The best walks and hikes around Besenello

The hamlet of Ondertol is still inhabited by a couple of families.

A beautiful view over the country

The largest fortress in Trentino. Beautifully restored and maintained, with large, labyrinthine spaces, evocative stone architecture, and stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. You can freely tour the fortified gates and courtyards, crescent-shaped bastions and stairways, patrol paths, and interior rooms housing weapons collections and other interesting surprises. You'll spend at least two hours there, and it's well worth the (fair) price of admission. Castel Beseno stands in a highly strategic position: a high hill along the Vallagarina, at the entrance to the Rio Cavallo Valley; it essentially controlled the communication routes between the Germanic area and the Italian peninsula, both from the Trento and Folgaria sides. Of medieval origin (12th century), it was expanded and modernized over the centuries. In particular, during the 16th century, it was rebuilt and renovated, transforming its appearance from a medieval castle to that of a Renaissance residence, while retaining its identity as a well-armed defensive fortress. After a long period of abandonment, in 1973 the Trapp counts, owners since 1470, donated the castle to the Autonomous Province of Trento, which oversaw its masterful restoration. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Beseno https://www.buonconsiglio.it/castel-beseno/

The Rio Mous waterfalls are a series of cascades between the rocks and lush vegetation of the dense Gon Forest, along the picturesque trail connecting Folgaria to Guardia. The stream flows from Serrada to join the Rio Cavallo (Rosspach in Cimbrian). You cross a beautiful, ancient stone arch bridge, which can only be appreciated by venturing off-trail. Like any torrential waterfall, it's best seen after days of rain, to experience the full force of the water rather than the meagerness of a trickle.

The Hofental Waterfall is a spectacular thirty-meter waterfall, hidden in a rocky ravine. Around the corner from the beautiful trail that runs through the Gon Forest, you'll be amazed by the rush of water cascading through lush greenery in summer, or by a spectacular frozen landscape in winter! Like any torrential waterfall, it's best visited after a rainy period, to avoid the risk of finding only a trickle flowing. https://www.alpecimbra.it/it/scopri-l-alpe-cimbra/natura-e-cultura/la-cascata-dell-ofentol/74-2245.html

Dos del Stock (900m) is a panoramic balcony from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Rio Cavallo Valley (also known by the Cimbrian toponym Rosspach Valley), the village of Guardia and the Gardesan Prealps.

The Maso di Ondertol is an ancient and remote hamlet that originated in the 13th century, perched on the steep left slope of the Rio Cavallo Valley. Despite the rugged terrain, for centuries the inhabitants managed to cultivate barley, wheat, corn, potatoes, and vines with great effort and determination. During the Great War, Ondertol was the base for the mighty military cableway that ran from the Calliano train station up the Rio Cavallo valley to reach Folgaria after a 6 km journey. The cableway's foundations are still visible beneath the village. Today, no one lives there permanently, and the hamlet is used as a vacation rental, with a beautiful view of the valley. The name 'Ondertòl' betrays the village's Cimbrian origins, meaning 'below the valley' or 'beyond the valley'.

The Zambel Waterfall ('el Zambelòn' in the local dialect) is an enchanting natural setting: the stream plunges briskly between high rock walls into a natural pool; the cool, clear water flows into a clearing surrounded by greenery; the sun's rays often penetrate it, creating evocative beams of light and rainbows! It's naturally at its best after rainy days. It's also known as the Calliano Waterfall (name of the nearby town), the Rio Cavallo Waterfall (from the name of the stream and the valley of the same name), or the Rosspach/Rossbach Waterfall (the Cimbrian equivalent of the river): the watercourse was so named because it descended from Folgaria in a very winding and impetuous manner, like a restless colt. The waterfall is actually an ancient artificial dam, as evidenced by the stone blocks that compose it entirely, without the use of cement. In the 15th century, the left canal (above the greenhouse) was built for agricultural purposes and likely to fill the defensive moat of nearby Castel Pietra. In the 17th century, the right industrial canal ('roggia') was also built, descending to Calliano and flowing into the Adige River. Over the centuries, it has served to provide mechanical power to countless industrial and manufacturing activities (mills, sawmills, hammer mills, spinning mills). It can be reached from below, via an easy path from Calliano, or from above, via a short route equipped with ropes and steps. In summer, the site is quite popular for cooling off and sunbathing.