Cinte Tesino: Moleta Tradition and Forest Trails

Cinte Tesino lies opposite Castello Tesino and occupies a somewhat separate position within the valley. Of the valley’s three towns, Cinte Tesino has preserved its original characteristics most strongly; its distinctive character is also evident in its architecture. Architecture and craftsmanship offer two different ways to understand what makes the town distinctive: one comes from comparing the three towns in the valley, the other from the history of itinerant knife sharpeners. To plan your day, you can choose between craft traditions, a mountain-bike loop through the towns, and trails through the forest and between the farmsteads.

Craft Traditions and Local History

For summer 2026, a guided tour with a live demonstration of traditional knife-sharpening was planned at the Museo del Moleta. Check the current schedule before planning a visit. This connection with craftsmanship goes back to the town’s history: the itinerant “moleta” from Cinte Tesino travelled throughout central and northern Italy, offering sharpening services with their “mole a carrettino.” The tour and demonstration thus connect with a tradition that, through the sharpeners’ travels, was also present in other parts of Italy. “Moleta” refers to the sharpeners; “mole a carrettino” means grinding stones mounted on a small cart.

Mountain Biking: Climb or Loop

The “MTB - Tesino bike - Monte Mezza 2309” route starts in Cinte Tesino and climbs Monte Mezza. It runs partly along a forest road and through a spruce forest; conditions may vary seasonally. If you plan this ride, check the conditions beforehand.

The “MTB - Tesino Bike - Borghi del Tesino 2310” route offers a different kind of ride: this easy, family-friendly loop passes through all three towns of the Tesino Valley and also includes wooded sections. Follow the signs to reach the center of Cinte Tesino. From there, the route continues along a road that later becomes unpaved, leading to the hydroelectric reservoir between Pieve and Castello Tesino. You can therefore choose between two different routes: the climb up Monte Mezza and the easy loop through the three towns.

Forest Trails on Foot

The short “Passeggiata - Pian de mela ai piedi di Monte Mezza” walk passes through the forests and between the Masi, the mountain farmsteads of Cinte Tesino. The forest and farmsteads offer a different way to explore the area from the two mountain-bike routes.

Another hiking option is “Itinerario 20 - SENTIERO DELL'OLIVE'”. Two kilometres from the starting point, the route enters a spruce forest and then continues to the paved road connecting Cinte Tesino with the Chiesetta Alpina.

Discover more destinations: Lago, Folgaria, Livo, Bondone, Brez, Ville Del Monte, Ruffrè-Mendola, Mezzolombardo.

Back to the main travel overview: Trentino.