The best traffic-free bike rides around Vittorio Veneto

Located on the summit of Colle di Giano, the Castle of Conegliano is the historical emblem of the city and a privileged sentinel over the Venetian plain. Of the ancient medieval complex, the strategic heart of the village since the 12th century, the Bell Tower stands out today, the only surviving element along with part of the walls and the Guard Tower. Inside, the Civic Museum houses a precious collection ranging from archaeological finds to important pictorial works. From the top of the tower, the view is breathtaking: on clear days, the gaze sweeps from the rooftops of the historic center, adorned by the frescoed facades of via XX Settembre, to the crests of the Prealps and the Prosecco vineyards. Reachable via charming cobbled streets or staircases immersed in greenery, the castle is not just a monument, but a meeting place where history blends with the beauty of the Treviso landscape.

Piazza Flaminio represents the beating heart and elegant living room of the historic district of Serravalle, in Vittorio Veneto. Completely paved in grey stone, the square is a remarkable example of Renaissance urban planning, defined by a curtain of stately buildings that testify to the glorious past linked to the Serenissima. The Palazzo della Comunità, the ancient seat of the city government, and the Civic Tower overlook it, while the welcoming arcades house historic shops and cafes. The harmony of its proportions and the view of the mountainous landscapes that frame it create a unique theatrical atmosphere, making it one of the most charming squares in the Venetian hinterland, where history can be breathed in every architectural detail.

Nice little road, great for gravel bikes.

On May 25, 1964, a fire completely destroyed the first and second floors, rendering them unusable. The efforts of firefighters and artillerymen who rushed to the scene in force managed to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to the nearby building. Despite the negative opinion of the Military Engineering Corps regarding restoration work, public opinion and the Belluno CAI Section pushed for yet another reconstruction, finding valid support in Gen. Pietro Torrazzo. This recommenced under the supervision of the 6th Mountain Artillery Regiment of Belluno. The inauguration ceremony was held on August 31, 1968. The seventies still saw the race to "conquer" a spot for television antennas, both military and civilian. The most imposing one, belonging to RAI, was placed a few meters from the refuge, on the north side, and is still there today. A new period of closure and management uncertainties followed. In 1988, the COMILITER of Padua decided on its renovation, which concluded in 1992. In 1993, the State Technical Office proposed a rental fee, and on May 1, 1994, after five years, the refuge reopened under new management. In 1995, the agreement, still in force, was signed. Today, this place represents an act of gratitude for the survival of a heritage entirely belonging to Belluno.

The idea to erect the first refuge of the CAI section of Belluno was taken during the board meeting of May 20, 1898, and formalized in July 1899. Its function was to support hikers from Belluno and Treviso. The refuge was inaugurated on September 23, 1900, and dedicated to Richard Henry Budden, one of the pioneering figures of mountaineering, proponent of numerous reforestation projects to safeguard the mountain environment, and a sincere friend of the province of Belluno. The construction was built on land donated by the De’ Bertoldi family. After difficult management, also due to the debt situation, during World War I the refuge was set on fire, making it unusable as a shelter. Reconstruction began in September 1938, when a detachment of the 24th battery of the 5th Alpine Artillery Regiment encamped on Col Visentin for the initial excavation operations. It was reopened on August 15, 1946. Based on the project by architect Alfarè, the current small tower was built, adapted into a chapel-shrine for the Fallen of the 5th Mountain Division, a votive tomb that held the lighthouse donated by the Navy and contains the list of brothers fallen in Libya, on Ortigara, on the Carso, on Sabotino, those on the arid Ethiopian plains, and finally those who remained on the fields of Albania, in the Montenegrin gorges, and in the desolate immensity of the Russian steppe.

Located at an altitude of 1764 meters, Rifugio Col Visentin offers one of the widest and most evocative panoramas of the Veneto Prealps. From here, the view stretches from the Adriatic Sea to Monte Grappa, from Montello to the Dolomites, with spectacular glimpses of iconic peaks such as Pelmo, Civetta, Antelao, Cimon della Pala, Croda Rossa, and the Marmarole. On the clearest days, you can even make out the Croatian coast to the East, and to the West, the gaze extends beyond the Berici Mountains. The refuge is a reference point for summer and winter tourism in Veneto, frequented by hikers, snowshoers, cyclists, and nature lovers in every season. It offers accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is open daily from May to September and on weekends during the rest of the year. Inside the refuge, you will find the highest meteorological station in the Veneto Prealps, as well as three webcams offering real-time images of the landscape. www.rifugiocolvisentin.net

Conegliano Castle dominates the city from its hilltop position. The first document mentioning it dates back to 1016 AD, but the structure reached its maximum extension in the fourteenth century, thanks to the influence of the Scaligeri and Carraresi rulers.

From the small road that leads up to the castle you can admire a magnificent view of the city of Conegliano.