Folgaria is the heart of the Alpe Cimbra, the green plateau of southern Trentino suspended between the Adige valley and the Veneto, which together with Lavarone and Lusérn forms one of the most loved and easily reached mountain destinations in the Alps. It is a family-friendly land, with a large ski area in winter, lakes and forests in summer, and a unique history: here people still speak Cimbrian, an ancient Germanic language, and the plateau guards the forts and trenches of the Great War. Close to the cities and the airports, it is handy and welcoming. The addresses we suggest we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
Folgaria is the handiest base on the plateau: a lively, well-served village, with the ski lifts within reach, shops, restaurants and a long tradition of hospitality. From here you easily reach the slopes, Lake Lavarone and the forts, and it is the ideal starting point for exploring the whole Alpe Cimbra. Let’s look at where to stay, and then the skiing, the summer and the seasons.
Where to stay in Folgaria
Folgaria is a scattered village, with its centre and several hamlets close to the lifts of Costa, Fondo Grande and Serrada. It is the handiest choice for those who want skiing and services close by, in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Here you’ll find hotels with spas, chalets, garnis and B&Bs for every budget, many a stone’s throw from the slopes. The addresses we recommend:
Blu Hotel Natura & Spa – Adults Only
An adults-only four-star in Folgaria, with a free wellness centre, a gourmet restaurant and wood-lined rooms overlooking the gardens. The intimate atmosphere and the care for wellness make it an ideal retreat for a couple seeking relaxation. Perfect for those who want quiet, good food and wellbeing on the Alpe Cimbra.
Muu Village
Self-contained mountain chalets a stone’s throw from the Costa Moretta slopes, with a wellness centre, an indoor pool and a restaurant. The chalet formula and the wellness services make it perfect for families and groups seeking independence and comfort on the snow. Ideal for those who want the lifts close by and spaces all to themselves.
Al Sole Mountain Chic
A three-star with a considered style in Folgaria, with apartments and panoramic rooms and free private parking, at the foot of the Alpe Cimbra. The welcoming atmosphere and the handy position make it a versatile base for skiing and excursions. Ideal for couples and families after comfort and a touch of design.
Hotel Grizzly “Ski-in Ski-out”
A three-star with direct access to the slopes, perfect for ski lovers who want to clip on their skis at the door. The convenience of the ski-in ski-out position and the mountain hospitality make it a practical base for a ski week. Ideal for skiers and hikers who love having the lifts a step away.
Wanderlust B&B
A family-run bed and breakfast in Folgaria, with apartments and rooms with mountain views, a terrace and private parking. The warm welcome and the well-kept interiors make it a genuine, handy base for experiencing the Alpe Cimbra. Ideal for couples and families after simplicity, quiet and good value for money.
Hotel B&B Francolini
A two-star a stone’s throw from the Alpe Cimbra lifts, with Alpine-style rooms and a breakfast with home-made cakes. The family management and the affordable prices make it a simple, reliable base for skiing and family holidays. Perfect for those seeking convenience and genuineness without spending too much.
All the properties in the village: all hotels in Folgaria →
Skiing: the Ski Area Alpe Cimbra
The Ski Area Alpe Cimbra is one of the most extensive and sunny ski areas in southern Trentino, with around a hundred kilometres of slopes between Folgaria (Costa, Fondo Grande, Serrada) and Fiorentini. It is a ski area famous for its family focus, with nursery slopes, children’s areas and slopes for every level, though there is no shortage of demanding runs and extensive snowmaking. It is part of the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta consortium, and its position, very close to Trento, Rovereto and the Veneto, makes it extremely handy to reach. The season runs roughly from December to April, depending on snow cover, to be checked year by year.
To get your bearings among the ski areas and pick the right base, see the guide where to stay for skiing in Trentino-Alto Adige; if you’re after a hotel with direct access to the slopes, the selection of ski-in ski-out hotels in the Dolomites. The Alpe Cimbra is also an ideal destination for a family ski holiday.
