Alpe Cimbra.Blog.Cycling among the colors of autumn and the authentic flavors of the mountains

Cycling among the colors of autumn and the authentic flavors of the mountains

There is a moment of the year when the mountains light up with magic: autumn.

On the Alpe Cimbra, the woods turn into a living painting, the days shine with the golden light of the mid-seasons, and the crisp air carries the promise of a different time — slower, more intimate.

It is the season when nature invites you to be discovered calmly, to pedal without haste, to stop in front of a panorama and let yourself be enchanted.

And the bicycle becomes the ideal companion to experience all this.

More than 600 km of marked routes await those who love discovering the world on two wheels: forest roads that get lost in the woods, ancient trails that tell stories of soldiers and shepherds, itineraries that connect alpine villages and enchanted lakes.

Whether it’s a road bike, gravel, mountain bike, or a comfortable e-bike, every ride here becomes an experience.

1) Pedaling through nature and memory

On the Alpe Cimbra you don’t just pedal — you travel.

You travel through the colors of fir and larch trees, which in autumn explode into a thousand shades;

you travel through history, meeting along the way the forts of the Great War, silent guardians of the past that now invite reflection;

you travel within yourself, rocked by the steady rhythm of the pedals and the breath that slows down, past old sawmills and mills that tell the story of mountain life.

Every itinerary has a different soul.

There is the one that runs along the ridges and opens the view to the Brenta Dolomites,

the one that borders high meadows where peaceful cows graze,

the one that enters the forests and offers the intense scent of resin.

In autumn, the slanting light of the afternoon makes everything more evocative: every turn is a surprise, every climb an achievement.

2) Villages that tell stories

Then there are the villages, small treasures of authenticity.

By bicycle, you arrive slowly, you enter almost on tiptoe: stone houses, fountains that for centuries have offered fresh water, votive chapels that speak of devotion and community.

Here, time seems to have stopped, and yet every stone tells a centuries-old story.

The journey can only lead to Lusérn, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy.

Reaching it in autumn, surrounded by woods burning with colors, is an experience that stays in your heart.

Lusérn is not just a place — it is an encounter: with Cimbrian culture, with an ancient language that still resonates through the streets, with a community that has managed to preserve its identity and traditions.

Stopping here means entering an intimate and welcoming world, where authenticity is not a slogan but a lived reality.

3) The lakes as mirrors of autumn

Pedaling slowly, you also reach the lakes.

Lavarone and Passo Coe, in this season, look like enchanted mirrors: their calm waters reflect the woods and the sky, turning into ever-changing paintings at every hour of the day.

Stopping on the shores, listening to the silence broken only by the rustling of the leaves, breathing deeply — it is in these moments that one understands the true richness of a bicycle journey, made of precious pauses and new perspectives.

And from the Vigolana Plateau, one can admire in silence one of the most fascinating views over Lake Caldonazzo.

4) The taste of the stops

Then comes the reward: the table.

Because a cycling holiday on the Alpe Cimbra is not complete without its delicious breaks.

Refuges, mountain huts, and farmhouses welcome cyclists with genuine warmth and dishes steeped in tradition.

You warm yourself with steaming canederli (dumplings), let yourself be comforted by a plate of Trentino barley soup, savor the intense notes of carne salada with beans and onions.

Those who love cultural roots will find in Cimbrian cuisine ancient flavors that tell the story of the meeting between the alpine world and tradition.

All accompanied by a glass of Marzemino or Teroldego, wines that speak of Trentino, or by a craft beer produced in Folgaria, among mountains and pastures.

And the finale is always sweet: apple strudel, symbol of the Alps, smells of home and memory.

The Grand Parade of the Brava Part

The Alpe Cimbra is preparing to welcome one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year: La Brava Part, the great folk festival that celebrates the traditions of the mountains with a blaze of sounds, colors, flavors, and ancient crafts.

On September 27 and 28, 2025, Folgaria will become the beating heart of Trentino culture, where history, folklore, and conviviality intertwine in an unforgettable experience.

At the center of the celebration is the long-awaited return of the witch Brava Part, a symbolic figure who leads the grand historical parade in a spectacular procession from the locality of Costa to the heart of Folgaria.

Legend has it that the witch, protector of the mountain and its people, returns every year to bless the end of summer and greet the arrival of autumn.

Over 1,000 participants in period costumes will bring to life a spectacular reenactment: farmers, woodcutters, shepherds, craftsmen, and many other characters will animate the village with scenes of everyday life from times past.

The floats, skillfully decorated by the inhabitants of each hamlet, tell the story of ancient trades, while folk bands, alpine choirs, and traditional musicians fill the air with engaging melodies.

Throughout the weekend, the village will transform into a lively open-air stage, with:

- Craft markets, where you can discover local products, wooden artifacts, traditional fabrics, and objects of alpine culture

- Creative workshops for adults and children, to learn ancient techniques and manual arts

- Old-fashioned games, to rediscover the simple and genuine fun of the past

- Guided excursions, ideal for families, to explore the enchanting landscape of the Alpe Cimbra among woods, meadows, and breathtaking views

- Food stalls with the authentic flavors of Trentino tradition: steaming polenta, alpine cheeses, dumplings, strudel, and homemade grappas

- Parade of the Folk Band of Folgaria

5) An experience that caresses the senses

An autumn cycling holiday on the Alpe Cimbra in Trentino is not lived only with the legs.

It is an experience that caresses the senses: the rustle of leaves under the wheels, the smell of wet earth, the warmth of a shared meal after the effort, the sight of a sunset setting the mountains ablaze.

It is a symphony of details that compose a memory to carry with you for a long time.

And it doesn’t matter whether you are an expert cyclist or a simple enthusiast: here everyone finds their own rhythm, their own route, their own way of feeling part of the mountains.

6) Why choose autumn

Autumn is the season of calm.

The trails empty, nature reveals itself without haste, time seems to stretch.

It is the season for those who seek authenticity, who want to regenerate far from noise and frenzy, who wish to look the mountains in the eyes and be moved.

Choosing to cycle in autumn also means supporting local communities, which in this period offer the best of seasonal products: cheeses, honey, chestnuts, mushrooms.

Enjoying them after a day on the bike is a concrete way to feel part of this land.

7) A holiday that stays in the heart

Whether you are looking for challenging climbs, gravel routes through woods and meadows, an e-bike adventure with the children, or simply slow days combined with good food stops, the Alpe Cimbra will welcome you with its authenticity.

Because in autumn you don’t just cover kilometers — you cross stories, cultures, emotions.

Every pedal stroke is a memory intertwined with a landscape; every stop is an encounter that enriches.

The Alpe Cimbra in autumn is an invitation: slow down, listen, savor.

Get in the saddle and let yourself be guided by colors and flavors.

Live the mountains with all your senses — and carry them with you, in your heart, for a long time.

Top 5 experiences

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Sports, events, culinary experiences and much more: here are our top 5 experiences selected for you. Let yourself be inspired and visit us to live the unique adventures of Alpe Cimbra yourself!