Stage 18
Fai della Paganella > Pieve di Soligo
The start from Fai della Paganella offers yet another chance to admire the Brenta Dolomites.
Fai della Paganella
The start from Fai della Paganella offers yet another chance to admire the Brenta Dolomites, but not only that. The Castle of Fai, built in the 17th century by the Spaur family, stands as an important historical landmark of the area, while the MAS Museum (Museum of Arts and Traditions) provides insight into local customs and traditions. Among the wellness experiences, the Parco del Respiro stands out: an area dedicated to forest bathing, immersed in the woods.
The first downhill kilometers lead to the Piana Rotaliana, covered with vineyards where Trento DOC - symbolic sparkling wine of excellence - and Teroldego Rotaliano DOC, considered the prince of Trentino’s red wines, are produced. Soon after comes Trento, welcoming visitors with the magnificence of the Cathedral of San Vigilio, the frescoed façades of its 16th-century palaces, the artworks housed in Buonconsiglio Castle, and the MUSE – Museum of Science designed by Renzo Piano.
From here the route climbs toward the Valsugana, crossed throughout its length by one of Italy’s oldest cycling paths. From Pergine, lying at the foot of its medieval castle, the road quickly reaches Lake Caldonazzo, awarded the European Blue Flag for the quality of its waters. Then comes Lake Levico, which cuts through the vegetation like a Norwegian fjord.
The mountains are now behind as the route reaches Feltre, a historic crossroads between the Veneto region and Trentino, a town that has cultivated a devotion to beauty over the centuries. With the defensive walls surrounding the historic hilltop center no longer needed, visitors can stroll among historic palaces, churches, and monuments of great value. Via Mezzaterra is the Renaissance heart of the city and should be followed all the way to Piazza Maggiore.
Pieve di Soligo
The race then enters the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Vineyards and wineries define the final kilometers of the stage, though there is still room for memorable diversions. In Valdobbiadene, the neoclassical Villa dei Cedri and the Church of San Floriano remind visitors that wine has not always been the only protagonist here. The same is true in Follina, home to the medieval Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria. And one should not forget the 17th-century Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo, one of the most photographed spots in the area.
After the finish, it is pleasant to wander through the streets of Pieve di Soligo, beginning with Cal Santa, one of the oldest streets in the historic center, or exploring Borgo Stolfi, where traditional houses stand beside the old millstream and its waterwheel powered by the Soligo River. Also worth seeing are the 17th-century Villa Chisini-Daniotti, the baroque Church of Madonna del Carmine, and the 19th-century Palazzo Balbi Valier. Finally, do not miss the Ponte del Contenzioso, whose name recalls ancient and heated disputes. Today, however, the only clashes here are between raised glasses, naturally filled with Prosecco.
