Monte Ceva - Euganean Hills

Difficulty T The Euganean Hills are a group of volcanic origin hills, hence the presence of thermal waters in much of the region. They reach a height between 50 and 600 meters, forming the first regional park in Veneto. Starting from the camper area of Battaglia Terme, trail no. 29 begins, leading to the summit of Monte Ceva, passing through Monte Croce (89m) and then Spinefrasse (202m). The trail is clearly visible with very little chance of getting lost due to the nature of the hill itself; from behind the camping area on the left, it begins almost immediately with a significant slope. The section is mostly wooded and narrow with short stretches of rocky path. After passing Croce, you can already admire the panorama of the hills on the west side before reaching the summit of Monte Spinefrasse, still immersed in the woods. From there, continue along the ridge to the next signpost before ascending to the summit of Ceva. When descending, caution is needed due to the steepness and the very rugged and jagged terrain. In some sections, ropes are fixed to the walls to make the descent easier, or ascent if you choose to reverse the route. After the steepest section, the descent is straightforward and pleasant, crossing cactus shrubs and encountering numerous plant species due to the site's unique biodiversity. Once you reach the paved road, just follow the signs to the camper area; the walk becomes pleasantly immersed again in cultivated fields. NB: In summer, I recommend hiking the trail in the late afternoon, around 6 pm to enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Euganean Hills and to avoid the intense sultry heat typical of these lands. You should equip yourself with specific shoes; I would not recommend using common sneakers.