Le Creste
A very varied route connecting all the hills surrounding Vittorio Veneto. It has been known for many years to trail running enthusiasts who meet in February for a self-managed race; over time, under various names (Seven Ridges Trail – Five Ridges Trail), it has attracted numerous athletes, even from outside the region. Although the description does not faithfully follow the original route, it offers the possibility of a itinerary that, although rather challenging, can be very rewarding.
Itinerary at a glance:
Piazza Giovanni Paolo I – Castello di San Martino – Cresta di San Paolo – Cresta del Monte Altare – Cresta della Bigontina – Cresta del Monte Piai – Cresta del Monte Baldo – (Cresta di Serravalle – Cresta di Fregona) – Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. The descriptions also include some possibilities for a quick return in case of need.
– Option 1: Trail V10 to Via Piai – Cresta di Serravalle – Costa di Fregona – Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. (25.550 km)
– Option 2: Trail V10 to Via Piai – Colle di Santa Augusta – Trails V1 and V3 – Cresta di Serravalle – Costa di Fregona Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. (a loop of over fifty kilometres)
Trail for
Hiking
Trail Running
Nordic Walking
Distance
25 km (first)
31,4 km (option 1)
Elevation gain
1600 m (first)
2200 m (full trail)
Difficulty
Hard
Start
Piazza Giovanni Paolo I
Indicazioni su Google Maps
End
Piazza Giovanni Paolo I
Indicazioni su Google Maps
Mobile coverage
Almost continuous
Recommended footwear
Trail running or hiking boots
Water locations
Case Dottor/Botteon, Grotta dell’Angelo, Borgo Castagnè, Parco Segreto, scalinata di Santa Augusta, Santuario di Santa Augusta, Chiesa della Madonna della Salute, via Diaz
* alcune fontane possono essere chiuse nella stagione invernale
Points of interests
Piazza Giovanni Paolo I · Cattedrale e Musei · Castello di San Martino · la croce posta sull’anticima del Monte Altare · la “scala dei Cleromanti” Chiesette di San Paolo e di San Rocco · Parco Segreto · Ruderi di S. Antonio · Scalinata di Santa Augusta · Santuario di Santa Augusta · Madonna della Salute · I borghi · Cave di “piera dolza” (arenaria) i panorami in genere.
Map
Casa Editrice Tabacco 068 Prealpi Trevigiane e Bellunesi – Monte Cesen – Col Visentin (Scala 1/25.000).
Trail
Start
Km 0.00 – The route starts from Piazza Giovanni Paolo I (commonly known as Piazza Duomo). Leaving the Cathedral behind, head towards the fountain and turn right onto Via Brevia, which climbs steeply. After about 150 meters, you will reach the intersection with Via San Rocco and Via Cavertino. Continue straight ahead, climbing steadily. Where the road levels out, you will notice the signs for Trail V11 on the left. Proceed walking under the arch of Cardinal Della Torre, from where you can see the Castle of San Martino, which you will reach shortly after.
Castle of San Martino
Km 0.750 – Turn left and enter the castle car park, continuing uphill on Trail no. 1041, which winds its way through the trees. After a few dozen metres, the trail makes a 180° turn and starts heading more steeply uphill, quickly reaching the aqueduct reservoir. Keep going along the main trail, which winds around a few times, until you reach a crossroads.
St Paul's Ridge
Km 1.050 – Proceed straight ahead, uphill at a steeper gradient, until you reach the ridge of Colle di San Paolo.
Km 1.200 – Continuing up and down the ridge with some more challenging parts, you will reach a cave. Ignore the path that climbs to the left and continue along the path that passes under the buildings until you reach the avenue of cypress trees that leads to the small church of San Paolo al Monte.
Km 1.450 – Retrace your steps downhill along the path to the “San Zuane” gate, a stone archway that leads to a rather uneven descent (Trail1042A). After a few dozen metres, the slope becomes gentler and the ground improves.
(• From the church, you can return to the starting point in Piazza Giovanni Paolo I by following the signs for Trail V11).
Km 1.800 – Keep right at the fork, the dirt road narrows to a path and you will come to three junctions in quick succession. Go straight ahead at the first one, then keep right at the next two, continuing downhill until you reach the fence of the Case Segat, commonly known as ‘the German’s house’. Here, on the right, you can see an old drinking trough. After a sharp bend, you reach the end of the descent and then begin to climb a small landslide section, continuing on a slight incline along the easy path.
