April in the mountains is one of those things that, once experienced, is never forgotten. The air still has a trace of freshness, the woods begin to change color from the grey-green of winter to the intense green of the beautiful season, and the trails wake up almost in silence, without the crowd of July, without the booking anxiety of August. It is that suspended moment in which the mountain is still yours.
Folgaria, on the Alpe Cimbra in Trentino, is one of those places that knows how to make itself loved in this transitional season. And if you are looking for a campsite in Trentino open at Easter, or for the weekend of April 25th, or for May 1st, you are in the right place. This guide tells everything that you can do, experience and enjoy in Folgaria in spring, with a comfortable, welcoming base equipped with every comfort: Camping Essenza Alpina.
Why choose Folgaria in spring: the mountain without compromises
Folgaria is located at about 1,000 meters above sea level on the Alpe Cimbra, a gentle and wooded plateau a few kilometers from Rovereto, in southern Trentino. Italian location certified GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) for sustainable tourism, and European Community of Sport 2025, it is a destination that knows how to combine nature, culture and sport in every season of the year.
In spring, however, Folgaria has something special. The snow of the slopes slowly retreats, leaving space to green meadows and fragrant fir woods. The CAI-SAT trails that cross the plateau dry out and become walkable again. The temperature is cool and pleasant, ideal for walking, exploring and breathing without the heat of summer. And the territory is almost all for you: fewer tourists, more authenticity.
Easter 2026 falls on April 5th, Easter Monday on the 6th. The calendar then offers the weekend of April 25-26 and May 1st, which this year falls on a Friday, creating excellent opportunities for those who want to return several times or build a long holiday using few vacation days. Folgaria opens its arms to those who want to enjoy all this with the right rhythm: that of camping, free and real.
Your starting point: Camping Essenza Alpina
At the top of the list of campsites open in Trentino at Easter and during the spring holidays there is Camping Essenza Alpina, 4 stars, in the locality of Francolini in Folgaria. Open all year round (except 3 weeks in May) it is a structure designed in every detail for those who want to live the mountain outdoors without giving up anything.
“We wanted to create a place where families, couples and mountain lovers could rediscover the true essence of a holiday in freedom, without giving up well-being and comfort,” says Sara, creative soul of the project.
The identity of the camping is immediately recognizable: a lot of wood, natural light, a warm atmosphere where the heart is the symbol of every welcome. It is not a place where you park the camper and that’s it. It is a place where you feel good, even when it rains outside.
80 terraced pitches with panoramic view
The pitches are terraced and panoramic, with a view of the surrounding mountains and the village of Folgaria. Each pitch is equipped with electricity connection and grey water discharge. The external parking is large and free. Camper, caravan, van: all configurations are welcome, with pitches of different sizes, including the Nature pitches, closer to the forest, ideal for vans and campers up to 7 meters.
The services that make the difference
In spring, when the days can reserve some weather surprises, having quality services makes all the difference. At Camping Essenza Alpina you find:
- Heated bathrooms with underfloor-heated showers, never cold, even on April mornings;
- Laundry;
- Free WiFi throughout the structure;
- Internal market with typical products, fresh items and everything necessary for campers and families;
- Charging for electric bikes and electric cars on the pitch (however it is necessary to bring your own adapter);
- Elevators (the main structure is on 3 floors);
- Indoor and outdoor play area for the youngest;
- Dog washing area, because also your four-legged friends are welcome;
- Bar Essenza Alpina, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner;
- Reception available from 8 to 20.
New 2026: the panoramic swimming pool, coming for the summer season, will be a further strong point of the structure for the warm months. Already available the SPA Essenza Alpina, with airpool (also private, on reservation) with view, inaugurated in 2025.
The location: everything within walking distance (or almost)
The camping is located in the locality of Francolini, directly at the foot of the Francolini – Sommo Alto gondola lift, the lift system that in winter and in full summer comfortably takes you up to altitude. The village of Folgaria is just over one kilometer away. The CAI-SAT trails and MTB routes start directly adjacent to the structure. There is almost no need to take the car for anything.
A luxury a few steps from the camper: the SPA Essenza Alpina
Let’s be honest: Easter in the mountains can also bring some grey days. And then? Then it is the perfect moment to discover the SPA Essenza Alpina, the wellness center with Nordic philosophy which is, in all respects, the beating heart of the structure.
