Cimego: Discover Nature, History and Culture

Cimego brings together nature, history and crafts in a varied landscape. When planning your trip, it is worth exploring two distinct sides of the area: the river landscape along the Chiese and Rio Caino, and the cultural and historical sites and activities associated with Cimego. This lets you focus on the landscape, local history or traditional crafts.

Nature and the Rio Caino Trail

The protected area near Cimego includes a lowland forest of poplars, alders and ash trees along the Chiese River and the lower Rio Caino. The natural landscape is shaped not only by its rivers but also by the forest’s different tree species. The local protected area is part of the network of nature reserves in the Chiese Valley.

The lower stretch of the Rio Caino lies within the local protected area; you can visit the ethnographic trail of the same name along this stretch. The trail passes the Orto della strega Brigida, a botanical treasure where some of the many herbs used by Brigida have been collected. In this way, the trail combines nature and plants with local cultural history.

There is also a small, atmospheric riverside park on the Rio Caino. You can enjoy the scenery there and relax before or after a walk. If you plan to follow the ethnographic trail, bear in mind that trail conditions can vary.

History and Crafts

At the beginning of the 14th century, Dolcino preached his teachings in Cimego, accompanied by Margherita, and gained numerous followers. To commemorate this episode, the Casa Museo di Dolcino e Margherita was established along the ethnographic trail. This historical connection adds the memory of a specific medieval episode to the trail’s themes of nature and plants.

The Rio Caino ethnographic trail also includes a restored lime kiln used to produce lime. Unlike the museums, the focus here is on a specific stage of work: the kiln illustrates the production of lime. The Casa Museo Marascalchi, meanwhile, is a museum of peasant life in the medieval historic centre of Quartinago-Cimego, in the municipality of Borgo Chiese.

The Il Mulino mill and La fucina forge offer further insights into traditional processing. The mill was recently put back into operation and is powered by the waters of the Rio Caino. It demonstrates the entire grain-processing cycle, from milling to breadmaking. The forge focuses on ironworking: La fucina is set up as a kind of “living museum” where visitors can follow every stage of this craft.

Quartinago and Activities Throughout the Year

The Pista ciclabile della Valle del Chiese passes through Quartinago di Cimego. The village is described as an old medieval settlement and hosts Christmas markets. The cycle path, historic character and markets offer a different focus from the river landscape and insights into traditional crafts. If you are particularly interested in history, Quartinago is a fitting point of reference in the area’s story.

Cimego is noted for its numerous ski touring routes and a cross-country ski trail in winter. These seasonal activities differ considerably from the themes of the ethnographic trail, which include herbs, historical memory and traditional processing. Depending on what you are looking for on your trip, these different focuses may help you choose when to visit and where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Darè, Storo, Montagnaga, Breguzzo, Balbido-Rango, Stravino, Bocenago, Folgaria.

For the regional travel overview: Trentino.