Val di Fiemme
Val di Fiemme is an area in eastern Trentino, set between the Latemar Dolomites and the Lagorai range
Updated 20 July 2026
Val di Fiemme
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The story
The story of Val di Fiemme
An Alpine Area Between the Dolomites and the Lagorai
Val di Fiemme is an area of eastern Trentino, in Trentino-Alto Adige, crossed by the Avisio river and enclosed between the dolomitic Latemar massif to the north-east and the porphyry Lagorai range to the south. The territory includes several municipalities, among them Cavalese, Predazzo, Tesero and Ziano di Fiemme, spread along the valley floor and up the wooded slopes toward the alpine passes. It borders Val di Fassa, South Tyrol via the Passo di Lavazè and Val di Cembra further downstream, a position that has long made the valley a crossroads between different alpine cultures and territories.
The Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme: an Ancient Identity
The history of Val di Fiemme is marked by the Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme, one of Europe's oldest forms of self-government, which since the Middle Ages has collectively managed the valley's forests and common assets through the system of the Regole. The institution's historic seat is the Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità in Cavalese, with its frescoed façade and halls that still recount its role today. This communal management of forest heritage has shaped the local landscape and economy for centuries, tying the valley to timber working and keeping alive a community identity that still sets Fiemme apart from neighbouring valleys.
Forests, Peaks and the Forest of Violins
The landscape of Val di Fiemme alternates red spruce forests, high-altitude pastures and dolomitic rock faces. The Latemar, with its pale spires, is part of the mountain systems recognised by UNESCO as a Dolomites World Heritage Site, while the Lagorai, of porphyry origin, offers a wilder environment of alpine lakes and less-travelled trails. Toward Predazzo lies the Paneveggio forest, known as the Forest of Violins for the resonant-wood red spruces selected for centuries to build musical instruments, linked to the Italian violin-making tradition. The Avisio river runs through the whole valley, also feeding traditional rafting activities.
Cavalese, Predazzo, Tesero: Villages to Discover
Cavalese, the valley's main town, is home to the Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità and a compact historic centre at the foot of Mount Cermis, reachable by cable car. Predazzo, at the confluence of Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, is known for its tradition tied to geology and for the sports facilities that hosted the Nordic Ski World Championships. Tesero retains a distinctive historic centre with frescoed house façades, while Ziano di Fiemme, among the valley's smallest municipalities, is a starting point for hikes toward the Lagorai. The other villages of the area complete a mosaic of settlements bound by a shared history and economy.
Mountain Flavours: Food, Wine and Traditions
The cuisine of Val di Fiemme reflects its mountain character: canederli dumplings, polenta, porcini mushrooms and blueberries gathered in the woods accompany meat dishes and alpine-pasture cheeses made in the valley's high-altitude dairies. Among the typical cured meats is mortandela, made from pork prepared according to tradition, while locally produced grappa often rounds off meals in mountain huts and chalets. Alongside its food culture, the valley keeps alive traditions tied to wood and craftsmanship, a direct legacy of the Magnifica Comunità's forest management, still visible in the carvings and wooden objects found in village markets and workshops.
Not to be missed
- Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme in Cavalese
- Paneveggio Forest, the Forest of Violins
- The Latemar massif, part of the UNESCO Dolomites
- Tesero's historic centre with frescoed houses
- Ski lifts and trails around Cavalese, Predazzo and the Lagorai
To see
What to see in Val di Fiemme
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Routes in Val di Fiemme
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