Km 2.200 – Keep left at the crossroads and head uphill until you reach the fence of Case Segat.
Ridge of Mount Altare
Km 2.300 – After a few steps, leave the level path, which continues on flat ground (this is the only section that you walk twice; continuing straight ahead will take you back to the starting point), and turn right, beginning the uphill climb up the slopes of Monte Altare. After a few dozen metres, you will emerge from the vegetation and see the white cross on the hilltop above. Re-enter the woods and continue climbing until you reach a sharp bend where the slope becomes gentler. At the next bend, ignore the trail that branches off to the left and continue climbing until you reach a small ridge.
Km 2.750 – From the small ridge, turn left and climb directly towards the cross, following the trail that winds its way up a rocky stretch. Once you reach the secondary summit and the cross, continue along the ridge, taking time to admire the stunning view. After about fifty metres on a slight slope, at a fork, take the path on the left, continuing to climb and following the various ups and downs, with some more challenging points, that characterise the ridge.
Km 3.550 – After a short descent, you reach a staircase made of stone steps leading to the top of Monte Altare. The staircase was unearthed a few years ago and someone called it the “Cleromanti staircase” as it is believed that in pre-Christian times, divination rituals were performed on the top of Monte Altare (also called Colle Maledicto).
Km 3.600 – From the peak, take the path that descends through the trees on the right for about a hundred metres. It is quite steep and slippery when wet. The slope then becomes gentler and, ignoring all the crossroads, continue along the path that makes a wide arc at the top of what was once the “Prà Liss” – smooth lawn – now, contrary to its name, almost completely covered by trees.
Km 3.800 – After passing a bench and a crossroads on the right, the main path continues to descend, gently at first and then more steeply.
Km 4.200 – Keep right at the crossroads. After a few dozen metres, the path (which is rather muddy after rain) widens and then reaches a cluster of houses (Case Foda).
Km 4.500 – Once past the houses, the trail begins to descend on a concrete road until the second hairpin bend.
Km 5.050 – Take the dirt road that leads off to the left, continuing downhill.
Shrine of St. Rita and Shrine of St. Rocco
Km 6.000 – Leave the dirt road and take the path that branches off to the left. A hundred metres or so after a bend, you will see the shrine dedicated to Saint Rita.
Km 6.600 – At the crossroads, the path descends steeply to the right to the concrete road below, where you continue downhill, keeping to the right.
Km 6.900 – At the crossroads, keep left and climb up the dirt road which, after the top of the short climb, descends again onto a concrete surface.
Km 7.500 – At the junction between Via dei Posoccon, Via San Paolo and Via San Rocco, keep right and go up the dirt road until you reach the small temple dedicated to San Rocco. Continue downhill until you reach Via San Fris, where you will see a shrine dedicated to San Rocco.
(• From here, you can return to the starting point in Piazza Giovanni Paolo I by following the directions for Trails V11, V12, and V13.)
Bigontina Ridge
Km 7.800 – Keep to the right along the Cervada stream until you reach a small bridge.
Km 8.050 – When you reach the junction with the trail leading to the “Perdonanze”, cross a small bridge and take trail 1042, which climbs uphill, passing under the motorway viaduct. The trail climbs up the Val Sian, continuing straight along the main trail and ignoring the first sign for “Cresta Bigontina Esperti”.
Km 8.700 – At the remains of a wooden table, leave the main trail and take the path on the left, which effectively reverses its direction, heading uphill on the side of Colle della Bigontina. The slope becomes steeper until, after a few sharp hairpin bends, you reach the ridge.
Km 9.600 – Turn right, and keep heading uphill along the Cresta della Bigontina, which has loads of changes in gradient.
Km 11.300 – Reach the last peak and turn onto the left-hand track, which descends steeply. After a few dozen metres, the trail turns into a sheep track. After about two hundred metres, leave the small road and take a path on the right that quickly leads to the dirt road below.
Km 11.550 – Turn right heading downhill and, after travelling along a concrete ramp, start climbing again until you reach Case Dottor/Botteon (fountain) after another short steep ramp. You can return to Ceneda by taking the path that climbs to the right at the edge of the vineyard (shortcut arrow marked V13).
Km 12.000 – Continue straight ahead (trail no. 1050), ignoring trail no. 1042 which climbs to the right, just behind the house, and then follow the main dirt road which, as the gradient increases, becomes paved.
