If Cison di Valmarino is today recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, the credit is due to the stream Rujo. But it's not just about aesthetics: the Rujo has been the tireless engine of a thriving economy for centuries. Walking along the Water Trail (also known as Via dei Mulini) means immersing yourself in a story of ingenuity and industriousness, where water was the primary resource that fuelled life and work.

Water as an Economic Engine: The Path of the Mills

Since the Middle Ages, water management has been the cornerstone of local economic history. Along the course of the stream, the community managed to build a complex system of locks, canals, and workshops. Hydraulic energy was not only used to grind grain in the numerous mills, but it was fundamental for:

• The Shirts Where iron was forged for agricultural tools and swords.
• The Fools Large water-powered hammers beating woollen fabrics to make them dense and waterproof.
• The Sawmills Which worked the timber coming from the surrounding woods.

This “diffuse industry” allowed Cison to prosper under the rule of the Republic of Venice, creating a village where the “Stone” of the workshops and the “Silk” of the wealth produced coexisted in perfect harmony. Even today, observing the facades of the Marian Houses or the remains of the ancient canals, one can still sense the strength of what was a true capital of hydraulic craftsmanship.

The Great Beech: The Patriarch Embracing the Rock

The emotional climax of the path is the encounter with the Big Beech, a centuries-old patriarch who looks like he's stepped out of Norse legend. But why are his roots so exposed, almost like stone tentacles? The answer lies in the very nature of the soil: the beech tree grows on a steep, karst slope. For centuries, the’water erosion (The erosion caused by the rain and the surface runoff of water towards the Rujo) has literally “stolen” the ground from beneath its feet.

Instead of surrendering, the beech turned its roots into an external framework: it clung to the living rock with such strength that it merged with it. It is this Desperate embrace for survival that we admire today.

Why is it so crooked? Its contorted and almost tormented shape is no accident. It is the result of an age-old dance with gravity and light:

• Geotropism Growing on a very steep slope, the tree has had to constantly bend its trunk to seek verticality and balance.
• The Hunt for Light In a narrow, wooded valley, the beech tree has “steered” its growth towards the only glimmers of sunlight that filter through the Pre-Alps peaks, creating that unique, sculptural profile.

Curiosity: The village elders say that the beech tree is the “Guardian of the Rujo”. It is said that as long as its roots hold fast to the rock, the water will continue to flow to bring life to the mills of Cison. To stop beneath its canopy is to hear the beat of time slowing down.

Useful information at a glance

• 📏 Length 2.5 km (full loop)
• Clock Walking time: 1 hour 30 minutes (slow pace)
• 📈 Elevation difference +200 metres (constant but gentle)
• Mountain Maximum quota 450 m a.s.l.
• 🥾 Difficulty: T (Tourist) – Easy
• 🦯 Nordic Walking: ✅ Excellent! Regular fund and ideal slopes for the technique
• Family Family-friendly ✅ Absolutely yes! (Educational and safe route; “city” pushchairs not recommended, possible with trekking pushchairs)

✨ Useful info for your relaxation

• What to bring: Shoes with non-slip soles. The dampness near the stream makes the stones cool but slippery.
• The perfect moment Stop near one of the locks; the white noise of the water is the best natural stress reliever.

🥾 Discover our itineraries and book your next adventure here: La Corte di Marga – Experiences & Excursions