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Contrà PiazzaPhoto: Valeria Malagnini, UM.PASUBIO
The SC2 Valbona and Valmara trail in Schio is an easy hike of about 5 km and 200 m elevation gain, suitable for families. Starting from the church of Santa Caterina, it passes through woods and hamlets such as Facci, Piazza, Bonolli and Angelini Bogotti. The trail offers views of the valleys and possibilities for detours to Marsili or the ridge back to Santa Caterina. An excellent choice for those seeking nature and tranquility within walking distance of the city.
The SC2 Valbona and Valmara route is an easy loop hike through the hills of Schio, perfect for families, amateur walkers and anyone who wants to immerse themselves in nature without facing challenging elevation changes. The route, about 4.9 km long with an elevation gain of 200 meters, starts from the Church of Santa Caterina, in a scenic and quiet area. From here we take a short asphalt climb that soon gives way to a dirt path immersed in the forest, where the scent of the vegetation and the quietness of the landscape introduce the walker to a relaxing atmosphere. Along the way, several characteristic hamlets are encountered, including Facci, Piazza, Bonolli and Angelini-Bogotti, evidence of the rural life that once animated these hills. Each hamlet still preserves traces of the past, including stone buildings, hidden courtyards and glimpses of the valley. Continuing on, you reach the picturesque Valmara valley, a wilder environment rich in vegetation, in which small streams flow. Here it is possible to observe remains of ancient mills such as the Sessegolo Mill, examples of the ingenuity with which water energy was once harnessed. The return is made by following a ridge that gives wide views of the hills and meadows of Marsili, finally leading back to the starting church. All along the way, signage is clearly visible, and the trail is easily navigable in all seasons, offering a rewarding experience in terms of nature, history and landscape.
Author’s recommendation
Here are some useful tips for tackling the route:
- Download the GPS track before leaving: even if the trail is well marked, having the track on your smartphone or smartwatch can help you in case of doubts or detours.
- Leave early in the morning, especially in summer: you will avoid the heat, enjoy the best light for photos, and find the trail less crowded.
- Take a small pair of binoculars with you: the area is ideal for spotting birds, squirrels and other animals, especially near the forest and Valmara Valley.
- Stop and talk to villagers if you come across any: they often have interesting stories to tell about the place or abandoned mills.
- Use a plant-recognition app (such as PlantNet or Seek): you'll find a variety of flora along the way that makes the walk even more interesting.
- Bring a filter or reusable water bottle: in some seasons you can find small streams useful for recharging yourself with fresh water (always check if it is drinkable!).
- Organize a light picnic in the Marsili meadows: bring a towel, something local to eat, and enjoy the view over the ridge on the final stretch.
- Do the route in reverse, starting from the ridge toward Valmara: changing direction offers completely new perspectives and makes for a more dynamic experience.
- Bring a small magnifying glass or a smartphone macro-lens: it will allow you to observe the details of mosses, insects and stones.
- Visit St. Catherine's Church at the end of the trail: often overlooked, it is a small architectural gem that deserves a few minutes of attention before ending the day.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Here are some pointers for being safe on the trail:
- Wear socks with wasp or tick sensors (available online): ideal for wooded areas, they protect you without having to spray repellents every hour.
- Activate the "shared location" feature on WhatsApp or Google Maps with a trusted person: so someone always knows where you are in real time.
- Carry a small personal alarm buzzer (device that emits a high-pitched sound) on your backpack or keychain: useful for drawing attention in case of injury or need for help.
- Use a real-time weather alert app with geo-located notifications (such as RainViewer): conditions can change quickly even on short trips.
- Place an NFC tag ( technology that allows two electronic devices to exchange data without contact) in your backpack with your emergency contacts and blood type: in case of illness, rescuers can have useful info right away.
- Schedule a "safe stop" every 30 to 40 minutes to check GPS signal, hydration and physical status-small checks that avoid big problems.
- Bring a small signal mirror (the camping or survival kind): underestimated, but it can reflect light over long distances.
