Hikes in Lastebasse

The hike mainly follows mule tracks and dirt roads crossing expanses of dwarf pine and mountain pastures. It will lead you to discover an unusual and fascinating territory capable of offering breathtaking views of the plateaus on the Trentino side.   

Among the most beautiful sections of the European route E7 to experience the charm of the Venetian Prealps along the most beautiful natural amphitheater in Italy that will take you from Lake Garda to the Cansiglio Forest. The stage route mainly takes place on low-traffic roads, trails, and mule tracks crossing vineyards, alpine pastures, and ancient woods where you can experience all the magic of nature. Different landscapes and breathtaking 360° views of the Dolomites and the Venice Lagoon will make you live a unique adventure.

Hiking mainly on Great War mule tracks that will bring you to live an unusual and fascinating experience in a border territory characterized by the presence of alpine pastures, dwarf pine corridors and breathtaking views over the Upper Vicentine Valleys.  

Malga Zonta (1540 m) - Bocca di Valle Orsara (1610 m) - M.ga Pioverna Alta (1729 m) - Costa d'Agra (1822 m) - Rif. Valbona (1695 m)

Chiesetta di Restele (1505 m) - Vena Pass (1540 m) - Spitz Tonezza (1694 m) - Alpini Pass (1563 m) - Melegnon Refuge (1528 m) - Mount Moretto (1494 m)

From Lastebasse, where we park, we go up the paved road for a short distance until we find a nice shrine on the right and signs to cross to the other side of the Astico stream. We go down to the stream bed and cross over via a narrow but sturdy bridge. We then turn right and follow the left bank of the river, ascending slightly and then descending decisively toward the part beyond Lastebasse. After traveling a good stretch of downhill road, we reach the small village of Ciechi and, although the route I traced continues a bit further, we decide to climb among the houses and take a mule track that, first gently and then increasingly steeply, rises decisively, quickly gaining altitude. After several stops to wait for everyone, catch our breath, and enjoy the sun that has come out and warms our bodies, we finally see Forte Belvedere (Gschwendt), majestic up there at the top. Our four-legged friend, Rocco, also happily roams around, never sated with freedom. The fort is very large and certainly gives an idea of the firepower it could unleash. The fort covers an area of 200 by 100 meters and served as a hinge-like connection along the entire Austrian frontline on the Plateaus. It was completed in 1912, just before the outbreak of the conflict, and suffered heavy bombardments by Italian artillery. After the May 1916 Strafexpedition, it was abandoned as the front moved toward the Asiago Plateau. The fort, as evident, was preserved from post-war looting due to intervention even by the then King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele III, but the upper domes and part of the metal cladding were removed near World War II. In 2002, the Municipality of Lavarone, having become its owner in the meantime, began restoration and reopened it as a public museum (since 1966 it had been a private museum). We eat on the roof, beside the armored domes, enjoying the absence of wind and the sun that seems to inhabit a September day. We then head down the road leading to the village of Oseli and from there, following ancient roads as the itinerary's title states, we arrive at the gates of Gionghi and then bid farewell to the Lavarone Plateau to return to the valley. The descent, which includes discovering the Covelo del Rio Malo, the small and charming village of Piccoli (how fitting the name is), and the Sas de le Mitrie (a meadow where three large rocks symbolize the ancient border between the three bishoprics of Trento, Padua, and Feltre), is not as hard as the ascent and soon we retrace our morning steps back to the parking. Excellent post-hike refreshments at the Prealpi bar in Lastebasse, just across the street. Technical Data: 16 km covered in about 7.5 hours (I did not stop the timer at lunch—about 1 hour plus breaks) with 860 meters of elevation gain. Rating: E/M due to the steep initial climb.

Percorso in5 tappe da 1) M. Berico a Thiene km. 24,5, 2) Thiene a Cogollo del Cengio km 19  3) Cogollo del Cengio a Brancafora km 21   4) Brancafora a Caldonazzo km 17,5 5) Caldonazzo a Montagnaga di Pinè km 17,5

571 Lastebasse - Rif. Monte Coston - Val delle Lanze - Cima Campomolon