The SPA is also open to external guests, but for camping guests it is a few steps from the pitch. No car journey, no complicated booking: you leave the camper, you enter a world of steam and relaxation.
What you find:
- Panoramic Finnish sauna with view;
- Turkish bath with scrub;
- Cooling tub;
- Aufguss rituals conducted by expert masters with pure organic oils;
- Relax area with fireplace and swing;
- Herbal tea corner with a wide assortment of food and drinks;
- Personalized massages and face/body treatments;
- Airpool with exclusive view, also bookable privately (new 2025).
The SPA follows the authentic Nordic no-textile philosophy, you enter without swimsuit, as in the Finnish tradition. The changing rooms are cared for in every detail: shower gel, hairdryer, heated shower tray. Entries are limited (maximum 25 people) to guarantee an intimate and authentic experience.
After a morning on the trails, an afternoon in the sauna is the best way to restore body and mind. And in the evening, the Bar Essenza Alpina awaits you with an aperitif worthy of the name.
What to do in Folgaria at Easter and in spring: the day-by-day guide
The beauty of Folgaria in spring is the variety: in a single weekend you can walk through the woods, visit a fortress of the Great War, discover local flavors and regenerate in the SPA. Here are the experiences not to be missed.
Trekking: the trails of awakening
The Alpe Cimbra offers over 600 km of trails walkable on foot, with difficulties ranging from flat walks to more demanding climbs. In spring, when the snow has retreated but summer has not yet brought the heat, walking is an authentic pleasure.
Starting directly from Camping Essenza Alpina, you can reach on foot:
- Sommo Alto: following the panoramic trail that climbs towards the ridge, with a 360° view over the plateau and the valleys below. In April the landscape is still austere and magnificent, with patches of snow on the exposed slopes.
- Forte Sommo Alto: built between 1911 and 1914 at over 1,600 meters above sea level, it can be reached with a short deviation from the main trail. It cannot be visited inside, but its power is impressive and the panorama that can be enjoyed from there has no equal.
- Rifugio Stella d’Italia: from Costa di Folgaria, passing through the Biotope of Echen and Passo Sommo, in about one hour of walking among open panoras and fir woods.
For those who want to extend the step, the climb to Monte Cornetto (the symbolic mountain of Folgaria, about 3 hours and 750 m of elevation gain from Costa) is one of the most satisfying itineraries of the plateau. The Francolini-Sommo Alto gondola lift, when operational, takes you up to altitude in a few minutes with a view that on clear days extends up to the Po Valley.
The Hofentol waterfall and Guardia, the painted village
One of the most beautiful excursions and suitable for spring, when the water flow is at its maximum, is the one to the Hofentol waterfall, a natural gorge a few kilometers from Folgaria. The trail starts from the hamlet of Guardia, reachable by car from Folgaria in about 15 minutes, and leads to the waterfall in 15-20 minutes of walking through the Gon forest, between the Rio Cavallo stream and its tributaries.
Guardia is worth the stop by itself: it is known as “the painted village” for the multicolored murals that cover the facades of the houses, result of mural art exhibitions starting from 1988. From religious paintings to scenes of rural life, it is a small open-air museum that pleasantly surprises.
The Forts of Alpe Cimbra: history in the open air
Easter marks the opening of the cultural season on Alpe Cimbra. Starting from April 1st, one of the most suggestive sites of Trentino reopens.
Forte Belvedere Gschwent is the largest and best preserved Austro-Hungarian fortress in Trentino, built between 1908 and 1912 in Lavarone, overlooking the Val d’Astico. It hosts an innovative museum of the First World War with multimedia installations, historical finds and interactive paths that also involve children. Open from April 1st to November 1st, closed on Monday. From Folgaria it can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.
At Passo Coe, in the municipality of Folgaria, there is instead Base Tuono: the only testimony in Europe of a NATO missile base of the Cold War, active from 1966 to 1977. The guided visits take visitors to a place out of time, suspended between history and suggestion. The artificial lake next to the base, with Monte Toraro in the background, is a postcard scenario.
A day that embraces them both, morning at Forte Belvedere, afternoon at Base Tuono, is one of those experiences that remain impressed in memory. The contrast between the trenches of 1915 and the missile silos of the Sixties tells a piece of European history without equal.