- Pack a "quick hot/cold kit": a mini self-heating or instant cooling packet for micro-trauma or heat stroke.
- Wear clothes with reflective details even during the day: it may seem excessive, but in low visibility (fog, dense woods) it makes a difference.
- Use an app that monitors your steps and alerts you if you are stationary for too long (such as Komoot Live Tracking): useful in case of a fall or illness, it alerts you to an anomaly in your movement.
- Carry a small power bank with a built-in solar panel: compact and lightweight, it allows you to recharge your phone even if you are out longer than expected.
Tips and suggestions
Here are some additional tips and recommendations for the itinerary:
- Take a "mindfulness break" halfway along the route: stop for a few minutes, breathe deeply and savor the sounds and scents around you to recharge your mind and body.
- Take a small headlamp with you, even if the route is short: it may come in handy if you get lost or if it gets dark earlier than expected.
- Experiment with "slow walking" to better appreciate details such as the slope of the terrain, the texture of barks or the flight of birds.
- Try walking without phones for short stretches, relying only on your senses and memory of the path to exercise concentration.
- Install an app to recognize natural sounds such as birds singing or leaves rustling, so you learn to read the nature around you.
- Before you set off, do a short dynamic warm-up: some targeted stretching for your legs and core prevents aches and early fatigue.
- Bring a small digital or paper journal: to jot down the feelings it aroused in you or for discoveries.
- If you are in a group, try walking alternating moments of silence with moments of sharing, to balance sociality and introspection.
- Organize a "mini clean-up" by taking a bag with you to collect at least some small waste found on the trail, leaving the path cleaner than you found it.
Roadbook
Starting from the Church of Santa Caterina in Schio, travel about 400 meters along an uphill asphalt road until you reach a bend to the right, where you leave the asphalt for a dirt path that enters the woods for about 600 meters. This brings you to Contrà Facci, which you cross and then continue along a path that skirts the valley for another 700 meters to Contrà Piazza, which you pass in about 300 meters. Continue towards Contrà Bonolli for 500 meters, from where you enter a climb of about 900 meters that leads to the Valmara valley, crossing a section immersed in nature and steeper. After passing Molino Sessegolo, proceed for another 400 meters until reaching the ridge that connects the Marsili meadows; from here follow the ridge for 800 meters with panoramic views until returning near the starting church. To finish, you walk the last 200 meters on the asphalt road, thus closing a loop of about 4.9 km, ideal for a walk of about 3 hours at a leisurely pace; signage and a map or GPS track are recommended for added safety.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
The SC2 Valbona and Valmara route in Schio can be conveniently reached by bus starting from the Schio Autostation. To get as close as possible to the starting point, take the Società Vicentina Trasporti (SVT) bus, specifically the urban line to Santa Caterina di Tretto. The bus leaves regularly from Schio's central station, passes through the city center, and follows a scenic route into the surrounding hills. After about 15 minutes of travel, you get off at the "Santa Caterina" stop, located a short walk from the Church of Santa Caterina, the starting point of the trail.
From the stop, continue on foot for a short distance of about 200 meters on a paved road to the entrance of the SC2 trail. The bus therefore allows you to avoid long walking approaches and enjoy more direct access to the trail. It is important to consult the updated SVT bus schedule to best arrange departure and return times, especially on weekdays or weekends when frequencies may vary.
Directions
Starting from the Schio Autostation, exit the bus area and immediately take Viale Europa in a southeasterly direction, a wide, well-marked road that runs through a residential area with some stores and services. Proceed straight for about 1.5 km, following the signs for Via Pasubio, a main road that connects the center of Schio to the surrounding hillside hamlets.
Continue on Via Pasubio, which winds gently between residential buildings and green spaces, keeping heading east-northeast. After about 3 km, you will encounter the first signs for Santa Caterina or Contrà Chiesa Santa Caterina: here the road becomes narrower and surrounded by greenery, with views of the surrounding hills.
Continue along Contrà Chiesa Santa Caterina for about 1 km, a quiet road with little traffic that leads you directly to the Church of Santa Caterina, the starting point of the SC2 Valbona and Valmara trail. Near the church there are parking lots where you can safely leave your car.
