Drena: Castel Drena, Chestnut Grove and Trails

Drena combines a medieval castle complex with the gorge of the Rio Sallagoni, the dry landscape of the Marocche di Dro and an extensive chestnut grove.

Castel Drena and views over the gorge

Castel Drena preserves the essential elements of a medieval fortress. The oldest surviving record of the castle dates from 1175. Castel Drena also houses a permanent museum dedicated to the restoration of the building.

The 25-metre-high keep is accessible all the way to the top and offers views of the Marocche and Alto Garda. Castel Drena is located above the gorge of the Rio Sallagoni; at the foot of the castle stretches the Ice Age landslide of Marocche di Dro.

Marocche di Dro and distinctive landscapes

In the wider regional surroundings of Drena, the Marocche di Dro nature reserve lies at the foot of Castel Drena. It is a provincial nature reserve, a Special Area of Conservation and part of the Parco Fluviale della Sarca. Its dry, almost moon-like landscape has vegetation adapted to pronounced dryness and stony, humus-poor soils. Its formation is linked to glaciations.

Trails for active days

The Via Ferrata Rio Sallagoni runs through the narrow gorge carved by the Rio Sallagoni at the foot of the limestone wall below Castel Drena. It features waterfalls, lush vegetation and two Tibetan bridges.

The “Cammino dei Ricci” is an educational trail through the “maroneri” chestnut grove and focuses on the local chestnut culture. The grove contains more than 5,000 centuries-old trees and is one of the most extensive chestnut groves in Trentino. The one-hour Sentiero del Salim offers particularly impressive panoramas at Narveol and at the Crone. The short Sentiero del Sant stands out for its vegetation and special places such as the Calchera.

The Open Air Gallery Sculpture Park comprises two paths crossing in the forest: the Path of the Sun and the Path of the Moon. Both are lined with animals and fantastic objects. Visitors can follow the Open Air Gallery map, download GPX files and begin a hike along the paths leading into the vegetation.

Malga Campo and local traditions

Malga Campo was built around the 1950s by a group of cattle breeders for alpine farming. Originally, the complex included a dairy where butter, cheese, ricotta and other dairy products were made. Malga Campo is suitable for walks and picnics and is the starting point for several trails, including those to Stivo, Cima Bassa, Cima Alta and Malga Vallestrè. From Malga Campo, you can also follow a signposted trail along the ridge of Monte Stivo. The Chiesetta degli Alpini, a chapel commissioned by the Alpini, stands near Malga Campo.

Getting there and a festival celebrating the chestnut

The Tornanti di Malga Campo follow an 8-kilometre road from Val Loèra opposite the village of Ca Brusàa to Malga Campo at an altitude of 1,383 metres. The 16 hairpin bends are numbered individually. The out-of-town bus route 204 provides connections with the surrounding area: it connects Drena with the towns of Garda Trentino and runs between Riva del Garda, Cavedine and Trento. There is a request stop in the village of Marocche.

Maroni in Festa is a chestnut festival in Drena. In its 53rd edition, it included walks in the chestnut grove, cooking workshops, show cooking, music and tastings. Other places for planning your trip include San Sebastiano, Pergine Valsugana, Alba, Vigo Di Fassa, Maderno, Mezzolombardo, Prissian and Coredo.

To the overarching travel overview: Trentino.