Thematic trails and nature
Alpe Cimbra has built over the years a network of thematic trails designed for every type of visitor. In spring, with nature just awakened, walking them has a particular flavor:
- Water Trail (from San Sebastiano to Carbonare): one of the itineraries most recommended by the APT for spring, when the melting snow swells the streams. It follows the course of the Astico stream between meadows, small woods and ancient artifacts linked to the use of water, up to the Cueli mill.
- Biotope of Echen: a small uncontaminated natural reserve near Costa di Folgaria, also suitable for families with stroller. In spring it is a stage of awakening of local fauna, with frogs and amphibians among the ponds.
- Spring Trail: one of the thematic routes of Alpe Cimbra, which tells the awakening of mountain nature. Intuitive signage, suitable for the whole family.
- Forra del Lupo: one of the most beautiful and exciting Great War routes in Trentino, among high rock walls and remains of trenches, in Nosellari di Folgaria.
- Cimbrian Path of the Imaginary (Luserna): about 30 km from Folgaria, in the village of Luserna, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a path among sculptures and stories that bring back to life the legends of Cimbrian culture. Suitable for families with children, it deserves half a day.
Mountain bike: the season begins
April often marks the beginning of the MTB season on Alpe Cimbra, with the lower altitude routes already practicable. The area offers over 600 km of dirt roads and trails, with routes of all levels. The iconic circuit of the 100 km of the Forts, a large loop that touches forts, alpine huts and villages of the plateau, develops between 700 and 1,850 meters above sea level and can be taken directly from our camping. The camping has charging for e-bikes directly outside the bar.
The flavors of Trentino spring: what to eat in Folgaria
Spring in Trentino has its precise flavors. April is the moment when the first wild herbs return, dandelion, nettles, wild rocket, and the kitchens of alpine huts and refuges prepare for the season.
In the surroundings of Folgaria, between restaurants and shops of the village, you can discover:
- Vezzena cheese, produced on the plateau with milk of grazing cows, one of the most characteristic cheeses of Trentino.
- Potato polenta, local specialty, obtained from a puree cooked with butter, onion and grated Vezzena cheese.
- Canederli, potato tortel, speck of Alpe Cimbra.
- Local distillates: grappa, mountain herb liqueurs.
At Camping Essenza Alpina,Bar Essenza Alpina is the meeting point for a breakfast with typical products, a quick lunch or a simple dinner with view. The internal market has everything you need, also bread on reservation, to prepare your own meals on the pitch with local ingredients.
The calendar of spring 2026: how to organize your holiday in Folgaria
2026 offers a particularly favorable spring for those who want to make the most of the holidays. Here is how the calendar appears:
- Easter Sunday April 5th, Easter Monday April 6th. A long weekend of four days (from Thursday or Friday evening to Monday) perfect for a first taste of spring at altitude. The pitches in the morning sun, the trails that dry after winter, the SPA to warm up in the evening. In many regions schools are already on holiday from the previous week, which allows families to further extend the stay. At Easter the SPA is closed to enjoy all together a family day, but for an alternative Easter Monday we are open again.
- Weekend of April 25-26: April 25th 2026 falls on Saturday, it is not a bridge in the traditional sense, but it is still a long weekend in which the spring mountain is at the peak of its awakening. The woods begin to color with intense green, the temperatures become milder and the trails are already in excellent condition. An ideal weekend for those who want to return a second time or make a first seasonal outing.
- Super bridge April 25 – May 1: May 1st 2026 falls on Friday. With only 4 days of vacation from April 27 to 30 it is possible to build a holiday of 8 consecutive days, from Saturday April 25 to Friday May 1 included. It is the period in which spring on Alpe Cimbra is fully exploded: the meadows are green, the climate is often sunny and pleasant, and the trails are in the best conditions before the arrival of summer tourists. We at Essenza Alpina love these weeks.
Three distinct moments, three different ways to live Folgaria. And the good news is that Essenza Alpina is open for all three, just book in advance, because the panoramic pitches sell out quickly during the holidays.
Trentino Guest Card: the added value of your holiday
Guests of Camping Essenza Alpina receive the Trentino Guest Card, the tourist card that transforms every day of holiday into an opportunity. With the card you can access local public transport for free, visit museums, castles and forts of the Province of Trento, and benefit from discounts on numerous activities, including the entrance to Forte Belvedere Gschwent and Base Tuono.
