Bosco Caproni

Overview

Bosco Caproni is an extraordinary environment located a few steps from the town of Arco di Trento in the splendid Valle del Sarca, a valley that offers countless hiking trails of high environmental value, as well as countless walls for climbing multipitches and cliffs. The climate is extremely favorable for outdoor activities all year round. Bosco Caproni extends for about 44 hectares at the base of the western slope of Monte Stivo.

It is accessible from the Arcense hamlet of Massone or from the Moletta locality. The area took this name to have been owned by Gianni Caproni, aeronautical engineer known as "air pioneer", born in  Massone in  the year 1866, who purchased these and other lands. The area it's currently owned by the Municipality of Arco and traditionally it has also the names of Monte Patone, Vastrè or Lumegazer.

Inside the forest it has been created a historical-naturalistic itinerary that allows you to discover both the fascinating environment of the oolite quarries and the shady forest from a naturalistic point of view, as well as the remains of the First World War. You can also observe the signs left by the large Quaternary glacier, the work of man who exploited the oolite quarries to build pipes and statues, but also as an air-raid shelter. The trenches, indelible signs of the WWI or Great War, offer extraordinary views of the Sarca Valley.

Getting There

Bosco Caproni nearest town is Arco di Trento. There are different access to Bosco Caproni, the main are the hamlet of Massone and the locality of Moletta.

Road approach

Drive on the A22 Brennero motorway,  exit Rovereto Sud - Lago di Garda Nord and follow the road 240 in the direction of Riva del Garda, Nago and Arco. At the roundabout in Nago branch right to Arco. At the first roundabout in Arco take to the right the state road 45 bis (signpost to Trento and Dro), then you will meet the junction with Massone and the locality of Moletta.

History

Giovanni Battista Caproni - known as Gianni - was an aeronautical engineer, business owner and pioneer of aviation born in Trentino in the hamlet of di Massone - at that time Austrian territory - in the year 1886. He graduated in Engineering in Monaco di Baviera and was strongly attracted to the art of flying. During a stay in France he attended some flight experiments and met the first aviation experts. He returned to Arco with the will to build his own plane and built his first biplane with the help of some local craftsmen. Subsequently his planes began to make an important contribution in the events of the WWI and at the end of the war about 40,000 workers were employed in the Caproni industries.
His great love for nature and the mountains surrounding Arco led him to rent six hundred hectares of almost totally unproductive municipal land to carry out reforestation enterprise, giving work, also on this occasion, to dozens of unemployed. The splendid fruits of this huge enterprise are now the majestic trees that developed from the thousands of seedlings planted in the 1940s: the Bosco Caproni.

Itineraries

In the Bosco Caproni it is possible to take a walk of about 3 hours along some paths immersed in the forest along which it is possible to see many traces of the past from the olite quarries, low medium and high, to the Austrian trenches of the First World War. You can also admire the signs of the erosion of time and the wide panoramas of Arco, the Sarca Valley and the mountains surrounding Lake Garda. This is the most complete itinerary, a loop tour starting from Moletta through the SAT path n. 667. 

Type of experience: hike in a natural environment, of great historical and naturalistic interest
Suitable for: everyone
Duration: ½ day
Difficulty: easy
Difference in altitude: 300 m
Length: 5 km

Red Tape

There are no fees no permits required.

Season

All year round

Accomodation

This area is a primary touristic destination, offering several hotels, agriturismo, bed and breakfast, renting rooms and apartments in Arco, Dro and Ceniga. Camping in Arco.

Arco Lago di Garda info

Meteo

Meteotrentino

External Links

Middle mountain guide Letizia Rossi