Discover what to do in Lusiana Conco: Parco del Sojo, the valley of the mills, the ring of the three borders. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Lusiana Conco?
The municipality of Lusiana Conco borders to the northeast with Valbrenta, to the northwest with Asiago, to the south with Salcedo, to the southeast with Marostica, to the southwest with Lugo di Vicenza, to the east with Valbrenta and Bassano del Grappa, to the west with Asiago and Lugo di Vicenza.
Parco del Sojo
Enchanting open-air museum, the Parco del Sojo stretches on the southern slopes of the plateau of the seven municipalities. To access it you can leave your car in the square near the cemetery of Covolo, from whose perspective you can enjoy a wide view of the splendid valley framed by suggestive wooded hills.
Alternatively, you can park in front of the charming church of the village of Valle di Sopra.
Along the winding path carpeted in autumn with damp golden leaves, a giant bouquet of colored pencils almost swallowed by the thin swaying fronds of tall beech trees emerges from the ground covered by a dense network of climbing vegetation.
Humanizing the timeless spirit of the woods is the creative flair of artists from all over the world whose languages, thoughts, dreams, and traumas merge with primordial nature, taking the bodily form of astonished, smiling, sometimes enigmatic faces, naked bodies dancing among the intertwining branches, huge suspended hands, open or pointing, tiny hands enclosed or trapped in wooden cages, outstretched bodies chained to bare rock with an ataraxic expression.
For information about the history of the park and its creators, and the ticket price, please consult the official website of Parco del Sojo.
If you are wondering what to do in Lusiana Conco and you are passionate about hiking, immersing yourself in the atmosphere between reality and magic of one of the most suggestive places on the Asiago plateau will be an unforgettable experience!
The valley of the mills
We are in the parking lot in front of the church of the hamlet of Valle di Sopra in Lusiana. Head south towards Valle di Sotto passing through the picturesque building of Rigine, the first stop of the route.
The peaceful location is nestled in the steep and bright grassy hills dotted with dandelions and yellow buttercups that bloom and flourish in the boundless panorama that centuries ago was marked by the regular succession of terraces cultivated with barley, rye, and wheat shining in the sun.
Accessible via winding routes framed by dry stone walls covered with leaves, the pestarino of Rigine is fed by the lively waters of the Chiavone stream which, by activating the powerful trunk of the motor shaft connected to a cogwheel, transmit movement to the stone millstones on the upper floor that hull the barley.
A fascinating example of industrial archaeology, the Armido hammer seems animated by its own life thanks to the incessant movement of the wooden wheel, dotted with thick patches of spongy moss, which sets in motion the large hammer used to shape metal and make nails and tools for agricultural and artisanal use.
Wrapped in the serene rural panorama of Valle di Sotto, the mill of the Garzotto family is one of the most significant and best-preserved milling complexes in the valley of the mills and still contains the millstone for corn.
The ring of the three borders
So called because it includes the localities of Valstagna and Campolongo (currently part of the municipality of Valbrenta) and Lusiana Conco, the ring of the three borders is a pleasant adventure that winds through vast grassy valleys and peaks covered with silent and majestic deciduous forests stretching as far as the eye can see.
Ideal for hiking enthusiasts, the starting point of the trail is the dirt square at Bar Ristorante Val Lastaro (45.81767751319453, 11.626532535389753).
From Monte Frolla, at 1,118 meters above sea level, you can admire one of the most exciting views of the route that embraces the vast valley below.
Follow the signs for the agritourism “Le porte”, then proceed towards Monte Cogolin. Another destination of notable natural and landscape interest is Malga Pozzette (reachable following the 3c sign), where you will find a shelter to refresh yourself before proceeding to the next stages.
At this point proceed towards Malga Col d’Astiago, also equipped with a refreshment area, via a somewhat challenging climb.
Continue along the 3c signs and walk a mule track for about 1 km, then turn right and follow an uphill path (still following the 3c signs) until you reach Malga Montagna Nova di dietro a Conco, from where you can undertake the final dirt section of the formidable walk.