Monte Piai Ridge
Km 12.500 – You reach the small church dedicated to the Madonna di Loreto, commonly known as Chiesetta delle Perdonanze. The road, which is unpaved again, begins to descend and then continues with various ups and downs.
Km 13.050 – At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and after a short climb you will reach the “Grotta dell’Angelo” (fountain). Continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads, where a grassy road climbs uphill on the right.
Km 13.550 – The trail climbs until it reaches an abandoned house (Casa Frassinelli), where you turn sharply right towards the house. Take the trail that climbs steeply through the trees towards Monte Piai.
Km 14.000 – You reach the first peak and begin to follow the long ridge of Monte Piai, with its countless changes in gradient.
Km 14.950 – Once you reach the top of the climb, you begin to descend and, after a few hairpin bends, you drop down to a small pass, where you will find trail 1042 and V13.
Km 15.350 – Ignore the path that descends to the right towards Case Dottor/Botteon and continue straight on. After passing a cattle fence, you will soon reach a panoramic hill.
Borgo Castagnè
Km 15.400 – From here, the view extends towards the Pre-Alps, where you can see Col Visentin, Monte Pizzoc, Teverone and other peaks in the Alpago chain. Now head down the steepest slope on a well-marked trail, making sure to take the path that branches off to the left: do not go past the fence! After an initial stretch of slight incline, the path goes through a turnstile and then descends through the trees, becoming more challenging due to the uneven ground and slope. It can be particularly slippery after heavy rainfall.
Km 15.750 – You will reach a dirt road, turn right, first slightly downhill and then uphill until you reach a house where the asphalt road begins. After a flat stretch, descend towards Borgo Castagnè (fountain on the left). Staying on the main road, pass between the houses until the end of the descent, then climb back up for a few hundred metres.
Monte Baldo ridge
Km 16.850 – We are in Castello; cross the road and continue straight on the concrete road that immediately climbs (you will see a sign indicating trail 1042). After a steep ramp, the slope levels out after about 250 metres and the view opens up onto Monte Piai, Borgo Castagnè and the plain. From this point, you can return to Piazza Giovanni Paolo I by going down the path and then the paved road, following the signs for route V13. After a bend, the road surface becomes concrete and climbs steeply again until you reach a private hut called “Baita da Ciano e amighi”. Turn left onto a dirt road and after a few dozen metres you will come to a gate (always close it behind you, as there may be livestock grazing).
Km 17.450 – At the crossroads, turn right and climb up the dirt road along trail no. 1043; shortly afterwards, when you reach a meadow with a high ground, keep left and continue climbing. The road then makes a hairpin bend and after about 150 metres turns into a path. After a few dozen metres, this path levels out, then descends briefly and continues with ups and downs.
Km 18.000 – Once you reach a small crest, keep to the right and you will soon reach the cross of Monte Baldo, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of Revine, Col Visentin, the Alpago mountains and Monte Pizzoc. Continue with caution as the next section is particularly steep, with rocks and protruding roots, and can be particularly treacherous in muddy conditions. Once you reach the small gorge below, climb again and then continue along the ridge with countless ups and downs. The trail in this section is truly rewarding and enjoyable to walk.
Km 18.800 – Junction with trail 1042A ( a way back, the trail reaches Borgo Vignola and from here, going down until you cross the provincial road Vittorio Veneto – S. Lorenzo – Tarzo, you will find the trail markers for trail V13 which takes you back to Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. Our itinerary, however, continues straight along the ridge, alternating between ups and downs.
Km 19.400 – You reach a new small crest, where you will find the signpost “Con Alti”. Keep to the right as you descend along some earthen steps. After a bend, you enter a sort of tunnel of vegetation until you reach the first old chestnut trees, which once provided a source of income for local families, where the trail levels out. After a slight incline, the path through the chestnut trees begins to descend rapidly.
Ruins of St. Antonio
Km 20.500 – You will reach the ruins of the church dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate, located on a grassy plateau (Terrazza degli Artiglieri), a fascinating natural pulpit above the Serravalle pass, facing Colle di Sant’Augusta. The route continues down a steep descent to a junction.
Km 20.700 – At the junction, turn left and proceed downhill until you reach a dirt road. Continue along a wooden fence until you reach a concrete road, where you turn left. From this point, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the historic centre of Serravalle. Continue downhill until you reach a gate that leads to the cobbled and characteristic Via Piai.
