Volano: Village Scenery, Churches and Hiking Trails

Volano offers visitors several specific points of interest: its historic centre, churches and towers, and routes for walking or cycling. If you’re looking for a hotel in Volano, you can plan your trip around an interest in the village scenery and history, a hike or one of the recurring festivals.

Village Scenery and Winegrowing

The historic centre lies on a terrace at the edge of the valley. Its main street is lined with two rows of houses. The houses form groups known as “cort”: picturesque ensembles with stone courtyards, arcades and external wooden staircases. These architectural features give the town centre its distinctive character.

Volano’s landscape also includes farmland. The flat area is intensively cultivated with vineyards and orchards, particularly apple orchards. Marzemino is a distinctive wine produced in Volano. Winegrowing and village scenery represent two different aspects of the local character.

Churches, Towers and History

The Chiesa della Purificazione di Maria in Volano was first mentioned as a parish church in 1197; its original form dates to the 12th century. The Pieve della Purificazione di Maria has a 47-metre-high bell tower and precious marble altars. The Chiesa di San Rocco contains fresco cycles depicting biblical scenes and episodes from the life of Saint Roch.

Another notable building is the Torre Des Tor: this old stone structure stands atop a hill and dominates the town of Volano. The Battle of Volano is also part of the town’s history. It is considered one of the most important events in the liberation operations carried out in Italian Tyrol in April 1809 by the Imperial Austrian army and Tyrolean insurgents against French-Bavarian troops.

Hikes and Excursions

The approximately 10-kilometre Sentiero dell’Arte runs through forests and villages, passing through Volano. The unpaved route is easy to walk and suitable for families, but not for strollers. At Dos dei Ovi di Volano, old bird-catching cages from the first half of the 20th century are among the historic features along the route.

The Trekking all’Eremo di Santa Cecilia circular hike connects the centre of Volano with the hermitage over 8.9 kilometres. It includes a protected section for experienced hikers. Take care on the route; it is closed seasonally in winter. The Eremo di Santa Cecilia is in the municipality of Volano, at an elevation of 770 metres, on the steep rock face of Cengio Rosso.

You can drive to the Eremo as far as Località Sant’Antonio, in the direction of Monte Finonchio. From there, a footpath leads to the Spiaz de le Strìe viewpoint. Excursions from Volano can also include mountain-bike or walking trips to Monte Finonchio.

From Volano, you can reach the Taio biotope on foot or by bicycle via the sunny Adige cycle path.

Festivals and Food Events

Every year, on the third Sunday in May, the municipality of Volano organises guided tours of the Chiesa di San Rocco for Memoriae. Memoriae is a festival celebrating popular devotion and rural life. The programme includes the Palio delle Contrade, a skills competition between four teams representing Volano’s Contrade.

La Magnalonga dell’Alta Vallagarina takes place every year on the first Sunday in September as a food and wine walk along the Sentiero dell’Arte. The event covers approximately 10 kilometres, is non-competitive, and includes nine food stops and five glasses of wine from local wineries. If you’re planning your trip around one of the festivals, check the date and programme details for that year’s event in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ziano di Fiemme, Concei, Sarnonico, Lombardi, Soraga, Ponte Arche, Spormaggiore, Bieno

For the main travel overview: Trentino.