THE ALTO PIANO: DISCOVERY OF THE HISTORICAL REGION BETWEEN VICENZA & VENICE, ITALY

The Alto Piano – Steeped in history, the canals of Venice and their surrounding area are one of Italys great tourist destinations. If you take a look past the tourist canals and barges you’ll see that for a mountain biker, theirs plenty more to see and to do…

At the heart of the Italian summer the cyclists already engrossed with Italy should be delighted by this new destination. The Venitian Alto piano is a 1000m-high plateau two hours drive from Venice. With its 700 marked paths it has become the cyclists’ paradise in the north of Italy.

It is a rare opportunity to cycle in a genuine mountain environment between flower covered chalets, high mountain pastures and conifer forests. The close distance between the towns in Venitia will give this journey a cultural and artistic colour with visits to Vicenza, Bassano and of course Venice its final destination.

For those that wish it is possible to extend the stay and see Padova and Trevise.

 VICENZA
We meet in Vicenza, one of Italys great charms and twin town of Altitudes home; Annecy, France.
Included meal: Dinner

THE SOUTHERN TERRACES OF ALTOPIANO
A calm first day discovering the picturesque forests and plains of the Italian Alto piano

Ride distance: 30km Uneven Positive: 500m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical skills: ++

THE SERENISSIMA MARBLE QUARRIES

Leaving Asiago our route journeys through the marble quarries which used to supply the Republic of Venice in its heyday.

Ride distance: 42km Uneven Positive: 700m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical skills: ++

ASSA GORGES

It disappears into the Assa valley gorges hanging over dazzling drops where the First World War resistant’s used to hide. This high route offers grand views and high speed adrenalin rushes.

Ride distance: 14km Uneven Positive: 700m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical skills: +++

AROUND MONTE VERENA 

Our route goes around the mountain in a steady climb over Assa valley and reaches the high pastures where the marmots sunbathe. Paradise for cross-country skiing in winter, these huge meadows are covered with flowers in summer...

Ride distance: 33km Uneven Positive: 800m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical difficulty: ++
 

ACROSS THE NORTHERN ALTOPIANO

This is the climax of the week. The route is longer and goes deeper into real mountain scenery and breathtaking views.

Ride distance: 52km Uneven Positive: 980m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical difficulty: ++

3 PEAKS OF THE « ROCK TOWN » (Hiking)

The only way to see the magnificent views of the South Dolomites and the Alps is by walking. From the hotel the route will first go through a thick forest and come out onto the moors of the high plateaux.

Ride distance: 13km Uneven Positive: 830m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical difficulty: ++

BRENTA RIVER AND ITS TERRACES TO BASSANO

Leaving Foza a long descent leads to the valley we will have to cross in order to reach the far south-west side of the Alto piano above the Brenta

Ride distance: 33km Uneven Positive: 830m
Physical difficulty: ++ Technical difficulty: ++

BASSANO AND VENICE
Morning visit to Bassano, a fortified town on the banks of the Brenta crossed by a historical bridge listed in the UNESCO world heritage.

VENICE
Free time. If you have time it is worth devoting three or four extra days to Venice and the close art towns: Verona, Trevise and particularly Padova.