발스타냐‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪15‬개의 산길

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

Although the Piccolo Stelvio has nothing to do with the Passo di Stelvio, it does have some hairpin bends with a very pleasant gradient in a beautiful landscape. Highly recommended driveway!

The Primolano Stairs are a series of hairpin bends that connect the Valsugana with the territory of Feltre. The first driveway dirt road was built by the Austrians in the mid-19th century, while the fortification known as the "Tagliata", still visible today on the left for those traveling this uphill stretch, is the work of the Italian military genius and was built at the end of 'Nineteenth century to defend the border with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although it has never been involved in war events, the fortification was destroyed by the Italian military after the defeat of Caporetto to prevent the enemy army from taking advantage of it later. Today the Primolano Stairs are a well-known destination among cyclists, who come here to try their hand at this short climb with its five hairpin bends.