The most beautiful trails in the Euganean Hills

The Euganean Hills rise elegantly above the Po Valley: a Regional Park established in 1989 for the protection and enhancement of the natural, agricultural and historically significant sites. It covers an area of approximately 19,000 hectares with highly varied pedoclimatic characteristics.

The Euganean Hills are crisscrossed by a dense network of trails that connect all 17 municipalities within the Park. Some are easy, others challenging and some can be traversed with attention to natural, historical or legendary aspects. The best seasons for a trip on the Euganean Hills are spring and autumn; in summer we suggest the paths shaded by woods; winter captivates with the magnificent spectacle of thermal inversion.

EASY WALKS IN THE EUGANEAN HILLS

Ring of Monte Venda and Olivetani Monastery

The Lorenzoni trail with the deviation towards the Olivetani Monastery constitutes a moderately easy route, even for non-experienced hikers. The stretch from Sottovenda Street to Maronari (marron trees) Lake is wheelchair accessible and charming throughout the year.

The allure of the ruins of the Olivetani Monastery, built in the second half of the 1100s, is enhanced by the large cross facing southeast. As one of the highest viewpoints, on clear days, the view extends from the Apennines to nearby Venice, with the bell tower of San Marco visible. Beyond the glimmer of the lagoon and sea, if you are lucky, Istria can be glimpsed.

The path winds through chestnut, oak and robinia woods with a rich understory of ferns, snowdrops, and holly: here you can breathe deeply. This is one of the most versatile routes, with several intermediate destinations that do not require completing the entire circuit. If you want to complete the ring, you can find all the necessary directions here.

After completing the walk, we invite you to our winery for a glass of wine and a snack: we are only 1 km away and would be happy to welcome you. Often, in the colder months, we enjoy the sunset above a sea of pink-tinted fog.

Monte Fasolo

The Monte Fasolo trail is particularly enchanting in spring thanks to the blooming almond trees that line the path. It is located in the central part of the Euganean Hills, ensuring the landscape remains untouched by industrial constructions. The route has gentle slopes and a length of about 6-7 km round trip, requiring no special physical preparation.

Along the way, you can admire various floral species such as olive trees, almond trees, oak and chestnut woods, as well as various bird species and small wildlife. Here  you can see the map.

Monte Ricco

The trail of Monte Ricco and Monte Castello is a historically interesting route of medium difficulty that covers the southeastern part of the Euganean Hills. Among viewpoints, hermitages and fortifications, it is one of the most stimulating walks, spanning 5 km. Climbing from Monselice, on the clearest days, you can catch a glimpse of the Apennines.

As often happens in the Euganean Hills, while traversing this path, you will pass through various microclimates: from oak and chestnut woods, to a vegetation composed of oaks, hornbeams, holm oaks and strawberry trees. Here  is the trail map.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY WALKS IN THE EUGANEAN HILLS

Monte Cecilia

Monte Cecilia is an interesting spot for those who want to visit the "vegri", spot the Ruta patavina, wild orchids, brooms and junipers. It is a fairly easy and not too steep path, suitable for families as well. Starting from Baone, along the way, you will find a deviation to the ruins of the medieval castle of the "Da Baone" family: it's worth a visit.

The path has precious relevance for the present floral species: in addition to the vegri, you can spot black hornbeams, oak trees, robinias, ash trees, a rich undergrowth of wild asparagus, "berretta del prete" and holly. Bring your camera!

To prepare for the route, study the map.

Monte Cinto

Monte Cinto has a fairly easy and interesting route from a historical and geological perspective, starting right next to the Geopaleontological Museum of Cava Bomba. Already after the first meters of walking, you can observe explanatory tables with the origin of the Euganean Hills, large rocks with plaques representing the various Euganean rocks, an old quarry with some ancient equipment. What will attract the attention of the little ones, however, is the reconstruction of some dinosaurs.

Before or after the walk, however, we recommend a visit to the Museum, which houses ancient fossils, rocks, mineralogical collections, traditional tools, all explained in a simple way.

