Smarano between forest paths and early music

One of the area’s distinctive routes is the Passeggiata della Merlonga, also known as the panoramic walk from Smarano or Crosare, which begins in Smarano. The route is an easy, largely flat circular trail through the forest. With a pushchair, it is accessible only as far as the viewing terrace above San Romedio.

Hiking, viewpoints and paths through the countryside

The Passeggiata della Merlonga offers viewpoints overlooking the lakes of Coredo and Tavon, as well as the Sanctuary of San Romedio. In the Smarano area, the 12 signposted hiking routes of the Percorsi d’Anaunia also follow a restored old connection from Rocchetta to Castel Thun. They run through beech and coniferous forests.

Smarano offers numerous walks with viewpoints, as well as paths through open countryside and forests that are suitable for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking and for tourists of all ages. There is also a fully equipped bouldering gym. In the Doss en Ciaura area along the Merlonga, you will find fire pits, a wooden hut with a kitchen and toilets, as well as nearby children’s play equipment and a large sports field. The wooden hut can be used by prior arrangement with the Asuc di Smarano.

Church, organ and early music

The village’s cultural history can also be experienced first-hand. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Smarano was rebuilt between 1759 and 1762 by Pietro Bianchi and his workshop after the previous building was destroyed by fire. The church houses the Ghilardi organ, built in 1992 and inspired by Flemish organ models from the 16th century.

Since 1993, the Accademia Internazionale di Smarano has organised concert series and high-level advanced training courses in early music on historical keyboard instruments. In Trentino, it attracts dozens of students and professionals from around the world every year. In recent years, the academy has developed from a specialised summer school into an international centre for advanced education, research and cultural production in the field of early music.

The Smarano Academy Music Festival 2025 was a public summer concert series featuring recitals for organ, clavichord, harpsichord and fortepiano. The local history of art and culture also includes the “Statues of Smarano”: two Roman sculptures found in 1982 in a field in Smarano, dating from the 1st century AD and depicting the goddesses Victoria and Fortuna. An artistic and craft tradition is upheld by restorers, painters, sculptors, and iron- and woodworkers.

Which accommodation is right for your stay

For planning your trip, Smarano therefore offers two clearly identifiable focuses: forest paths and walks for active days, and the church, organ and early music for cultural interests. If you would like to combine both, you can take your preferred type of stay into account when choosing your hotel and divide your days between the landscape of the Predaia Plateau and the village’s cultural attractions.

You can discover more destinations via Salobbi, Bellamonte, Carisolo, Mezzano, Ronchi Valsugana, Marilleva 900, Terlago and Molina Di Ledro.

For the main travel overview: Trentino.