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Route description for "Valsugana Valley - Veneto - Altino" stretch

We include on the following pages a brief description of the "Valsugana Valley - Veneto - Altino" stretch of the Via Claudia Augusta with their special features and accommodation as you continue your journey from north to south along the Via Claudia Augusta. Although you have to scroll somewhat you can also print out the entire stretch of route at once. You can use the introductory menu to skip directly to each segment.

From Trent the route proceeds into the Valsugana with its beautiful lakes and spa resorts steeped in tradition. Across the Tesino plateau we reach the small historic town of Feltre. The Praderadego Pass finally takes us to the vast Veneto plain, home of Prosecco. The destination of the tour is the museum on the site of the Roman port of Altinum in Altino.

Upper Valsugana

There's a slight climb into the Valsugana as you leave Trento. Fruit orchards and tourism dominate Upper Valsugana.

Lake Caldonazzo and Lake Levico are followed by Civezzano and the administrative capital Pergine Valsugana with its interesting historic core. Levico Terme is a thermal spa with a long history.

Accomodations in Upper Valsugana

geared towards meeting the needs of cyclists and hikers as well as other Via Claudia travellers.

at least one dish as it was 2,000 years ago on the menu.

I-VII The price categories in the advertisements below should provide a rough idea of the price range and are quoted per person and night for a double room:
I = < EUR 15,- II = EUR 15 - 23,- III = EUR 23 - 30,- IV = EUR 30 - 35,-
V = EUR 35 - 50,- VI = EUR 50 - 70,- VII > EUR 70,-.

A list of all businesses along the route, from the Danube to the Adriatic Sea. They are geared towards meeting the needs of Via Claudia Augusta travellers. To download and print out. Also available at all well-equipped information points along the route.

Mid-Valsugana und Tesino

During Roman times the broad bed of the River Brenta from central Valsugana onwards often overflowed and made passage along the banks impossible. So the Via Claudia quickly climbs to Borgo in the Bassa Valsugana, before continuing along the hillsides into the Tesino upland plateau. After Castello Tesino, it passes through the wild, rugged and deep-cut Xenagia valley, which at this point forms the boundary between the provinces of Trentino and the Veneto region.

Before you reach Borgo, there's another thermal resort, Roncegno Terme. Borgo, the administrative centre for the Basso Valsugana shows very distinct medieval and Baroque styles. With the River Brenta flowing through the centre and houses adorned with balconies, there's just a hint of Venice here. Attractions worth exploring in the pretty Val di Sella in the south include the Arte Sella, an outdoor art gallery hidden away in the woods. Overlooking it is Castello Telvana and a few kilometres further on Castello Ivano. But then the Via Claudia starts to climb to the Tesino upland plateau. Castello Tesino was once the site of a Roman fort. Worth a visit just on the border with Veneto are the dripstone caves of Grotta di Castello Tesino.

Accomodations in Mid-Valsugana and Tesino

geared towards meeting the needs of cyclists and hikers as well as other Via Claudia travellers.

The Feltrino, Valbelluna and the Praderadego Pass

Once in Veneto, the Via Claudia runs initially through the Feltrino. The first towns are still in the Dolomiti Bellunesi. After the Passo Croce D'Aune, the route then drops down towards Feltre. Beyond the River Piave, the Via Claudia then surmounts the final pass, the Praderadego.

Before Feltre lie the municipalities of Lamon, Sovramonte and Pedavena, which have been merged to form the Comunità Montana Feltrina, itself part of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. There is a visitor centre in Pedavena. One of Pedavena's attractions is Italy's largest brewery, the Birreria Pedavena. Feltre, the administrative centre of the Feltrino, dates back to pre-Roman times and was an important staging post between the passes on the historic Roman road. Parts of Roman Feltre beneath the cathedral have been excavated. Of particular interest here, however, is the old town, whose architectural style was very much influenced by the Doges of Venice. At its heart lies the Piazza Maggiore, itself overlooked by the Palazzo della Ragione and the Teatro della Sena. Not far away and well worth investigating is the Museo Civico. One of the two extant Via Claudia milestones can be seen hidden away in the outbuildings of the Villa Zilio. The municipality is also proud of its Toni Bevilacqua cycle museum and the Province of Belluno Folk Museum. The little town of Mel, on the other bank of the River Piave, was built, like Feltre, on a small hill. As well as an interesting old town centre, an archeological collection here displays some interesting artefacts. The Via Claudia now climbs the Praderadego Pass. A detour to the Castello di Zumelle may prove to be worthwhile.

Accomodations in the Feltrino and Valbelluna

geared towards meeting the needs of cyclists and hikers as well as other Via Claudia travellers.

From Praderadego through the Prosecco hills and Venetian plain to Treviso

From the Praderadego Pass it is already possible in good visibility to see the sea and Venetian Lagoon. The pass first of all leads down to the hilly home of Prosecco that is traversed by the Prosecco Wine Route. Experts disagree as to whether the Via Claudia Augusta runs along the eastern or western side of the Piave that flows across the wide Venetian plain. Although the city of art did not lie directly on the Via Claudia Augusta, it is a must-see if you are in the area and therefore included in the route today.

Above Cison di Valmarino stands the splendid Renaissance Castel Brando, which houses a number of museums, an events centre and also a spa hotel. After that hectares of vineyards where prosecco grapes are grown. At the heart of the region lie the Castello dei Collalto with its Collalto wine cellars and also in Susegana the Castello di San Salvatore.

Accomodations in the Prosecco region and Venetian plain as far as Treviso

geared towards meeting the needs of cyclists and hikers as well as other Via Claudia travellers.

Enjoy the destination of the cycle trip for a few more days

The Via Claudia Augusta Altinate finally goes through Silea and Roncade with its proud castle, skirts the nature park along the River Sile and ends in Altino, near Venice, where the Roman Adriatic port of Altinum was once situated. Today this lies on the mainland and is barely recognisable as such. However, a highly recommendable museum preserves the memory of the historic starting point of the Roman road.

The region is an ideal place to reward yourself for crossing the Alps, add on a few more days, have a rest and experience Venetia in all its facets: Quarto D'Altino, the municipality to which Altino belongs, directly on the Venetian Lagoon, where many people have a boat to get around the extensive canal system; Venice, the city of lagoons with its unique flair, bustle and countless sights; Jesolo with its extensive beaches and holiday facilities; ... all linked to each other with frequent rail services. On top of this there is also the nature park along the River Sile through which a wonderful cycle route leads to Treviso, a city of art. This beautiful area with its many attractions all around also brings with it the advantage that there is quite a lot of accommodation at the end of the Via Claudia Augusta between Venice and Jesolo, including some real gems available for prices well below the hotels in Venice.

Accomodations in Roncade to Altino