Over the centuries, thanks to the presence of this impetuous watercourse, numerous mills and sawmills has been built and the Rio Cavallo stream has become one of the main milling centres of Trentino.
In the area, a varied vegetation has grown too. A dense forest of spruces wraps the ancient path that connects Alpe Cimbra with Beseno Castle and with the Vallagarina valley.
While walking along the trail the old times, when the proud inhabitants of Folgaria were fighting for defending their independence from the Trapp counts of Beseno Castle, come to mind.
Nature will be your main companion. You will walk through the Mezzomonte geomorphological path and into the extensive alpine forest called Gon.
During the summer, the emerald green captures the gaze of travellers. In autumn, the warm shades of the yellow, orange and red foliage, make it even more fascinating.
This natural chromo therapy, together with the peaceful atmosphere and the gentle sound of the water funnelling through the rocks and stones, restores the mind of those travellers who venture along this unique path.
Do not be frightened if you hear strange noises: it is easy here to meet deer, roe deer and hare.
For history lovers, the route allows the visit of the sixteenth-century church dedicated to St Valentine, the eighteenth-century village Mezzomonte, the tiny Cimbrian hamlet Ondertol, the painted village Guardia and offers breath-taking views towards Beseno Castle, the largest one in the province.
You can travel the way from both directions:
-from the village Dietrobeseno, climbing up along the left side of the valley to Mezzomonte or Folgaria;
-from the villages Folgaria or Mezzomonte, walking down along the right side of the valley.
The most suggestive part of the trail is the stretch rising to Guardia, a delightful little mountain village also known as “the painted hamlet” because of the wall painting on the houses. A few steps from there, the beautiful Hofentol waterfall will bring ease to strain.
For families with children and for not well-exercised people, it is advisable to walk downhill from Folgaria (about three hours) or from Mezzomonte (about two hours) and return by bus from Dietrobeseno.
Find out the path
