Nestled in the Trentino region of northern Italy, Folgaria is a charming mountain town and ski resort with an eventful past. It was positioned along the frontline during World War I, with three Austro-Hungarian fortresses still visible today, and played an important role in resisting the Nazi advance during World War II.
Things to do in Folgaria
A short drive from Folgaria is the Giardino Botanico Alpino di Passo Coe, an alpine garden that is open during the warmer months. Located on the slopes of Mount Maronia, it’s planted with alpine flowers and vegetables, as well as medicinal plants that reflect the ancient traditions of the region.
If you’re visiting during the snow season, you can hit the ski trails of Folgaria, Lavrone and Luserna, which together extend across more than 100 kilometres. Collectively known as the Alpe Cimbra, the resort is well connected by chairlifts and features mostly easy-to-intermediate runs, plus a few challenging black trails. Alternatively, you can try your hand at “fat biking”, a form of mountain biking with oversized tyres designed to handle the snow.
Winter is also the ideal time for dog sledding, with packs of huskies whisking guests along the scenic shores of Lago Coe. Cheese lovers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to tour one of the farms that produce alpine pasture cheeses, such as the delicious Vezzena. This semi-hard and semi-cooked cheese has been designated as an Ark of Taste endangered heritage food.
Getting around Folgaria
Folgaria is around 35 minutes’ drive from Trento and 1.5 hours from Verona while Venice is just under two hours away. Valerio Catullo Airport is just over an hour’s drive from Folgaria and has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect to Folgaria and the town is small enough to explore on foot.