Via Piai (variations possibilities)
There are two options at this point: extend the route with two possible variations, or return to the starting point in Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. In the first case (Option 1, description continues at the bottom), keep left until you reach Via Roma and immediately afterwards the beautiful Piazza Marcantonio Flaminio. In the second case, turn immediately right, go through a gate in the wall and enter Parco Segreto, a quiet little green area with children’s playground and benches, far from traffic but actually just a few steps from the city. There is also a drinking fountain. Walk along the lower edge of the park and exit through the opening on the other side.
Area Fenderl
Km 20.400 – Once you reach Via Niccolò Tommaseo (the entrance to the Dante Alighieri College is on the right), continue slightly uphill on the right along the college wall, passing two roads on the left (Via Francesco Troyer and Via Annibale Pagliarin) until you cross a level crossing. You are now in another small, characteristic village of Vittorio Veneto: Borgo Olarigo. If you take a short detour to the right, you can explore the narrow streets, which at Christmas are transformed into a charming route with wooden decorations, lanterns and small themed corners created by the inhabitants.
Km 21.750 – Back on the main road, turn left onto Via Cal dei Romani and continue until you reach Via Bassano del Grappa. Cross the road and take Via del Meril, which becomes a dirt road after a few metres.
Km 22.100 – When you reach a driveway gate, turn right into Parco Fenderl, a large municipal park with a vast lawn area, located behind the centre of Vittorio Veneto and the railway line, at the foot of Monte Altare. The park features a building dedicated to cultural and social activities, a multi-purpose hall (the Palafenderl), a playground and a small area reserved for municipal vegetable gardens. Due to its characteristics as a green lung located a stone’s throw from the city and its services, the area is often used for sporting events, including international ones, as well as cultural, theatrical and children’s initiatives and shows. Once through the gate, the route immediately turns right, effectively reversing the sense of direction, and follows the paved road along the upper edge of the park.
End of route
Km 22.400 – About halfway along the road, take the dirt track that climbs up to the right. After a few dozen metres, you will pass a barrier and continue climbing at a steady gradient on a concrete surface.
Km 22.800 – About halfway up the ramp, turn left onto a path that first descends, then climbs briefly after a bend, and finally continues with a short climb and then a slight descent.
Km 23.100 – Take an uphill path on the right – the entire Monte Altare is distinguished by a myriad of interconnected paths, forming a sort of “green gym” for runners and lovers of hill walks – while continuing straight ahead would take you to the small temple of San Gottardo. Continue until you cross another trail.
Km 23.200 – Here, turn left and follow two steep bends in succession, then the slope becomes gentler. Continue climbing, ignoring all the paths on the left.
Km 23.450 – At the junction with the trail that climbs up from Salsa, keep left going downhill and stay on the main trail until you reach the paved road near the football pitch.
Km 23.950 – Keep right, climbing up the paved road which, after the hairpin bend, becomes a dirt road and, after a steep, short concrete ramp, reaches the castle of San Martino.
Km 24.550 – Keep right, retracing the initial section of the route along Via Brevia, which descends back to Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. (Km 25.300)
Options
Option 1 (from Via Piai)
Km 20.700 – At the crossroads, turn left and continue downhill until you reach a dirt road. Continue along a wooden fence until you reach a concrete road, where you turn left. From this point, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the historic centre of Serravalle. Continue downhill until you reach a gate that leads to the cobbled and characteristic Via Piai. Keep left and continue downhill until you reach Via Roma. Turn right and in a few steps you will arrive at the beautiful Piazza Marcantonio Flaminio. Cross the square towards the Duomo di Serravalle and, continuing along Via Calcada, you will reach the steps leading to the sanctuary of Santa Augusta, one of the most popular walks in Vittorio Veneto, particularly dear to the inhabitants of Serravalle, of which Sant’Augusta is the patron saint. Even today, the cult of the saint is renewed by sacred and profane rites that, after more than a thousand years, are still celebrated on the feast day of Sant’Augusta (22 August). (Directions for Trail V2)
Km 21.050 Climb the steps and, after passing through a stone arch topped by a statue of the saint, continue along the well-maintained walkway. Interspersed with stone steps, the walkway winds its way past numerous votive chapels and, after a spectacular, steep staircase, finally leads to the sanctuary dedicated to Saint Augusta.
