Villapiana-Ronchena – Paths between the Piave and the Dolomites

Villapiana-Ronchena offers peaceful access to a landscape where nature experiences and regional culture can be combined in the same exploration. The focus is on the Giro delle chiesette e dei capitelli: near Ronchena, the route leads through forests and clearings, while the landscape between the Piave and the Dolomites gradually opens up. At the same time, along the paths described, you will encounter religious sites, ancient frescoes and contemporary wayside shrines.

Forests, clearings and a detour to a waterfall

Near Ronchena, the Giro delle chiesette e dei capitelli leads through alternating forested and open areas. The impression of the landscape does not come from a single viewpoint, but develops gradually along the route: between the trees and clearings, the landscape between the Piave and the Dolomites reveals itself little by little. This makes the path a suitable choice if, during your stay, you do not want to visit just one destination, but instead want to experience the character of the surroundings as the route unfolds.

A short detour from this route leads to the Cascata della “Pisotona”. The waterfall is thus incorporated into the course of the path as a separate detour. You can therefore supplement your exploration of the landscape with a clearly named natural destination without losing sight of the cultural stops along the Giro delle chiesette e dei capitelli.

San Donato between history and frescoes

Another focal point is the Eremo di San Donato. The hermitage lies in the forests above Ronchena and Lentiai. It was first mentioned in 1529; it may possibly date back to the Lombard period. This cautious historical classification is part of the character of the site: the reference from 1529 is documented, while the connection to the Lombard period has been handed down as a possibility.

The Eremo di San Donato and the Chiesetta di San Donato contain ancient frescoes. Thus, this section is notable not only for its forest landscape and its location above Ronchena and Lentiai, but also for visible evidence of religious art. If you value historical traces when choosing a destination, you will find a specific cultural connection here, without reducing the history of the site to a single period.

A signpost and painted wayside shrines

For the Giro delle chiesette e dei capitelli, leave your vehicle in Lentiai and follow signpost no. 2303. This orientation is an integral part of the route described and provides you with a specific starting point for your exploration. The Sentiero dei Capitelli Affrescati adds an independent artistic accent: it comprises ten wayside shrines painted by contemporary artists. Their visual language contains symbolic references to local traditions and crafts. Thus, along the paths mentioned, ancient frescoes in the Eremo and Chiesetta meet a more recent, deliberately designed form of local representation.

More destinations in Veneto

If you would like to compare other places for your travel planning from Villapiana-Ronchena, you can also view Forno Di Zoldo, Dont, Calalzo Di Cadore, Colmean, Corte, Danta, Domegge Di Cadore and Lamon.

For the main travel overview: Belluno.