Smarano: Hiking Trails and Music History

Smarano combines the landscape of the Predaia plateau with hiking trails and a rich musical history. This gives you two distinct themes to consider when planning your trip: trails through forests and open countryside, and cultural offerings centered on early music and historical keyboard instruments. If you are looking for a hotel in Smarano, you can start by considering which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Hiking Trails and Landscapes Around Smarano

Smarano lies in the center of the Predaia plateau. Forests stretch above the village, while orchards lie below; pastures and forests alternate across the landscape. This combination provides a setting for walks and longer routes through the greenery.

The Passeggiata della Merlonga starts in Smarano and is also known as the panoramic walk from Smarano, or Crosare. It is an easy, mostly flat circular route through the forest. Along the way, viewpoints offer views of the lakes of Coredo and Tavon, as well as the Sanctuary of San Romedio. The route is accessible with a stroller only as far as the viewing terrace above San Romedio.

The twelve signposted Percorsi d’Anaunia trekking routes in the Smarano area offer another option. They follow a restored historic link from Rocchetta to Castel Thun and pass through beech and coniferous forests. The Merlonga route highlights the features of a single loop, while the Percorsi d’Anaunia are defined by their signposted trails and historic route.

Smarano also offers numerous walks with viewpoints, as well as trails through greenery and forests. They are suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. This lets you experience the landscape along different routes, depending on the activity you prefer. Smarano also has an equipped indoor facility for bouldering.

There are fire pits at Doss en Ciaura. There is also a wooden hut with a kitchen and toilets, which can be used by prior arrangement with the Asuc di Smarano. If you plan to visit, bear in mind that the hut must be requested in advance.

Music History and Local Culture

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Smarano was rebuilt between 1759 and 1762 after the previous building was destroyed by fire. Pietro Bianchi and his workshop carried out the reconstruction. The church houses the Ghilardi organ, built in 1992 and modeled on 16th-century Flemish organs.

Early music is also central to the work of the Accademia Internazionale di Smarano. Since 1993, it has organized concert series and advanced training courses in early music on historical keyboard instruments. In recent years, it has evolved from a specialized summer school into an international center for advanced education, research, and cultural production in this field. This offers a distinct cultural focus for your trip alongside the trails through the landscape.

Among the archaeological finds are the “Statues of Smarano”: two Roman sculptures discovered in a field in Smarano in 1982. They date from the 1st century AD and depict the goddesses Victoria and Fortuna. Artistic and craft traditions are also part of the local character. They are upheld by restorers, painters, and sculptors, as well as by ironworkers and woodworkers.

Discover more destinations: Valle San Felice, Grauno, Tenna, Taio, Vela, Cadine, Tozzaga, Spormaggiore.

For the regional travel overview: Trentino.