Km 22.100 – Once you reach the church (with a drinking fountain on the right-hand side), you cannot help but stop and admire the stunning view from the panoramic terrace on which the church stands. There is also a bar-trattoria here, which is usually open at weekends. From the square, a steep path branches off to the right, climbing up Monte Marcantone and the Sant’Augusta ridge (identified on the map as Costa di Serravalle, Trail 980, Alta Via No. 6). The initial section is rather rough and particularly slippery when wet.
Option 2
The option 2 involves, once you reach the Sanctuary of Sant’Augusta, following routes V1 – V3 in succession, and possibly also V4, for an additional distance of over 20 kilometres, thus discovering some of the numerous trails in Val Lapisina, the northernmost area of Vittorio Veneto. The indicated alternatives lead to Lago Morto. For detailed descriptions of routes V1, V3 and V4, please refer to the relevant pages.
Back in Piazza Marcantonio Flaminio, it is then still possible to take option 1, thus completing a long loop of over fifty kilometres.
Km 22.250 – You reach the striking ‘Turris Nigra’, part of the fortifications built to defend Serravalle. According to popular tradition, this was the home of Saint Augusta and her father, King Matruch (or Mandrucco), the fierce barbarian tyrant of Serravalle. All that remains of the tower, which may date back to Roman times, are modest ruins overgrown with vegetation, severely damaged by the earthquake of 1873. Here, the trail levels out briefly before continuing to climb. We are now on the V2 ‘Delle due Coste’ trail. The route continues with a long series of climbs alternating with short descents and sections of false flat, always on a comfortable and easy path that winds through the woods, until it reaches a bend where there is a wide view of the hills below and the plain.
Km 24.100 – You reach a widening where a small dirt road on the left allows you to descend towards Scarpedal and then Borgo Maren and the paved road. The route, however, continues straight ahead, first uphill on more uneven terrain, then turning sharply to the left into a gorge, at the exit of which the slope decreases. Leave the main path, which climbs, and take the path that descends sharply to the right, changing direction. After about 300 metres, you will exit the woods and, flanking a fence, continue downhill across a meadow, passing an antenna, to reach a group of rural dwellings (close the gate). Continue downhill on a road that alternates between concrete and dirt sections until you reach the paved road near the Astronomical Observatory in Piadera.
Km 25.250 – Keep to the right and continue downhill on an asphalt road, passing the restaurant ‘Dal Selvaggio’ until you reach a three-way junction. Here, leave the asphalt road and take the dirt road that climbs up into the woods; after about 300 metres, keep right and then immediately right again, continuing to climb moderately – now on a path – passing some old sandstone quarries, known in the local dialect as ‘piera dolza’, widely used in the past in construction due to its ease of working.
Km 26.900 – Ignore the path that descends to the left and begin to walk along the Costa di Fregona, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view that slopes down towards the plain.
Km 28.000 – After passing a short rocky stretch, the trail turns sharply to the left. At the fork, keep left, effectively reversing the direction of travel and continuing on flat ground. After about 130 metres, you will reach another fork. Turn right and continue downhill until you reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Salute. The church, rebuilt on the site of a pre-existing temple, was built to protect against the plague. Passing in front of the church, go down a few steps (fountain), then take the cobbled descent, which leads down to the valley with many steps and turns. (Here you leave the itinerary V2). When you reach the first houses, follow Via Madonna della Salute until you cross Via Dalmazia.
Km 29.100 – Cross Via Dalmazia, turn left and then immediately right at Osteria alla Salute; take Via dei Corder, which slopes slightly downwards. When you reach a large car park in front of the Victoria Sport complex, continue straight ahead across Via Luigino De Nadai, then continue along Via dei Corder, which further on becomes a dirt road and continues along the municipal athletics track on the right, characterised by a monumental and characteristic domestic pine tree, and a school building on the left. At the crossroads, turn left and then right, crossing a small bridge over the River Meschio. Continue along the river, first on Via Lungo Meschio and then on Via del Maniero, passing behind the church of Santa Maria del Meschio, which houses a splendid altarpiece by Andrea Previtali dedicated to the Annunciation. Then turn right and cross the square to the traffic lights.
Km 30.200 – At the traffic lights, continue straight along Via Armando Diaz (there is a drinking fountain on the left just before the intersection with Via Galileo Galilei) and follow this road all the way to Piazza San Francesco.
Km 30.600 – Keep going straight, climbing more steeply along Via Girolamo Lioni. After the roundabout, keep going straight on Via Umberto Cosmo, returning to the starting point in Piazza Giovanni Paolo I. (km 31.400)
Map o ftrail
Interactive map
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