There are those who run a marathon, those who tackle a mountain bike race and those who, instead, decide to launch themselves at full speed down a slope chasing a five-kilogram wheel of cheese. This is the essence of the Italian Cheese Rolling Championship, the most original and unpredictable event of the early summer in Trentino, which again in 2026 has transformed the San Valentino meadows of Brentonico, on Monte Baldo, into a gigantic outdoor stage.
Now in its fourteenth edition (the first was held in 2008 and, after a series of interruptions, it restarted in 2022), the event continues to grow and attract participants, curious people and tourists from all over Italy and also from abroad. A success that confirms how much this competition has now become a permanent fixture in the panorama of the country’s most unusual sporting events.
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The craziest challenge of the year
The rules are as simple as they are spectacular. A wheel of cheese is rolled down a particularly steep slope and the competitors, at the starting signal, chase it trying to reach it before their opponents. Between spectacular falls, sudden slips, desperate chases and daring attempts to maintain balance, the result is a show that immediately captivates the audience.
The race takes place on the famous “Muro” slope of San Valentino, a stretch which during the winter hosts expert skiers and which, for one day, transforms into the ideal terrain for a discipline where gravity always seems to have the last word.
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From England to Trentino: a tradition that crosses Europe
The event takes inspiration from the historic competition at Cooper’s Hill, in Gloucestershire, England, where the Cheese Rolling has become a true institution capable of attracting thousands of spectators every year.
Brentonico is today considered the second official headquarters in the world of this curious discipline. A recognition that has contributed to giving further visibility to the entire territory of the Brentonico plateau. The day is not limited to the main race. The program also includes the traditional Mezzogiorno Verticale, an uphill test that tests stamina and athletic preparation before the highly anticipated afternoon heats.
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Safety and fun go hand in hand
Despite the playful tone of the event, the organizers pay great attention to safety. Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and appropriate footwear are mandatory for all participants. A necessary precaution considering the speed reached during the descent and the unpredictability of the terrain. Precisely this combination of competition, entertainment and irony makes the Cheese Rolling a one-of-a-kind event.
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The tourist value of an event outside the box
Behind the fun aspect of the race there is also a significant opportunity for the area. Hotels, refuges, restaurants and local activities benefit from the arrival of hundreds of visitors who choose to spend a weekend surrounded by nature, sport and gastronomy. In fact, the event contributes to promoting the beauty of Monte Baldo, transforming an apparently bizarre race into an effective tool for promoting tourism.
A reflection on food waste
While maintaining the ironic and spectacular character of the event, the topic of food waste deserves a brief reflection. It is not clear what happens to the shapes used in the competition, whether they are reused or lost. In times when we are increasingly talking about the fight against food waste, the idea that a five kilo wheel is simply sacrificed for show can only make many turn up their noses. Even in a competition created to entertain and get a few laughs, it is essential to remember that food, even before a trophy, is a precious resource.
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