Ronzo-Chienis: Mountains, Trails and Rural History

Ronzo-Chienis offers a clear mix of pre-Alpine rural architecture, mountain trails and historic buildings. Chienis is a practical starting point for walks along country lanes, while trails to Monte Biaena and Monte Creino lead to different destinations.

Rural Architecture and Churches

Chienis is characterised by pre-Alpine rural architecture. An old single-arch stone bridge can be seen there on the Rio Gresta. Typical traditional houses stand north of Ronzo in Contraa buazzera.

The former Church of San Michele Arcangelo is considered the most significant building in Ronzo-Chienis. It was built in 1561 on the site of an older church. It is therefore one of the town’s historic landmarks, without equating its former function with present-day use.

The Church of Sant'Antonio di Padova has been documented since 1681. It stands at an elevation of 1,265 metres in a scenic location above the upper Val di Gresta and has a projecting portico with wide openings in the form of basket-handle arches.

Flora and the Grotta di Stenone

The municipality of Ronzo-Chienis is home to at least 800 wild plant species. It also contains two small areas with thermal inversion. One of them is the Grotta di Stenone at the foot of the northern side of Monte Biaena.

The Grotta di Stenone, also known as Giazzera and locally as “Grotta del ghiaccio”, opens in the settlement of Gazz at an elevation of 1,165 metres on the western slope of Monte Biaena, slightly above Ronzo. It was used as a natural refrigerator almost until the First World War. The Giazère are cavities in the rock that have been used for centuries to store ice and snow.

Trekking Trails around Monte Creino and Monte Biaena

Trekking stage no. 14 leads to Monte Brugnolo and Monte Creino before descending to Ronzo-Chienis. From the centre of Ronzo-Chienis, trekking stage no. 15 leads through an alpine forest to Monte Biaena. In Chienis, country lanes and paths also invite you to go for walks.

A route to Monte Creino leads from the Santa Barbara area to the summit in about 45 minutes; access is via Ronzo-Chienis. Another route from Ronzo-Chienis to Mori reaches the first Austrian fortifications on Monte Creino after about 1.5 kilometres along a forested path. The summit is at an elevation of 1,292 metres and offers a 360-degree view across the Val di Gresta and Alto Garda to the peaks of Adamello and Presanella.

The Val di Gresta Fruit and Vegetable Consortium also has a facility in Ronzo-Chienis for collection, storage and sales.

Further destinations for your own orientation: Piazzo, Ville Del Monte, Sanzeno, Preore, St. Pauls, Pieve Di Bono, Rovereto, Eichholz

For the higher-level travel overview: Trentino.