If you look at Vittorio Veneto from below, especially when standing in the medieval heart of Serravalle, you experience a strange feeling of oppression and wonder. The city is squeezed into a deep gorge, protected by sheer rock faces that seem almost to want to hide it. But if you raise your gaze beyond the roofs and bell towers, you understand that the rock is not a prison: it is an invitation to climb.

For guests of The Court of Marga for those who love walking, there's an experience of Trekking near Vittorio Veneto It's a real rite of passage. It's not a simple walk in the woods, but a vertical ascent that transforms you: it begins with the millennia-old history of the plain, passes through places of pagan sacrifices and Christian legends, and then launches onto the grassy ridges where the wind already smells of high altitude.

The start of the journey: The worn stones and Augusta's blood

The trek begins in the most evocative way possible: leaving the tarmac behind and taking the monumental Istrian stone staircase that climbs behind the Duomo of Serravalle. From the very first steps, the sensation is that of treading on history. The cobblestones of the climb are smooth, polished, worn down over the centuries by the knees of pilgrims and the hooves of travellers.

The legend of the Castrum and the martyrdom

This first part of the path is the 17th-century Via Sacra, marked by seven votive chapels that serve as resting stops and viewpoints. But the architectural beauty here clashes with a story of love and bloodshed dating back to the High Middle Ages.

Legend tells of Augusta, daughter of Madrucco, the ruthless pagan king who dominated from the Castle of Serravalle. Secretly converted to Christianity, the young woman devoted herself to the poor and the sick, healing them miraculously. When her father discovered her faith, blinded by rage and proto-medieval pride, he had her tortured and finally beheaded her with his own hands.

Reaching the summit, after about 40 minutes of constant ascent in the shade of the cypresses, means reaching the Shrine of Saint Augusta, Perched on Mount Marcantone. On the tree-lined square, suspended in silence, the panorama opens up for the first time: Serravalle looks like a tiny medieval model, nestled among the mountains, and your gaze sweeps freely across the entire plain of Treviso.

Mount Altar: Where Archaeology Meets Wild Woodland

For many tourists, the journey ends at the Sanctuary. For those who love true outdoor adventures, however, this is where the mountain begins to get wild. Beyond the sacred structures, the path transforms into a dirt track that delves into the shadows of the pre-Alpine woods.

attualmente si sta andando verso il Altare Mount, a place that emanates a magnetic and ancient energy. This hill is not just a geographical destination, but an open-air sanctuary frequented by humans since time immemorial. Archaeological excavations have found traces of pagan cults dating back to Paleoveneti (Almost 3,000 years ago) and subsequently to the Celts and the Romans.

Walking among these oaks and hornbeams, knowing that the remains of ancient sacrificial altars lie beneath the roots, where the peoples of the Pedemontana offered gifts to the gods to ensure good harvests or protect warriors, imbues the trek with a profound sense of mystery. Nature here is not merely a backdrop; it is a guardian of the sacred.

The Ridge Path: walking on the edge of the world

Continuing the ascent towards the ridge that leads to Col Visentin or Monte Pizzoc, the forest gradually thins. The arboreal vegetation gives way to high-altitude meadows, and you find yourself walking on the famous Ridge Trail.

This is the most thrilling moment of the whole journey. You walk along a narrow strip of grass and rock suspended between two contrasting worlds:

• To the left (North): The horizon is suddenly broken by the vertical, geometric, and majestic walls of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. Light, rugged rocks that smell of Alpine legends.
• To the right (South): The view glides unhindered across the endless expanse of the Veneto plain. On days when the air from the foothills is clean and clear, the gaze flies beyond Conegliano and Treviso until it catches the silvery shimmer of the Venetian Lagoon and the profile of St. Mark's Campanile.

Few trekking routes manage to offer such an emotional contrast: having your feet in the Prealps, your eyes on the Dolomites, and your gaze lost in the Adriatic Sea. The wind that blows on these ridges clears your thoughts and restores the profound meaning of the journey.

Tips for conquering the mountain of Serravalle

This itinerary is an unforgettable experience, but it requires the right respect:

• Firm step: The climb to Sant'Augusta is within everyone's reach, but continuing along the ridges requires professional trekking shoes with excellent grip (Vibram sole) due to exposed and rocky sections.
• The Seasons of Light: Autumn offers the foliage ablaze in the woods of Monte Altare and the clearest air of the year to see Venice. Spring covers the ridges with rare pre-Alpine blooms.
• Water reserve Carry plenty of water in your backpack: once you pass the sanctuary, the mountain becomes more rugged and you won't find any fountains until the peaks.

🗺️ Useful information at a glance

• 📐 Length 10.5 km (loop route starting and finishing in the historic centre of Serravalle – Piazza Flaminio)
• Clock Tempo 3h 45min (steady pace, excluding contemplative breaks or the stop at the Sanctuary)
• 📈 Elevation difference +480 metres
• 🥾 Difficulty: E (Hikers). The first part up to Sant'Augusta is a steep but manageable climb on stone steps; the continuation towards Monte Altare and the ridge path requires sturdy footwear and good acclimatisation to unpaved mountain terrain.
• 🚶 Nordic Walking: Yes, pushing with trekking poles is an excellent help along the sacred path and becomes essential for maintaining balance along the grassy ridge.
• 👥 Families Yes, the ascent to the Sanctuary is a beautiful excursion even for children; the second part of the itinerary towards the peaks and ridges is only recommended for older children who are already accustomed to mountain walking.
• 🛒 Pushchairs No. The initial monumental staircase features wide steps made of Istrian stone, and the continuation winds along a woodland path and ridges, which are not suitable for pushchairs.

The regenerating return to La Corte di Marga

“After conquering the incline, traversing the sacred woods of the Paleoveneti, and walking the crests of the pre-Alps, the descent towards civilisation tastes of triumph. Your return to Miane will be the sweetest moment of the day. We await you in our La Corte di Marga Apartments, oases of peace where you can leave your backpack, enjoy a refreshing shower and relax your legs in the silence of our World Heritage hills by the poolside or in our splendid garden.