The Soligo Hills, the gems of Montello, Asolo, and on the shores of Prosecco
DAY 1 - The Hidden Villages of the Soligo Hills.
The hike starts from the Contà Hotel and winds in a loop that will take us back to the starting point.
The first part of the route takes us along the Soligo River until we reach the foothills. From here we will continue to the most authentic and wild part of the Prosecco foothills, taking us through deciduous forests, which cover the steep slopes. Facing north gives us views of the Pre-Alps and the villages at their foot. Once we reach the ridge, we will pass through the small village of Collagù, which guards the Sanctuary of the same name, a small jewel set amidst one of the best views of the Prosecco Hills, covered with rows of Glera grapes, which lie on the grassy ledges.
Here there will be a chance to stop for a break at Ristoro Collagù, where we can have a taste of local products. Once we get back on the path, we will have another small effort and the fatigue will be repaid by a spectacular view of the plain that stretches south of the hills and accompanies the view as far as the Montello hill, the Colli Asolani and the Susegana Hills.
The last stop on our route is at the Hermitage of San Gallo, a place where the Castle of Soligo once stood, overlooking the Quartier del Piave from above. A mule track through the vineyards will later accompany us back to the parking lot.
Length: 13 km
Elevation gain: 400 m
Duration: 5 to 6 hours
Recommended Equipment:
Hiking shoes or boots, walking poles if used, layered clothing, rain cape or jacket, and at least one liter of water.
DAY 2 - The jewels of Montello: St. Eustace Abbey, the Valley of the Three Sources and the Carthusian Monastery of Montello
The itinerary begins with a visit to St. Eustatius Abbey, an ancient monastic complex built in the 10th century, the ruins of which remain today, making it a magical place.
Afterwards, we will set out on a very evocative route that winds through the woods and valleys of the Montello Pass. Among the morphologies drawn by karstism, we will discover enchanted places such as the Valley of the Three Sources, the Cave of San Girolamo and the place that for centuries housed the Certosa del Montello, of which only stories remain. The last naturalistic emergence of our route is the Val dell'Acqua, one of the few places in Montello, where water flows almost all year round, among woods of white hornbeams.
Surrounded by vineyards, we will be able to taste the wines and products of Fiorotto Farm.
Length: 9 km
Elevation gain: 300 m
Duration: 3.5 to 4.5 hours
Departure:
Nervesa della Battaglia (TV) at the church square, in Piazzale della Chiesa, 1.
Recommended Equipment:
Hiking shoes or boots, walking poles if used, layered clothing, rain cape or jacket, and at least one liter of water.
DAY 3 - Villa Emo and Asolo
The day begins with a visit to Villa Emo, a Venetian villa near Fanzolo, designed by architect Andrea Palladio. Recognized as a UNESCO heritage site in 1996, it is one of Palladio's most accomplished villas. The interiors are richly decorated with frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti.
The day will continue with a visit to the historic center of Asolo, named one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. For many centuries it was a refuge for artists, intellectuals and nobles in search of beauty, which can still be found among the magical views of this town.
We will stop for an aperitif in one of the local bars in the center.
DAY 4 - On the shores of Prosecco.
The hike takes us through the villages of Valdobbiadene, following the mule tracks through the Glera vineyards, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The itinerary starts from San Pietro di Barbozza and immediately heads to the highest part of the Prosecco Hills, giving us breathtaking views of the Colli Asolani, the Montello hill and the hills below. We will climb up to the Church of Sant'Alberto, hidden among the vegetation that descends from the slopes of the Pre-Alps and roofs the grassy verges on which, in rows, are lined up endless rows of vines. We will continue our hike downhill, toward Santo Stefano, another village in the Valdobbiadene area, from which there is a spectacular view of the Cartizze valley, covered with gentle hills where the finest wine of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Hills is produced.
Here it will be possible to indulge in a stop at the Zilli Winery for a tasting of their Prosecco Superiore and local products.
The route continues immersing itself in the vineyards, until it climbs again, this time to the Osteria Senz'Oste, by now a compulsory stop in these areas, where, in an old farmhouse, the owner is never there, but leaves wine, cured meats, cheeses and other specialties of the area available to guests. From here we resume the last part of the itinerary that takes us back to our starting point.
Length: 10 km
Elevation gain: 450 m
Duration: 4.5 to 5.5 hours
Departure:
San Pietro Di Barbozza - Valdobbiadene (TV), at the Church parking lot, Strada Chiesa, 2.
Recommended Equipment:
Hiking shoes or boots, walking poles if used, layered clothing, rain cape or jacket, and at least one liter of water.