Here's the revised version with some new pictures from our second trip to Viote.
One late autumn afternoon we decided to go to Viote on Monte Bondone because I've read somewhere about the newly opened and a bit unusual woodland playground in Viote. We absolutely loved not just the playground but the whole area. It's so near to where we live and yet we have never explored it properly.It must be one of Trento's best kept secrets because if you want to look it up online you won't find anything noteworthy for what to do there during the summer months. It's such a shame because clearly there are plenty of paths in the area. And the view of the nearby Brenta mountains is simply breathtaking.
Monte Bondone dominates Trento and if we look out of our window it's right there in front of us. Still, it took us half an hour to get there because you have to go from Trento which lies at 190m above the sea level to Viote at 1566 m (Centro Fondo of Viote).
We passed through Candriai, Vaneze, Norge and Vason and finally we got to Viote. All the little villages looked deserted but in winter when it really gets busy with skiers we had to drive around for half an hour to find a place to park. Viote lies in a vast flat area surrounded by the mountains. We've seen lots of gentle paths for walking and mountain bike so probably suitable even for strollers. Some of the paths have very nice names like for example il sentiero di fieno or the path of hay/ the hay path. Unfortunately we haven't had time to explore it all so we'll have to go back there. What we managed to do was a short walk following a path from the side of the climbing frames. We did a circle and came back to where we started from. It was a very gentle walk, definitely suitable for buggies. Mind though that it was quite cold (+9 C when in Trento it was +19 C at the time).
We ate at a nearby Rifugio Viote. It was very busy and we had to wait. But the stuff were nice and they apologised to us for making us wait. We had some tea and cakes (Apple strudel and Sachertorte). The tea came in small cups and although we ordered 2 different teas we had only 1 pot of hot water so it wasn't possible to brew our tea properly. Well, it's not South Tyrol. They are not used to drinking tea in Trentino so don't expect a good cuppa. :)I had a look at the menu: they have simple traditional offerings. I saw many locals there so it the food must be enjoyable.
We also visited the Botanical Gardens which are right opposite to the Rifugio Viote. The entrance is free, kids liked the lake and the information signs about birds in Trentino, unfortunately only in Italian.
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| Botanical Gardens at Viote, Rifugio Viote in the far background. |
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| Botanical Gardens at Viote |
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| One of many path suggestions we found at Centro Fondo at Viote. |
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| This is on the picturesque way from Vason to Viote, suitable for strollers as well. |
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| Information stand on the way from Vason to Viote. |
Our children loved the new playground. It's within a woodland area, with lots of wooden climbing frames, 2 very long slides, a very shallow water stream, stepping stones and water games, plenty for your children's imagination.We were also lucky to see some deer nearby and on our way home a fox crossed the road! From there we walked back to Centro Fondo at Viote (cross-country skiing) where our children played at another smaller playground and watched a flock of sheep nearby. One thing should be noted,though, the playground is not suitable for the under 3s. The climbing frames are very big and there are no swings for toddlers.
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| The smaller playground at the Centro Fondo at Viote. |
Duration: it could be just 2 hours, half a day or whole day, there are Malghe nearby (for example Rifugio Viote), you would have to check the opening times though.
Level: easy, suitable for strollers.
How to get there:
By car:
From Trento follow the indications for Monte Bondone (SS45bis). You will have 2 choices: either passing through Sardagna or through Sopramonte. I prefer the latter one because the road is less bendy. Go up, up, up until you get to Viote Centro Fondo, turn right when you see a sign for Rifugio Viote. We parked our car at the empty car park which, judging from the bar and a little hut, you most likely have to pay for during busy periods. This car park is right next to the woodland playground.
From Trento follow the indications for Monte Bondone (SS45bis). You will have 2 choices: either passing through Sardagna or through Sopramonte. I prefer the latter one because the road is less bendy. Go up, up, up until you get to Viote Centro Fondo, turn right when you see a sign for Rifugio Viote. We parked our car at the empty car park which, judging from the bar and a little hut, you most likely have to pay for during busy periods. This car park is right next to the woodland playground.
By bus:
Toilets and refreshments:the closest one is Rifugio Viote next to the playground.
Useful websites:
http://www.apt.tn.it/en/Sport_and_recreation/Trekking_and_excursions/Nature_walks/Nature_walks.htmThe website of the Botanical Gardens at Viote, unfortunately only in Italian for now. The gardens are open in June and September between 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm, and in July and August between 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm. (Info: tel. 0461/948050, bookings: 0461/270311)
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