as a children’s play area and many other services – all without needing to use your car.
The location is strategic: from your pitch you can reach the Francolini-Sommo Alto cable car on foot. In winter it takes you directly to the ski slopes; in summer it opens up the mountain for hiking and biking.
Chalets in Folgaria: wood, warmth, and mountain feeling
Not only camping – Camping Essenza Alpina also offers modern glamping chalets.
A 4-star campsite can also provide accommodation for those who travel without a camper or caravan but still want to enjoy an outdoor mountain experience. Imagine waking up facing the mountains, having breakfast at sunrise, or enjoying an aperitif at sunset. Our 4 chalets offer it all.
Our open-plan chalets are perfect for couples and families. They feature a spacious sleeping area, a generous living space with a dining table and sofa bed, and a fully equipped kitchen with everything you might need, including a refrigerator, microwave, large sink, and plenty of storage space. Every comfort has been carefully considered, with ample room to store your belongings, allowing you to enjoy the chalet as a true home away from home – a cozy mountain retreat.
Our two-bedroom chalets offer two spacious bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom (yes, every chalet has two bathrooms, making them ideal for travelling with friends while maintaining your privacy). They also feature a comfortable living area with a sofa bed and a fully equipped kitchen complete with a large refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and oven. If you are travelling as a group of up to six people, there is plenty of space for everyone.
All of our chalets enjoy panoramic views. In winter, the scenery can be admired through the large windows from the comfort of indoors, while on sunny days you can relax outside on the furnished veranda, complete with comfortable lounge seating.
How to get to Folgaria
By car: A22 Brenner motorway, exit Trento Centro, then follow signs for Folgaria (about 25 km). The road is well maintained and open year-round.
By train: Trento railway station, then bus connections to Folgaria and other villages in Alpe Cimbra.
By plane: the nearest airports are Verona (about 90 km), Venice (about 180 km), and Bergamo (about 200 km).
Folgaria is worth the trip: in every season, for everyone
There are destinations that work only in one season. Folgaria is not one of them. Here you find snow in winter and forests in summer, mushrooms in autumn and flowers in spring. Ski slopes and hiking trails, lakes and mountain huts, Vezzena cheese and Trentino wines. World War I forts and the still-living Cimbrian language in Luserna. Aufguss rituals and the silence of the woods.
A mountain area to be lived slowly, suitable both for adrenaline seekers and for those looking to disconnect – for families, couples, campers, and first-time visitors.
You arrive, park, breathe deeply – and immediately know you are in the right place.