Summer: Lake Lavarone, the forests and the forts
In summer the Alpe Cimbra is a paradise of forests, meadows and views. Lake Lavarone, swimmable and set among the woods, is a much-loved family destination, while the trails and cycle paths cross one of the greenest areas of Trentino. The plateau guards a unique historical heritage: the forts of the Great War, such as the Belvedere-Gschwent Fort at Lavarone, and Base Tuono, a former Cold War missile base now a museum. At Lusérn the Cimbrian culture is kept alive, with its museum and its ancient language. There is also the astronomical observatory and walks among the mountain pastures. For the other summer destinations, see the Dolomites in summer and what to do in Trentino-Alto Adige in summer.
Lake Lavarone is one of the destinations in our guide where to stay on Trentino’s lakes; and if you’re after wellness after the sport, the selection of hotels with spa and thermal baths. A little further south, towards Lake Garda, is Riva del Garda.
When to go
Folgaria and the Alpe Cimbra are a two-full-season destination. Winter (from December to April, depending on snow cover — to be checked season by season) is the realm of family skiing, with the sunny slopes and the many services of the plateau; it is high season, so it pays to book ahead, especially over the holidays. Summer (from June to September) is the season of Lake Lavarone, trekking, cycling and history, with a cool climate and long days among the woods.
The shoulder seasons are the quietest: in autumn the plateau’s forests light up and the villages are quieter, while in late spring the snow retreats and the summer mountain is not yet fully open, so it’s worth checking openings and connections. In December, moreover, the Alpe Cimbra hosts charming markets and nativity scenes: see the guide to Christmas markets.
Getting there
Folgaria and the Alpe Cimbra are reached by car from the Brenner motorway (A22): you exit at Rovereto Nord or Trento and climb a few kilometres onto the plateau along scenic roads. The closeness to Trento, Rovereto and Verona makes the Alpe Cimbra one of the handiest mountain destinations to reach. The reference railway stations are Rovereto and Trento, from which scheduled buses continue. The nearest airports are Verona, Bergamo, Venice and Milan.
Once on the plateau, you get around well with the buses and ski buses that link Folgaria, Lavarone and Lusérn with the lifts and the lake, and with the Trentino Guest Card, often included by the properties, public transport is even better value. A car remains handy for exploring the forts and the hamlets. For the full picture on motorway, trains and airports of the region, see the guide how to get to Trentino-Alto Adige.
This guide is part of our grand journey through the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Folgaria.
Which is the best base for staying on the Alpe Cimbra?
Folgaria is the main town and the handiest base on the plateau, with the lifts, the shops and the services within reach, ideal for skiing and as a starting point for exploring the whole Alpe Cimbra. Lavarone, with its lake, and Lusérn, heart of the Cimbrian culture, are smaller and quieter. The villages are close and connected, so the choice is above all a question of atmosphere.
Is Folgaria suitable for families?
Very much so: the Ski Area Alpe Cimbra is famous for its family focus, with nursery slopes, children’s areas and easy runs, and in winter it organises lots of activities for the little ones. In summer Lake Lavarone, the walks in the woods and the forts to visit are perfect with children. Many properties are designed for families, with dedicated services and prices to suit every budget.
Where to stay for skiing in Folgaria?
The handiest base is Folgaria itself, close to the lifts of Costa, Fondo Grande and Serrada, with several properties a stone’s throw from the slopes and some ski-in ski-out. The Ski Area Alpe Cimbra is a wide, sunny ski area, part of the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta consortium. To compare the region’s ski areas and find the right hotel, see our guide on where to stay for skiing.
What to see on the Alpe Cimbra besides skiing?
The plateau guards a unique historical heritage: the forts of the Great War, such as the Belvedere-Gschwent Fort at Lavarone, and Base Tuono, a former Cold War missile base now a museum. At Lusérn the Cimbrian culture is kept alive, with the museum and the ancient Germanic language. In summer there are the swimmable Lake Lavarone, the astronomical observatory and plenty of trails and cycle paths among woods and mountain pastures.
How do you get to Folgaria?
Folgaria is easily reached by car from the A22, exiting at Rovereto Nord or Trento and climbing a few kilometres onto the plateau: the closeness to Trento, Rovereto and Verona makes it one of the handiest mountain destinations. By train you arrive at Rovereto or Trento and continue with the scheduled buses. On the spot the ski buses link the villages and the lifts, and with the Trentino Guest Card public transport is good value.
