This itinerary starts in the protected area the Marocche (Dro) where it first climbs to Drena Caste along the old “Roman road”, a medieval mule track, and from there to the chapel of Madonna di Fatima where there is a spectacular view of the hamlet and castle from above.
The Marocche is an area which is protected because of its unique geology and natural environment: it is in fact, the largest postglacial landslide in the entire Alps, an imposing mass of rocky material forming a lunar landscape, the habitat of plants and animals which have adapted to the particular aridity of the environment.
Drena Castle, which once belonged to the counts of Arco, is mentioned as far back as the 12th century and used to enclose the road for Cavedine, one of the few roads at the time connecting the Garda area with Trento.
For this very reason it was destroyed by General Vendòme in 1703. Recently restored, it now houses a little museum which displays archaeological finds.
Warning! At various points on the trail you have to cross the main road (S.P. 84) without any pedestrian crossing.
The Hidden Treasures itineraries were designed in order to give visitors a chance to get to know places in Garda Trentino that are off the beaten track. For this reason, the signposting is not always in the same style and sometimes missing altogether. We therefore recommend you to take a good map with you on these excursions. And then bear in mind your general reference points: Lake Garda = South, Monte Stivo = East, Rocchetta = West, Arco Castle = North.
The telephone number for the emergency services is 112.
The information on this chart is subject to inevitable variations, so this means that none of the indications are absolute. It is not entirely possible to avoid giving inexact or imprecise information, given how quickly environmental and weather conditions can change. For this reason we decline any responsibility for changes which the user may encounter. In any case, the hiker is advised to check the conditions of the places, environment and weather before setting out.
Start from the car park for the Marocche protected area in Lavini, situated along the main road (S.P. 84) from Dro to Drena. First follow directions for the nearby Rio Sallagoni via ferrata, turning left at the first junction near a cement doorway. Continue along this dirt track until you come back to the main road. Cross here (watching out for traffic) and continue along the track between the road and orchard through the woods as far as the castle. This final stretch of trail, known as the “Roman Road”, is actually a mule track dating back to the Middle Ages, is also called “brozzera” because of the ruts left by carts (“brozzi” in local dialect).
Cross the main road a second time and you come to the castle. After a visit, continue along the main road in the direction of Cavedine (via Roma), past the nearby chapel of San Vigilio and the Miner's Monument. At the next bus stop, cross the road and turn onto the trail signposted “Madonna di Fatima”. Head up the steps to the sanctuary which consists of a group of statues of Our Lady of Fatima and the three little shepherds at the mouth of a little grotto made in 1943 by some local miners who had emigrated to Belgium.
Just make your way back to return to the car park.
Drena is connected with the other towns in Garda Trentino by the number 304 intercity bus line. You can get off on request in the Marocche area on the way out and for the return trip there are two bus stops in via Roma. Details and timetables: www.gardatrentino.it
Getting to northern lake Garda / Garda Trentino: www.gardatrentino.it
| Distance | 7,6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 2 h 20 min | |
| Altitude difference (+) | 212 m | |
| Status |
open
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| Distance | 9,7 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 2 h 35 min | |
| Altitude difference (+) | 77 m | |
| Status |
open
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| Distance | 1,0 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 40 min | |
| Altitude difference (+) | 31 m | |
| Status |
open
|
| Distance | 4,3 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 1 h 30 min | |
| Altitude difference (+) | 190 m | |
| Status |
open
|
| Distance | 8,0 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 3 h 30 min | |
| Altitude difference (+) | 391 m | |
| Status |
open
|
| Distance | 1,6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity time | 30 min | |
| Altitude difference (+) | 19 m | |
| Status |
open
|