This route, all on well-maintained paved roads, allows you to comfortably reach the start of the trail, avoiding traffic difficulties and providing direct access to the nature and trails of the Schio hills.
Parking
Some of the places where you can park:
- Parking at Santa Caterina Church: A number of free parking places are available near the church, along Contrà Chiesa Santa Caterina. These places are ideal for hikers who wish to start the route without having to walk too far. However, availability may vary, so it is advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends.
- Catholic Circle Parking: Located on San Leonzio Street, Magré, this parking lot is about a 10-minute drive from the church. It is free and offers a good alternative if the nearest parking lots are busy. You can reach the church on foot or with a short walk.
- Parking along Contrà Marsili: This street, located about a 5-minute walk from the church, offers additional parking options. It is a quiet residential area, ideal for leaving your car and walking to the starting point of the route.
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Some guides you might use for the route:
- Visit Schio Hiking Guide: On the official Visit Schio website you will find details, maps, descriptions and practical advice for the SC2 trail. It is a reliable starting point for planning your hike.
- CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) Guides: Vicenza CAI Vicenza often publishes hiking guides devoted to trails in the area, including the hills around Schio. Check their website or local office for up-to-date materials.
- Komoot and AllTrails apps: These apps offer step-by-step trail guides with GPS tracks, detailed descriptions, hiking times, and reviews from other hikers.
- Local nature guides: Many environmental associations or local authorities organize guided hikes and publish information material on flora, fauna and cultural aspects of the area traversed by the SC2 route.
- Italian trekking blogs and forums: Explore specialized blogs and forums such as Trekking Italia or Sentieri del Veneto for practical advice, first-hand experiences, and updates on conditions and route variations.
Author’s map recommendations
Some recommended maps you can use for the route:
- Visit Schio - SC2 Valbona and Valmara: The official Visit Schio website offers a detailed description of the SC2 route, with information on duration, difficulty, elevation gain and distance. You can view an interactive map and download the trail in GPX format.
- Schio Hilly Trails - Visit Pedemontana: Visit Pedemontana presents an overview of Schio's hilly trails, including details of the SC2 route. Although it does not provide an interactive map, it offers useful information for hike planning.
- AllTrails - Valbona - Monte Lozzo: AllTrails provides information on various hiking trails, including those in the vicinity of Valbona. Although not specific to SC2, it may offer insights on how to use the app to plot and follow trails.
- "Trails and Walks in the Schio Hills" book: Available at local bookstores or libraries, this book collects various routes in the hill area, with maps, tips and nature information.
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Here are a few pieces of equipment to best cope with this experience:
- Ultralight folding trekking poles: improve balance and reduce stress on knees and ankles, especially on downhill or ridge sections.
- Folding "tripod" type backpacking chair: for comfortable stops at scenic spots without sitting on the ground, especially useful if the terrain is wet or rocky.
- Walking belt with integrated water bottle and pockets: minimalist alternative to backpacking, perfect for short hikes like this.
- Photochromic goggles: adjust to light, protect eyes in both shady and sunny sections along the ridge.
- Multi-purpose technical cloth: can be used as a scarf, headband, dust mask or sunscreen.
- Thin non-slip walking gloves: protect in case you use your hands to lean on rocks, branches or wet surfaces without getting too hot.
- Emergency aluminum mini heat sheet: weighs a few ounces, but can be vital in case of unexpected or sudden bad weather.
- Clip-on lens for smartphone macro photography: perfect for those who want to get naturalistic details of flowers, insects, or wood and stone textures.
- Belt-mounted mechanical pedometer (no battery): great digital-free alternative for counting mileage, also as a game for children.
- Ice tea bag or supplement to dissolve in water: lightweight, improves the taste of the water bottle and replenishes salts during breaks.
- A first-aid kit: lightweight and compact with band-aids, gauze, disinfectant, instant ice, basic medicines and essential tools, useful for safely dealing with minor mishaps during the hike.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions