Pedemonte: Waterfall Trails and Historic Paths

Pedemonte is best explored through its paths. The Sentieri delle Cascate project comprises signposted hiking trails and three circular walks leading to waterfalls and sights in Pedemonte. Their starting point is at the car park of the former municipal offices in the Longhi district. If you would like not only to explore the area independently but also to learn more about a remarkable work, guided tours of Il Nido di Pedemonte can be booked through the Associazione OGD Pedemontana Veneta e Colli.

Hiking trails with different destinations

The trails in and around Pedemonte offer a variety of points of interest. Hiking Trail 595, the Via dell’Ancino, follows a medieval road that connected Val d’Astico with Caldonazzo and Trento. Hiking Trail 597 leads from Brancafora di Pedemonte to Forte Belvedere, making it a clearly defined connection between the district and the historic structure.

Other routes focus on different features. Hiking Trail 605 runs along the foothills of Belfiore and rocky outcrops in the upper Val d’Astico. Hiking Trail 598 runs from Valle di Rio Torto at the regional border to Eck delle Albarele at the regional border. Hiking Trail 599 leads from Ponte Rio Torto via Capitello Sella del Cavallo to the regional border. For a connection towards the plateau, Hiking Trail 601 runs from Scalzeri di Pedemonte to Luserna. Hiking Trail 611 leads from Casotto to Malga Croiere.

The Strada de la Riva also presents another side of Pedemonte: The hiking trail runs through the Pedemonte area along the eastern mountain slopes and passes through four particularly characteristic contrade in the town. Thus, alongside the circular walks to the waterfalls, the focus is also on paths that reveal historic connections, districts, mountain slopes and transitions to neighboring landscapes.

Art, history and special places

Among the independent attractions is Il Nido di Pedemonte, an immersive wooden land-art work by Marco Martalar. Another prominent stop is Forte Belvedere. The imposing structure has been converted into a museum about the First World War. Its connection with Hiking Trail 597 makes it a specifically named destination within the local selection of trails.

The churches also tell the history of the districts. The church of Brancafora once served all the farmsteads in the rear Val d’Astico and partly on the plateau, and at that time it was the only church in the area. The church of Casotto and the adjacent small cemetery are associated with the year 1748; restoration took place in 1920.

Landscape along the Astico and other special features

The landscape also includes the Avez del Prinzep near Malga Laghetto. It is considered Europe’s largest fir tree. The waters of the Astico torrent are known among anglers. A grotto can be reached via a path that begins at the village pharmacy. These different starting points and destinations allow you to experience Pedemonte through signposted paths, water, historic places and local features, without combining the individual experiences into a single excursion destination.

More destinations in the selection

For further context, you can also view Valdagno, Canova di Cereda, Pianezze, Torri Di Quartesolo, Schio, Marostica, Longare and Rosà.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vicenza.