Discover what to do in Comelico Superiore in Province of Belluno: the church of San Leonardo, a hike to Col Quaternà, the Cascata del Pissandolo. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Comelico Superiore located?
The municipality of Comelico Superiore borders north with Austria, south with Auronzo di Cadore, east with San Nicolò di Comelico and Danta di Cadore, and west with Sesto.
What to do in Comelico Superiore? The hike to Col Quaternà
Panoramic views of Comelico from the church of San Leonardo
With a difference in altitude of 946 metres, the 9.6 km trail takes about three hours to complete.
The starting point of the route is the parking area in Via San Lucano near the church of San Leonardo, whose bell tower rises above the village of Casamazzagno. Built in the mid-1500s, this enchanting place of worship stands on a sunny grassy slope dotted with old barns and characteristic stone-and-wood houses. From the panoramic position of the hilltop, there is a wide-ranging view of the Central Mountain Group, extending to the northeast, which includes Monte Longerin (2571 m a.s.l.), Monte Schiaron (2246 m a.s.l.) and Monte Zovo (1943 m a.s.l.).
To the south rises Monte Tudaio (2,114 m a.s.l.), while to the southeast stands out the Terze group, made up of Monte Terza Grande (2,586 m a.s.l.), Terza Media (2,455 m a.s.l.) and Terza Piccola (2,334 m a.s.l.). To the southwest, the solemn Monte Aiarnola (2456 metres) and the steep snow-covered peaks of Cima Bagni (2,983 m a.s.l.), Croda dei Toni (3,094 m a.s.l.), Monte Popera (3,046 m a.s.l.), Cima Undici (3,092 m a.s.l.) and Croda Rossa (2,965 m a.s.l.) dominate the view.
Trail marker 148 winds along Costa della Spina, crosses Col de La Crodada and leads to the summit of Col Quaternà. Directions for trail 148 can be found in Le Federe, beside a wooden crucifix, where a metal plaque commemorates the visit of Holy Father John Paul II to this place on 3 July 1987.
Towards Col Quaternà
The winding path enters a quiet conifer forest, where we find the signs for trail 149 that leads to Sommo, at 1,750 m a.s.l. A recommended experience for hikers and cycling enthusiasts wondering what to do in Comelico Superiore, the hike to reach the summit of Col Quaternà (2503 m a.s.l.) offers spectacular landscape views of the peaks of central Cadore and of System n°5 Dolomiti UNESCO. From the privileged position of this volcanic hilltop, the stunning views of the Popera group, Col Rosson, Monte Cavallino, Monte Palombino, Cima Vallona, Longerin and Val Comelico are truly impressive.
The presence of trenches and military fortifications on the slopes of Col Quaternà attest to the strategic role of the mountain during the First and Second World Wars. The majestic hill is steeped in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, where it is easy to be lulled by the sound of clear little streams and the echo of the cowbells of grazing cattle. In spring and summer, the vast grassy expanses covering the mountain are tinted with the vivid colours of buttercups, wood sorrels, gentians, rhododendrons and splendid specimens of Epilobio, or camenèrio, recognizable by its flowers that shift from magenta to pale pink.
Cascata del Pissandolo
A highly sought-after spot for photography enthusiasts wondering what to do in Comelico Superiore, the Cascata del Pissandolo is the roaring waterfall created by the Padola stream as it plunges down the steep rocky walls of Passo di Monte Croce Comelico. A frozen white ribbon framed by lush fir trees, the waterfall is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating spots in the municipality.
