Asiago Altopiano Mountain Group
Bike Veneto, Italy - Prealpi Mountains
Above the towns of Theine, Breganze, and Marostrica sits the Altopiano (plateau) dei Sette Comuni, commonly known as the Altopiano di Asiago. The area was the stage for many cruel battles during the First World War (for example Ortigara and Cengio and, beyond the plateau, toward the west, Cimone and Pasubio). The plateau, which is easily reached from Vicenza and Padua offers unlimited possibilities to explore and relax. Great hiking and Mountain Biking in the Summer, in the vicinity of Asiago the most developed towns are, to the east, Gallio, Foza, and Enego; to the west Roana. Canove, Cesuna, and Rotzo; and to the south Conco and Lusiana. In the winter the area is a world class cross country ski area and Alpine ski resorts.
The plateau appears unexpectedly to those ascending from the plain along the steep winding road: broad horizons (ensuring about nine hours of sunlight even during winter), large meadows, towns with tall bell towers and a crown of peaks. Ortigara, Cima Caldiera, Portule, Cima Undici, Cima Dodici that were the battlefields of fierce fighting during World War I and are now the destination of excursions retracing history amongst trenches, forts and battlements.
The Plateau is a district including the municipalities of Asiago, Rotzo, Roana, Conco, Lusiana, Gallio, Foza and Enego.
Asiago is a tourist area with a modern appearance, as well as being one of the cross-country skiing capitals of Italy. The well kept historic center and the spectacular landscape surrounding it make this town one of the most popular destinations for winter and summer tourism.
Rotzo is the oldest municipality of the Plateau, as witnessed by the church of Santa Margherita, founded around the year 1000, and by some prehistoric sites such as Bostel, where an interesting Archaeological Track has been created. The town is known for its excellent potatoes, which are grown in dozens of gardens surrounding the town.
The town of Roana is divided into six characteristic hamlets called the Six Belltowers. The Cuchi Museum, located in the hamlet of Cesuna, holds a collection of over 5,000 handcrafted terracotta whistles and tells the long history of these symbols of celebration and joy.
Gallio is visited above all for its sport facilities, such as the ski-jump hill, used by international champions. Foza is located amongst the forests and its houses are decorated with frescoes painted by artists from all over Italy who were invited to decorate the town with their works.
The small towns of Lusiana and Conco are ideal destinations for summer vacations, due to their stable dry climate and enviable sunny location.
Enego is located at the extremity of the Plateau, a mountain village surrounded by the spectacular mountain chain of the Dolomites, Mount Grappa, Mount Lisser, Cima XI, Cima XII and Mount Ortigara.
The town of Asiago, like all other countries of the Plateau, has been directly affected by the events of World War I: during the Strafexpedition was completely destroyed. The city was rebuilt soon after the end of hostilities. The Military Memorial of Asiago contains the remains of 60,000 Italian soldiers and austriaciIl ossuary monument, built on the hill Leiten after the war to collect the remains of fallen soldiers in three years of bitter fighting, has become along with Pasubio, Monte Grappa and Tonezza, a symbol for the province of Vicenza.
Discover the Asiago Altopiano Mountains
Northern Italy is an exceptional choice as an active vacation for those who love to get around by foot.·There are great walks and hikes throughout the regions that lets you explore·the multi layers of history and culture, the varied geographical profile, and these small ecosystems that offer varied food and wine products, a walker·has multiple choices to keep them engaged during their visit.
