The best MTB trails around San Fior

Polcenigo, nestled between the springs of the Livenza river and the foothills of the Carnic Prealps, is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Its historic center is an elegant network of stately palaces in Venetian style, testifying to the prestige of the noble Polcenigo family. Walking through the alleys, you discover a timeless atmosphere, dominated by the remains of the medieval castle that watches over the village from the top of the hill. The beating heart is Piazza Plebiscito, but the greatest charm lies in the symbiotic relationship with water: canals, old mills, and small bridges create picturesque views. Not far away, the Gorgazzo and Santissima springs offer waters of an almost unreal turquoise blue, making the village a fundamental stop for those seeking historical beauty and nature.

Pordenone foothills itinerary: St. Christopher's Way

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.

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

For the color of the water

Worth a photo with your bike!🚴🏻‍♂️💪🏼🔝🚲