Hike to the Eremo di San Lorenzo

We undertake this hike on a beautiful Sunday in April when the first spring heralds and scents enrich the air.

From Borgo Valsugana we take the road to the Val di Sella which is particularly known for the Arte Sella, an itinerary featuring various art installations, and reach the Ristorante Al Legno and its car park after eight kilometres.

With our hiking shoes on and the backpack on our shoulders, we follow the signposts for path SAT 210 which initially runs along a forest road covered with dry leaves. As we enter the Val di Croce, we can already see the first spring heralds. Having crossed the valley we arrive at Bocchetta Val di Croce (1,120 m a.s.l.) where we meet another forest road coming from northeast.

From the Bocchetta, a path with hairpin bends takes us to the hill where the Eremo di San Lorenzo (1,185 m a.s.l.) with its ancient hermitage building stands. The hermitage can be visited only in the months of July and August, however, today we are lucky enough to meet the custodian whose family has been taking care of the hermitage since more than 150 years and who gently allows us to access the church with its precious frescoes. In the heritage you can literally feel a welcoming, peaceful atmosphere which invites visitors to pause and reflect. Time seems to stand still in this monument boasting a century-old history. After the visit we enjoy a well-deserved break and relax before heading to Cima Armentera.

After our lunch break we return along the same path to Bocchetta della Val Croce where we take a forest path leading uphill in switchbacks on the north-eastern side of Monte Armentera. After the first uphill section we arrive at a small clearing where a wide view of the Valsugana opens up. We continue ascending on an even steeper path to Cima Armentera and its wooden cross. Once on the summit we stop for a short break to enjoy the natural landscape around us before descending towards la Bocchetta and returning to the car park along the same path.

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From the Cima Armentera you can continue towards Cima della Stanga along the forest crest on an unmarked, partially exposed path. After Cima della Stanga another unmarked itinerary branches off at a junction after a hairpin bend and descends across the forests of the Val Viscera in switchbacks before rejoining the forest road we walked along before. This rewarding version should be tried only by adventurous and experienced hikers as it is not easy to find the right path.

Please note: the version explained in this text with a side trip to Cima Armentera is ranked as difficult. If you take the easy path at the San Lorenzo hermitage without scaling the summit, the difficulty level of the path drops to medium with 3 hours and 15 minutes of walking time and 480 metres of difference in altitude.

Date of the hike: 17 April 2011
Last updated in: 2026

Author: EC