The path of Monte Cinto interprets the great biodiversity of the Euganean Hills, winding through chestnut and robinia woods alternated with turkey oak, flowering ash, heather and rockrose. Here and there, you can spot olive trees and slopes combed by vineyards.

If you feel like taking a panoramic photo, we recommend reaching the famous "Buso dei Briganti", a legendary observation point. Here  is the complete route.

Pianoro del Mottolone

This panoramic point can be reached on foot or by car and is surrounded by a branching of trails that connect with each other. Ideal if you feel like taking a few steps on foot.

Around you, you can notice "vegri"with brooms, strawberry trees, rosemary and beautiful wild orchids. There are also cultivated olive trees and vineyards. Pianoro del Mottolone is renowned for its sunsets, but if you want to see an even more suggestive spectacle, go there in late autumn and let yourself be enchanted by the thermal inversion. Why not, maybe at sunset.

Here  you can discover a little more about Pianoro del Mottolone.

THE MOST CURIOUS TRAILS

Monte Ceva

The Monte Ceva path is one of the most surprising (and challenging) routes in the Euganean Hills: the richness of microclimates and biodiversity, along with the historical significance of points of interest like the former Quarry of Monte Croce, are just some of the peculiarities of this route. The length of the trail depends on deviations along the way, with a medium difficulty level and some exposed points where a rope fixed to the rock wall can be helpful.

This mountain is a true treasure trove of biodiversity. It hosts around 1200 plant species and with its prickly pears, strawberry trees, rockroses and tree heather, it represents a slice of Mediterranean life in the heart of the Po Valley. A tip: as it is mostly exposed to the sun, it is best to avoid the hottest months. Here  you can discover the trail in detail.

Rocca Pendice

Rocca Pendice is one of the places where you can enjoy nature and history: at the summit of the mountain, you can see the ruins of the Speronella castle and in the surroundings, rocks carved with the Carraresi coat of arms have been found.

Rocca Pendice is a natural rock wall suitable for sport climbing, made up of veins of trachyte emerging from the underlying sedimentary rocks. It is also a place that hosts animal and plant species that require great attention and protection, such as the peregrine falcon, cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) and a small fern (Asplenium foresienze).

Some things to keep in mind: in certain periods, the rock wall may not be accessible; in winter, some sections of the trail may be icy and slippery. Here  you can find more information about Rocca Pendice.

The Alta Via of the Euganean Hills

The Alta Via (high path) is path number 1 and with its 41.5 km in length and 2000 m of elevation gain, it crosses the central-northern area of the Euganean Hills: an immersive journey rich in incredible scenery. The beauty of this route lies in the continuous ups and downs that allow you to admire the most beautiful peaks: Monte Pirio, Monte Venda, Monte Fasolo, Rusta, Brecale, and Passo del Vento...

You can only imagine the variety of flora and fauna you will encounter along the way!

A piece of advice we can give you, to make the most of this experience if you are not highly trained, is to stop overnight halfway: there are many B&Bs along the route that will be happy to welcome you. Here  is the map of the Alta Via.

The Alta Via also passes by our winery and we would be happy to offer you a taste, a glass of wine and tell you a bit more about this splendid territory.

BIKE ROUTES IN THE EUGANEAN HILLS

The Cyclotouristic Ring of the Euganean Hills

For bike enthusiasts, the Euganean Hills offer a route that circumnavigates the entire Regional Park: a straightforward route suitable for both mountain bikes and electric bikes. The cyclotouristic ring spans about 63 km and offers numerous stops. You can start from a point of your choice and complete the circuit in a day.

Along the route, you can admire timeless beauties such as historic villas, castles and abbeys; with short detours, you can reach wineries, olive mills and trattorias. If you prefer, you can choose to have a picnic at the rest areas you encounter along the way. The beauty of the ring also lies in the changing landscape. From fields of poppies to vineyards, from wheat fields to woods: the overall effect is a tonic for the mood.

Spring and autumn are the best times for cyclotourism, but the route is accessible year-round. Here  you can find the map.