Hikes in Vo'

The nature trail of the Central Colli Euganei unfolds in the heart of the Euganei for about fifteen kilometers. The point of departure can be reached by Province road 89 "dei colli"

The point of departure is Casa Marina, in Sottovenda, Galzignano Terme, and will accompany you to visit the ruins of the Olivetani Monastery. 

Monte Venda trail starts from Casa Marina in the municipality of Galzignano Terme and includes a stretch suitable for disabled.

Loop route: staying at altitude, you skirt Monte della Madonna and Monte Grande, passing through Passo Fiorine.

Departure: ZovonStage: Monte Comun RefugeStage: Oratory of Saint Anthony AbbotArrival: Fox Jump

It's the first of 2 stages that cover almost all the Euganean hills. I downloaded the route from the Euganean Hills park website and then split it in half.

From Rovolon to the Oratory of Sant'Antonio Abate, Passo Fiorine and back to Rovolon. A panoramic hike around Monte della Madonna with an alternation of vegetation from chestnut to dwarf prickly pear. We park in the Alpini Square, near the church of Rovolon. Dedicated to Saint George, the church is documented in 1077, but its origins could date back to the 7th - 8th century. We go down via San Giorgio towards Bastia and after about 100 meters we go up to the left, from via San Giorgio towards via San Pietro.[1] About 400 meters from the start, on the right we find a small niche carved into a chestnut stump housing a little Madonna; we continue to climb. At the top of the climb opens the splendid plateau of San Pietro.[2] As soon as we reach the plateau, we take the dirt path to the left towards the mountain; then, at the entrance of the woods, we take a right. The surrounding flora, being exposed to the north, is characterized by locust trees, chestnuts, elderberries and oaks. At the top of this first (and demanding) climb we find a bench, ideal for a break. Here one can observe a truly remarkable variety of plants: medlar, ash, oak and other undergrowth plants such as strawberry tree and heather. A few meters after the aforementioned bench, a path is noticed on the left (the Monte della Madonna path no. 17). Our route continues instead remaining at altitude and towards the right. After about 150 meters we emerge in a breathtaking position for the splendid panorama opening to the southeast.[3] Proceeding along the path you can admire many prickly pear plants, which offer a luxuriant bloom in springtime. You then reach the little church of Sant'Antonio Abate.[4] In front of us Monte Altore; proceeding along a demanding uphill path we arrive at a rocky terrace from which you can admire the stunning panorama of the area. After about 100 meters, continuing towards Fiorine, a path marked with number 1 opens that leads to the summit of Monte della Madonna. Continuing towards Fiorine we cross a forest of oaks and hornbeams on an almost flat stretch. Arriving at Passo Fiorine we take the path, also flat, leading towards Monte della Madonna and which, keeping the Baita Passo Fiorine on the right, after about 50 meters enters the woods. From this point, on clear days, Bastia and the entire plain north of the Euganean Hills can be seen, with the Berici Mountains to the west, the castle of Montegalda to the north and higher up the Venetian Prealps; on our right you go up towards Monte Grande. About 200 meters from the Baita the path forks: to the right it goes down to Rovolon, we continue to the left. About 500 meters from Passo Fiorine, near an Enel pole, a panoramic point opens that deserves a stop. About 15 minutes from the Pass you arrive at a real crossroads: going straight you return towards San Pietro, turning left you take the path that climbs Monte della Madonna, turning right instead you descend to Rovolon following the old so-called “worksite” road, built in the 1950s, which takes us to the chestnut stump with the little Madonna signaled at the beginning of the path. From here, proceeding to the right, you return to the church of Rovolon, the starting point. [1]Immediately after, on the right, you meet the ancient village called “gheto dei capeani”, perhaps the oldest in the town of Rovolon. Further ahead, downstream, towards the north, you notice Villa Ottavia, an ancient Benedictine settlement with, in the background, the town of Bastia. More to the right, Monte Viale in front of Monte Cereo and then Monte Spinazzola and Frassanelle. Going up along the asphalt road, on the left you skirt the “Momi” clearing, now Toni Ceramica, enriched by a considerable group of ancient maronari. [2]Now used as a cellar, the little church of San Pietro probably dates back to an era earlier than that of the church of Rovolon itself (which in 2001 celebrated the 500 years since its foundation). [3]In the background, Monte Venda; in front of us Monte Altore; a little more to the right and in the background Monte Vendevolo and even more to the right, isolated, Monte Lozzo. From here, on exceptionally clear days, the gaze can reach the Apennines embracing the entire Po Valley; on the right the chain of the Berici Hills. Here you begin to see plant varieties almost unique to our hills, such as prickly pears. The closest town to us, down there, is Zovon. More to the left you see Vò with Vò Vecchio on its right. You enter the Municipality of Teolo. Being exposed to the south and in full sun, here the vegetation is much less lush. [4]The little church is called “Sant’Antonio Porseeto” for the pig that usually stays at the feet of the Saint in official iconography. Here you can admire a deep natural cave, at the bottom of which there is a small spring in which newts live.

Departure from the parking lot at the Venda pond, passing by the fox spring which, despite the information sign next to it saying that water is always present even during drought periods, I found it dry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I continue by going around Monte Vendevolo, finding myself at the Alto di Venda farmhouse, proceed along Sassoni street, pass by the Le Brècane farmhouse, all at mid-slope with ups and downs, then start the steep climb with wide zigzags to reach the Olivetani monastery, where on the first Friday of the month you can visit the crypt with Mass. The rest of the structure is semi-ruined. Beautiful panoramic position, sunny, with large spaces to relax ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To get there I passed a couple of gates of the old aeronautical base, now decommissioned and abandoned for 26 years. Continuing along the path I deviated into the woods, finding myself on the ex-base road and climbed up to the antennas, I went around the fence and continued on the barely visible and unmapped path up to the other gigantic Rai antennas ~~~~~~~~~~~ Here, going down the paved road, I found numerous buildings covered by vegetation, presumably part of the old euronautical base ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Continuing on the road, you pass the main entrance of the former military complex and through paths that continuously intersect, I returned to the starting point.

The first of 5 tours I want to do here in the Euganean Hills. Today I combined 4 small tours that the Euganean Hills park had uploaded, making it a spectacular single tour. Congratulations to the park managers, the trails are well marked and clean.

Second stage of the Alta Via dei Colli Euganei. From the Agriturismo Alto Venda, head south, then turn east and return to Luvigliano.