Discover what to do in Borca di Cadore in the Province of Belluno: Bike ride in Vodo di Cadore and Borca di Cadore, the Varettoni mill, Ru de Àssola Waterfall. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Borca di Cadore?
The municipality of Borca di Cadore borders north with San Vito di Cadore, south with Vodo di Cadore, southwest with Val di Zoldo, east with Calalzo di Cadore, west with Selva di Cadore.
Bike ride in Vodo di Cadore and Borca di Cadore
The starting point of the route is Piazza Santa Lucia, the historic core of the village framed to the west by the primary school of Vodo di Cadore, to the south by the wooded slopes of Monte Rite, and to the north by the Church of Santa Lucia Vergine Martire, behind which stands the majestic snow-covered mass of Monte Antelao.
From the square we head north, leaving the entrance to the 15th-century place of worship on our right, and continue to the intersection with the Strada Statale 51 di Alemagna. We turn left, then immediately right onto the winding uphill road that connects to the Dolomites cycle path.
We follow the cycle path northwest for about three and a half kilometres until we find an area with gym equipment for pull-ups and stretching (46.43846252918497, 12.219495152556622).
From Borca di Cadore to the Varettoni Mill
We descend the grassy slope that opens onto Strada Statale 51 at the town hall of Borca di Cadore. We turn right, then immediately left into Via Riva del Ponte. After crossing the scenic bridge over the Boite, a freezing stream born from the Dolomite springs of Cianpo de Crosc, we turn left into Via Salieto and continue along Via della Chiesa. When we reach the Church of the Saints Simone and Giuda Taddeo, we turn right into Via Fusineles, pass the cemetery of Borca di Cadore and cross Ponte di Cancia, the starting point of an exciting hike that leads to Malga Ciauta and the Venezia refuge, built on the slopes of Monte Pelmo.
After crossing the bridge, we keep left to reach the Varettoni Mill, an ancient hydraulic workshop in stone and wood, beautifully preserved and located close to the right bank of the clear watercourse. After the visit, we head back and cross the bridge again, then turn right and follow Via Cavour toward the Church of San Rocco. Once we reach the place of worship, we keep right and continue for about 150 metres until we find the Cancia fountain on our left. We turn left and rejoin Strada Statale 51 via Via Guglielmo Marconi, cross the pedestrian crossing and take Via Antelao, then turn right onto the cycle path that will take us back to the centre of Vodo di Cadore.
Along the comfortable paved cycle route, it is possible to take in bright grassy expanses dotted with buttercups, Achillea millefoglie and occhi della Madonna. Framed by quiet conifer woods, the sunlit meadow areas are dominated by the solemn peaks of Monte Antelao and Monte Pelmo.
Shortly after passing Chalet del Capriolo, at Via Nazionale, 110, we take the tree-lined side street on our right. At the intersection with Strada Statale 51, we cross the pedestrian crossing and follow Via Rezzuò for just under three hundred metres, then turn right into Via Fornas. At this point we cross the dam walkway, from which breathtaking scenic views of Lake of Vodo di Cadore dominated by Cima Tofana can be seen.
The route enters dense conifer vegetation, crosses a clearing where logs are stacked, and rejoins the paved road leading to Malga Ciauta. We keep left and cross the bridge over the Boite, then continue along Via Chiarediego, leaving the Palada Sports Centre on our right, and carry on until we return to Piazza Santa Lucia.
What to do in Borca di Cadore? Visit Ru de Àssola Waterfall
The starting point of the hike that leads to Ru de Àssola Waterfall is the parking area near the cemetery of Borca di Cadore in Via Fusineles, by the Church of the Saints Simone and Giuda Taddeo. We cross Ponte di Cancia and follow the directions for trail 476, closed to traffic. The first stretch of the route, on asphalt, leads into a lush forest of fir trees, whose canopies tower over the flourishing undergrowth covered in ferns.
When we reach the fork, we follow the detour that in a few minutes brings us to the spectacular waterfall, like a white ribbon suspended between steep rock walls; as we get closer, it is easy to be enchanted by the ever more intense roar of the water plunge crashing against the moss-covered rocks.
If you are wondering what to do in Borca di Cadore, this short itinerary is recommended for those who wish to immerse themselves in a primeval, fairy-tale atmosphere set in the heart of the Dolomites, where green and peace reign supreme.
