サンナザリオの峠・トップ14

This large concrete tank pumps water from the springs of the Oliero Caves, thanks to an aqueduct that exceeds 1000m of altitude, and then distributes it throughout the Asiago Plateau: up here in fact the territory is karst, so it does not retain the water that flows downstream through underground passages... practically the same water from rain and snow that naturally flows from the summit, is artificially made to rise out of necessity! The current aqueduct and tank were built on the traces of a system already built during the First World War, to overcome the primary problem of water supply to the Plateau, which presented itself in all its gravity during the conflict, both due to the exponential growth in the number of men present at altitude, and due to the dispute over the few springs by the opposing adversaries. Considered by many to be a horrible structure, for me it is a suggestive, totally detached brutalist architecture, positioned in a natural and uncontaminated environment: a fascinating contrast!

Col d'Asiago offers a beautiful and privileged panoramic point on the underlying Canale del Brenta, or the narrow and deep terminal part of Valsugana. But the view extends over the Asiago Plateau and the entire skyline of mountains that border it to the north, the Grappa Massif to the east and the mouth of Val Brenta. In the distance, the Piccole Dolomiti, the Pale di San Martino and the Vette Feltrine. Precisely because of its strategic position, during the First World War it was a strongly armed Italian defensive bastion and decisive in various phases of the conflict. The peak is also known locally by the ancient and dialect toponym 'Col del S-ciavo', dating back to the time of the Serenissima: on the slopes of the hill in fact the 'schiavoni' (i.e. the non-Latin inhabitants of the dominions of Dalmatia and the Venetian hinterland) cut wood for the naval fleet; the trunks (especially beech trees) were lowered down the valley through the famous and nearby Calà del Sasso; they were then loaded onto rafts that went down the entire Brenta, until they reached the lagoon and the Arsenale of Venice. A large concrete cistern dominates the summit, collecting the water pumped from the Oliero Caves, 1000m further downstream, and distributing it to the Plateau.

... with its EIGHT hairpin bends ;-)

Thurs. October 12th '23 a car rally will be held on the public road that is not (!) closed. For the. For a long time I couldn't tell what was going on - until I noticed the folding chairs with the marshals... If available, the center line is the benchmark for the drivers and the hairpin bends are preferably driven on the inside: Have fun descending into the right-hand bends - there are always a few 'surprises'. I saw 2 Carabinieri vehicles on the way without any apparent surveillance activity - a third was taking care of an illegal parker. Well - I definitely won't be doing this (very nice) lap on this date again.

Col d'Astiago is located in the south-eastern sector of the Asiago plateau. Wide panorama of the Brenta and towards Monte Grappa. Here is the pumping station of the aqueduct that brings water from the Oliero caves to the plateau.

Nice cycling challenge, long and quite tough climb

cycle excursion in Valnevera that sees this isolated relief at its top, where the shooting positions of the Great War are still clearly visible. Valnevera is that hilly massif that lies between Lake Corlo and the old road that, from Arsiè, reaches Primolano through the homonymous "stairs", a set of pre-alpine meadow hills with breathtaking views towards the Cismon valley and the Valsugana in the its southern limit and still towards Enego and the Asiago plateau placed on the opposite side

Often pleasantly sunny, the summit of Col di Gallo is the perfect place for a break after the beautiful climb that passes through the Primolano Stairs.