The Old Trades Path leads to the discovery of the ancient historic route that for ages has connected the two banks of the Cembra Valley.
By virtue of this connection, marriages were frequent, for example, between families of the Municipality of Sover and others originating from Grauno and Grumes, while the paths leading to the Lower Adige (area of Salorno, Egna, and Ora) ensured seasonal labor exchange through the Dossone di Cembra. A route that seemed irretrievably lost following the 1966 flood and is now at the center of a comprehensive recovery program. The walk reveals the ethnographic fabric of the upper valley through constructions and workshops that in some cases operated until the 1950s: lime kilns for firing lime, which is not easy to find in a geological setting dominated by Permian porphyry at all levels; mills powered by diversion of important watercourses; and forges where metal and fabrics were worked. The natural component is equally remarkable. The Avisio gorge in this section presents a high level of naturalness.
Choose a path suitable for your physical condition
Bring appropriate clothing and equipment
Check the weather forecast
Starting alone is risky, bring your mobile phone
Leave information about your itinerary and approximate return time
If unsure, don't hesitate to rely on a professional guide
Pay attention to signs and markers along the way
In case of tiredness or problems, don't hesitate to turn back
In case of accident call 112
As you can imagine, the passability of trails in a mountainous environment is closely linked to current conditions and depends on natural phenomena, environmental changes and weather conditions. For this reason, the information contained in this sheet may have changed. Before setting off, check the condition of the route by contacting the managers of the refuges on your route, alpine guides, visitor centers of natural parks, and tourist offices.
Starting point
Grauno
Directions
From Grauno, you descend to the Avisio stream, first on comfortable roads, then on trails immersed in a wild and charming landscape. This route was used in past years by the inhabitants of Grauno to cultivate land almost to the banks of the Avisio stream. Notable were also the passages for small commercial exchanges with Sover, Montesover, and Piscine, or purely for friendship or family visits. These contacts ceased in 1966 when a flood swept away the bridge connecting the two banks of the Avisio, and only in 2009, with its reconstruction, were they able to resume (Pont da la Rio). From the small Molini Farm, just across the Avisio stream, turning left you can follow the "Old Trades Path." It is a very evocative path that runs alongside the stream for a long stretch, reaching Maso Pianacci; from here you climb a steep little road up to Piscine. From there you reach Sover by following the dirt road (fitness path) that branches off in the lower part of the village or by following the main road, then descending again to Molini. Crossing the Avisio bridge again you reach Maso La Rio, and continuing, you follow another section of the "Old Trades Path" which allows you to climb back to Grauno. From Maso La Rio you encounter the ruins of mills abandoned since the 1960s; the "blacksmith's forge" recently restored as well as the "Venetian sawmill" located beside the old state road. Further up is the "Cristofori mill", from where you return to Grauno in a few minutes. Unforgettable are the landscape views you can admire along this itinerary.
How to get there
Coming from the A22 Brenner motorway, both from the south and the north, exit at Trento Nord tollbooth (distance from tollbooth 22.5 km), travel north along the S.S. 12 Brenner towards the Lavis junction, then take the S.S. 612 Lavis - Castello di Fiemme which leads to the Cembra Valley.
Trekking shoes, waterproof jacket, trekking poles, water, snacks, and sunscreen.
