In Balbido, take the road that goes towards val Marcia as far as Le Cross where you will find an open space and the sign indicating the start of the walk.
Family excursion in Val Marcia. Along the way, you will find clues left by the protagonists of this story.
The route is signposted with wooden signs.
For more information on routes, services (guides, mountain huts, shops etc.) and hiking friendly accommodation: Garda Trentino - +39 0464 554444
The telephone number for the emergency services is 112.
The information on this chart is subject to inevitable variations, so this means that none of the indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, the hiker is advised to check the conditions of the places, environment and weather before setting out.
Just above the painted village of Balbido where the houses are decorated with mural paintings that represent ancient crafts, traditions and legends, there’s the locality: le Cross, the starting point of this tour. Here, in 1656, five iron crosses were erected to keep away the witches that it is said pestered the farmers that went to val Marcia to collect wood and hay. The crosses are positioned in the wood to form one large cross and some of them are visible from the path. The route enters the wood along a gravel path on which, in some points, there’s a beautiful view of the valley. You arrive at Rango, a hamlet that is a member of the National Club of the “Most Beautiful Hamlets in Italy” as its houses still have the typical rural architecture of the valley. After visiting the hamlet, you can return via the parallel path to the one you followed before, but lower. Here you can also notice dry stone walls, skilfully built in the past using stones found locally. The path is bordered by walnut trees, which once formed part of the dense woodland and whose fruit was a source of income for the local farmers, while today they are a typical product of the area.
From Ponte Arche/Comano Terme take the SP del Bleggio and when you arrive in Balbido take the road going towards Val Marcia until loc. Le Cross.
Find out how to reach Garda Trentino.
Free parking in Balbido, or on the side of the road in loc. Le Cross.
This excursion is quite simple and presents no particular difficulty. However, we still recommend you to wear suitable footwear, a hat, sun screen and sunglasses. And be sure to bring water!
