Alpine Path no. 8

Alta Via no. 8 follows mountain and war paths, through the Grappa Massif. It is a pre-alpine environment, unlike what we are used to in the Dolomites, but the presence of forests, paths, huts and valuable flora and fauna are all constant reminders of the mountain. Even the most demanding mountaineers will have the opportunity to experience the real climbing possibilities offered by the rock face of the Alta Via degli Eroi. This is the name of the pre-Alpine road, of the so-called pre-Dolomites, which leads from Val del Piave near Feltre to the Brenta Valley and invites you to learn about the history linking the two great rivers. As the crow flies, the route measures exactly 30 kilometres, extended to 65-70 kilometres on the actual path. We cross three provinces, Belluno, Treviso and Vicenza in just 4 days of  easy-medium difficulty level walking and maintaining the maximum altitude of 1,775 metres of Monte Grappa. The stop-overs on the route only offer huts and so it is advisable to have a tent and sleeping bag with you; the only real refuge on the itinerary is the Bassano Refuge at Cima Grappa, at an altitude of 1,745 metres. Once here it is worth visiting the Historical Museum of the Great War 1915-1918, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (entirely carved into the rock), the Military Shrine and the Via Eroica. On the first stage, if the weather is good, a short variation takes you on a climb of about 20 minutes to the large Cross that stands on the summit of Monte Tomàtico at 1508 metres, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the ring of the Dolomites, the Feltre valley and the Venetian Prealps, Montello, as far as the Venice Lagoon.