Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 18 hikers
It arises from various springs distributed between Casacorba di Vedelago (TV) and Torreselle di Piombino Dese (PD); the Coa Longa fountain, considered the main source, is located in the latter's territory.
It flows with a certain sinuosity from west to east and, once it reaches the capital of the Marche, it bends in a south-east direction towards the lagoon.
It once flowed into Portegrandi di Quarto d'Altino, but in 1663 the Serenissima diverted its course via the Taglio del Sile canal, which transferred its waters to the old bed of the Piave, which in turn was diverted further east (so the last stretch is also called Piave Vecchia). It finally flows into the Adriatic, dividing the Lido di Jesolo from the Cavallino coast (port of Piave Vecchia).
In Portegrandi, however, the old course is still followed by a branch, called Silone, which gives access to the lagoon (nautical traffic is regulated by locks). The Silone proceeds through the marshes and is extended by the Borgognoni canal-Burano canal, which leads to the Treporti canal and, finally, to the lido port.
The entire course is protected by the Sile River Regional Natural Park. As regards the reclamation consortia, its hydrographic basin is divided between the Piave and the Acque Risorgive.
April 25, 2024
The Sile Towpath (or Restera) is a cycle-pedestrian path along the longest resurgence river in Europe. It follows the so-called Strada Alzaia which from Treviso reaches Casier, formerly used to tow from the shore (with oxen or horses) the large boats that went upstream from Venice and docked at the river port of Treviso. This stretch begins at the Prato Fiera car park, reaches via Alzaia on the left bank of the Sile and continues towards the Mulini Mandelli. Once past the ring road, the Sile divides, forming the island of Villapendola.
June 10, 2024
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