Cavalese
Cavalese is the main town of Val di Fiemme, in Trentino, set in a sunny basin at the foot of the Latemar massif and the Lagorai ch...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
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The story
The story of Cavalese
Cavalese, the Capital of Val di Fiemme Between Latemar and Lagorai
Cavalese lies at the heart of Val di Fiemme, one of the best-known valleys in eastern Trentino, set within a sunny basin surrounded by forests and rocky cliffs. To the north rise the dolomitic spires of the Latemar, a UNESCO World Heritage massif, while to the south the valley is enclosed by the long Lagorai chain, less crowded yet rich in trails and alpine lakes. The village, with its historic houses and central square, has for centuries been the administrative and commercial reference point of the valley, a crossroads among the various municipalities that make it up. Its position, at around 1000 metres above sea level, ensures a pleasant climate in summer and easy access to ski lifts in winter, making Cavalese a year-round destination, appreciated both by those seeking active mountain sports and by those who prefer a slower, more cultural kind of tourism.
The Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme and Its Palace
The historic and institutional heart of Cavalese is the Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, the seat since the Middle Ages of the self-governing institution of the same name that collectively managed the valley's forests, pastures and resources according to ancient statutes. The building, adorned with frescoed façades and a charming inner courtyard, today houses a museum and picture gallery that tell the story, art and traditions of the Fiemme community through paintings, documents and period objects. The Magnifica Comunità is not merely a historic institution: it still manages the valley's forest heritage today, a form of self-government with few parallels in Italy. Visiting the Palazzo means understanding the deep roots of a model of communal management of collective assets that has continued uninterrupted through the centuries, becoming a symbol of identity for the whole of Val di Fiemme.
Alpe Cermis: Skiing and the Tour de Ski
From Cavalese a modern cable car climbs in just a few minutes to Alpe Cermis, the valley's panoramic balcony and one of Trentino's best-loved ski areas, with slopes for every level and wide spaces dedicated to cross-country skiing. It is here that one of the most spectacular stages of the Tour de Ski cross-country event finishes every year, with its famous final climb bringing athletes to the summit in front of thousands of spectators, briefly turning the spotlight of world sport onto Cavalese. In summer, Alpe Cermis becomes a starting point for hiking and mountain-biking excursions, with trails winding through woods and pastures up to spectacular viewpoints over the surrounding Dolomites. The cable car keeps running outside the ski season too, making the mountain accessible to families and hikers of every age.
The Resonance Forests and Local Traditions
Among the less visible but most precious treasures of Val di Fiemme are the resonance forests, stands of Norway spruce growing on the slopes around Cavalese and Paneveggio, famed worldwide for the acoustic quality of their timber. For centuries, violin makers have carefully selected spruce trees with the finest, most regular grain to craft violins, violas and cellos, following a tradition rooted in the same era as the Magnifica Comunità and closely linked to the history of violin-making in Cremona. This bond between forest and music remains a source of pride for the Fiemme community today, which safeguards these woods as a heritage to be passed on. Alongside the resonance-wood tradition, Cavalese preserves customs, festivals and crafts tied to timber, sheep farming and mountain life, which enliven the year with events and gatherings in the historic centre.
Excursions, Culture and the Surroundings of Val di Fiemme
Cavalese is also an excellent base for exploring the whole of Val di Fiemme, rich in small villages, high-altitude mountain huts and hiking routes suited to every season. The historic centre, with its narrow streets, arcades and frescoed buildings, invites leisurely strolls among shops, cafés and craft workshops, while the surrounding area offers a growing network of summer trekking trails, winter cross-country ski tracks and slow-tourism experiences tied to nature and local food. From Cavalese it is easy to reach other villages in the valley, the alpine lakes of the Lagorai and the gateways to the Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino Nature Park. The combination of culture, sport, forestry tradition and alpine scenery makes Cavalese an essential point of reference for anyone visiting eastern Trentino at any time of year.
Not to be missed
- Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, with its museum and picture gallery
- Alpe Cermis cable car, skiing in winter and hiking in summer
- The resonance forests, spruce woods prized by violin makers
- Cavalese's historic centre, with squares, arcades and frescoed houses
- The Lagorai chain, with trails and alpine lakes nearby
To see
What to see in Cavalese
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