BETWEEN THE BERICI AND THE EUGANEAN HILLS

(Cologna Veneta – Piazzola sul Brenta, 66 km)

After covering the Mantua-Verona stretch between Ostiglia and Cologna Veneta, mostly through the boundless flat expanse of Valli Grandi, the Green Tour itinerary continues along the former railway to Treviso, through the strip of flat land that lies between the Berici and the Euganean hills. Here, you can enjoy the view of the nearby hills, within easy reach by bike, which hold amazing environmental and artistic treasures, as well as plenty of opportunities to taste fine food and wine, and undoubtedly among the most picturesque and interesting places in the whole region.

In this stage, spanning the provinces of Verona, Vicenza and Padua, the former Treviso-Ostiglia railway has been almost completely turned into a cycling and walking path, and will continue being a constant presence along our journey. The entire stage is punctuated by old stations, railway keeper’s houses, and bridges—the only thing missing being the railway carriages.

You leave the centre of Cologna Veneta (km 0.0) through via Roma, then via XX Marzo towards the sports facilities, from where a ramp lets you climb up to the former railway trackbed, which you join directly (km 1.3) on the fine surviving iron bridge over the river Guà, which has been restored as a bicycle bridge. After crossing the river Guà, you continue along the new cycle path and you’ll cross from the province of Verona into Vicenza almost without realising it (6.0 km). A series of interesting, modern bridges span the many rivulets and streams crossed by the cycle path, in sequence: at km 6.4 the Alonte, at km 12.3 the Frassenella and at km 12.8 the Liona. In the middle, the empty shell of the former Orgiano railway station (km 8.6) followed by the one in Sossano (km 13.9). One hopes they can both be restored and become lively cafés as has happened elsewhere. On the left, a short detour takes you to the lively hamlet of Sossano, with plenty of bars and restaurants. After Sossano, you continue along the former Treviso-Ostiglia railway until Ponte di Barbarano (km 18.5), where the itinerary merges with another former railway, the Riviera Berica – which we will describe in more detail below – until Ponte di Mossano, (km 20.3), where the two bike paths diverge. Across a picturesque bicycle bridge, the route crosses both the Berica provincial road and the Bisatto canal, then gently descends into the surrounding plain. You continue on the cycle path with no other interruptions, leaving the hamlet of Ponte di Nanto on your left (km 22.7) and Villaganzerla (km 24.7) on your right, one kilometre after the old railway station. At km 26.6 the former railway is abruptly interrupted by the new A31 motorway. Our cycling route then continues to the right, following the motorway embankment from below as we look for the underpass. After passing beneath provincial road SP16 (after 600 m), we find it another 700 m ahead on the left (km 27.8). Once through to the other side, we keep left, following the motorway in the opposite direction until we are back alongside the SP16 on a dedicated cycle path. (Note: if the underpass is impassable, you can cross the A31 using the SP16 overpass). Continue on the cycle path next to SP16 and through the small farming village of Ghizzole (km 29.5). Just after it (km 30.2) you will cross the Bacchiglione river path, part of regional itinerary I-1 Garda-Venice, and soon come to a roundabout where, near a former railway keeper's house, you will ride into the section of the former Treviso-Ostiglia railway that has already been turned into a bike and foot path (km 31.2). You ride easily along the tarmac laid on the old railway bed until reaching Barbano, in the municipality of Grisignano di Zocco, where you pass yet another former level-crossing keeper’s house. This one, however, has been turned into an info point for the many cycling tourist who enjoy this area (km 35.0). Grisignano di Zocco is one of the most important nodes of the regional road network linking Verona-Vicenza-Padua-Venice. There is a toll station of the A-4 motorway, it is crossed by the SR11 Padana Superiore regional road and there is a very convenient railway station as well. It is also the last part in the Vicenza province along our itinerary: in the hamlet of Pojana di Granfion (km 40.4) begins the most well-known and enjoyable stretch of the former railway. You will now pedal leisurely under the lush green canopy of this former railway line, which has been given a new lease of life as a slow mobility thoroughfare. Half-way through, you will cross the municipality of Campodoro and its historical hamlet Bevadoro (km 42.3), and you will finally reach the end of this stage, Piazzola sul Brenta, with the magnificent villa Contarini (km 48.7).