Folgaria is also part of the Alpine Pearls circuit, the European network of alpine destinations that promote sustainable mobility, a recognition that translates into concrete services for those who want to move without a car.
Practical tips for spring camping in Trentino
April in the mountains is wonderful, but requires some precautions:
- Bring layered clothing. Mornings and evenings can be cool, even very, even when the afternoon is sunny. A waterproof shell is always useful, spring rain is part of the experience.
- Equip your vehicle for night temperatures. In April nights can drop close to zero at altitude. Check the heating of your camper or caravan. The camping has electricity connection on every pitch.
- Book in advance. Spring holidays are among the most requested periods. Panoramic pitches and Nature pitches sell out first.
- Bring sturdy pegs if you come with a tent. The dirt ground of the Nature pitches is ideal for drainage, but requires adequate pegs.
- Take advantage of the SPA on bad weather days. Having the SPA a few steps from the pitch transforms any grey day into an opportunity of authentic well-being.
Book your pitch at Easter and during the spring holidays
Folgaria in spring is one of those experiences that repeat every year, as long as the calendar allows it. The scent of the forest that awakens, the silence of the still semi-deserted trails, the satisfaction of a morning trekking followed by the warmth of a Finnish sauna: it is the real luxury, the one that is not bought but is chosen.
Camping Essenza Alpina is the perfect base to live all this: 4 stars, open at Easter and for all spring holidays, with all the services that make the holiday simple and authentic.
Do not wait: the panoramic pitches with view of the mountains and the village of Folgaria are the first to be booked. Check availability and book your pitch now!
Frequently asked questions about Folgaria at Easter and in spring
Are there campsites open in Trentino at Easter?
Yes. Camping Essenza Alpina in Folgaria, on Alpe Cimbra, is open all year round, except May. It is therefore available for Easter, for the weekend of April 25-26 and for May 1st. The structure offers 80 terraced and panoramic pitches, a SPA with Nordic philosophy and all services for a complete mountain holiday.
What can you do in Folgaria at Easter?
At Easter and in April, Folgaria offers trekking and walks on the CAI-SAT trails of Alpe Cimbra, the visit to Forte Belvedere Gschwent (open from April 1st), the excursion to the Hofentol waterfall and to the painted village of Guardia, mountain bike on lower altitude routes, and the possibility to relax at the SPA. The village of Folgaria is just over 1 km from Camping Essenza Alpina.
What is the climate in Folgaria in April?
April in Folgaria (about 1,000 m above sea level) and in Francolini (1,200 m above sea level) has a typically spring mountain climate: days that can be sunny and pleasant, with maximum temperatures around 10-15°C, cool mornings and evenings (also close to zero in April nights). May 1st usually brings a milder and more stable climate, with more pleasant daytime temperatures and spring in full explosion. It is always recommended to bring layered clothing and a waterproof garment.
Is the camping suitable for families with children?
Yes. Camping Essenza Alpina is designed for families: bathrooms dedicated for children, indoor and outdoor play area, interactive I-Wall, safe and large common spaces. The surrounding area offers trails suitable for the whole family, such as the excursion to the Hofentol waterfall, the Water Trail and walks at the Biotope of Echen.
Can you bring the dog?
Absolutely yes. Camping Essenza Alpina is pet friendly: all animals are welcome. The structure has a dog washing service. The woods and trails of Alpe Cimbra are perfect for long walks with your four-legged friend.
When do the ski lifts open in Folgaria in summer?
The Francolini – Sommo Alto gondola lift is a lift system of Alpe Cimbra open in full summer. For the precise opening dates of each season, it is advisable to check on the official website of Alpe Cimbra. At Easter (early April) the lift may not yet be active, but the walking trails are already practicable.
What is the Trentino Guest Card and how does it work?
The Trentino Guest Card is a tourist card reserved for guests of accommodation facilities in the Province of Trento. It includes free public transport, access to museums, castles and forts and discounts on numerous activities. Guests of Camping Essenza Alpina receive it at check-in.
Is it possible to build a long holiday connecting Easter to May 1st?
Yes, and 2026 lends itself particularly well. With only 4 days of vacation (from April 27 to 30) it is possible to obtain 8 consecutive days of holiday, from April 25 to May 1. A period in which spring on Alpe Cimbra is at its best moment: mild climate, open trails, woods in full bloom and still very little crowd compared to summer.
