Discover what to do in Valle di Cadore in the province of Belluno: the ancient Strada Regia, the Rualan Bridge, the Church of Saints Andrew and John the Baptist. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Valle di Cadore?
The municipality of Valle di Cadore borders to the north with Pieve di Cadore, to the south with Ospitale di Cadore, to the east with Pieve di Cadore and Perarolo di Cadore, to the west with Vodo di Cadore and Cibiana di Cadore.
From the Village of Damos to the Slopes of Monte Zucco
The starting point of the itinerary is the parking lot along Viale Dolomiti near the Old Station of Valle di Cadore, located at the foot of the majestic Antelao mountain group. Proceed downhill along Viale Dolomiti passing the primary school of Valle di Cadore. At the intersection, turn left and follow Via XX Settembre (state road 51) for 550 meters, then turn right onto Via Edmondo de Amicis.
For those driving a camper…
From the camper parking area in Via Chiemis (46.41555381980843, 12.338488285212732), proceed northwest on a slight uphill for 300 meters. At the intersection, turn left and travel along state road 51 of Alemagna for 160 meters, then take Via Edmondo de Amicis on your left.
The Church of the Holy Trinity
At this point, continue on Via Edmondo de Amicis for 300 meters until you reach the Church of the Holy Trinity, a pristine seventeenth-century place of worship surrounded by a bright grassy expanse. Preceded by a stone staircase, the wooden portal is surmounted by a semicircular window above which stands a pictorial representation of the Holy Trinity. The fresco depicts Christ crucified in the center, overshadowed by the dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit, with God the Father supporting the cross.
On the west side of the church rises the square-based bell tower, also accessible via an arched door.
The Strada Regia and the Rualan Bridge
From the church, we resume walking south for about 130 meters until we find, on our left, a stone fountain with signs for the Rualan Bridge, reachable via the Ancient Strada Regia. The thousand-year-old Roman road descends, delving into the dense vegetation of hazelnut, poplar, fir, black locust, and many other lush tall trees, leading to the Rualan Bridge. Bordered by a parapet and topped with a double-pitched roof, the wooden bridge connects the banks of the homonymous stream that cuts through the wooded slope.
Continuing along the Roman road, looking northwest, you can see the white mass of the Church of San Martino Vescovo, a medieval place of worship surrounded by wooded heights.
The path leads to the ruins of two buildings near an abandoned cableway once used to lower logs into the Dolomitic Boite stream, a right tributary of the Piave.
At this point, follow the signs for Perarolo, keeping right. Along the grassy path, you can glimpse a suggestive view of the railway connecting Belluno and Calalzo di Cadore. The winding trail, covered in ferns, leads to the crepa de – Tita, from which a rather steep descent begins, flanked by a not very sturdy wooden fence. Past the sign reading “La Polsa del Nono,” the path runs along the southern slope of Monte Zucco, at the foot of which flows the Boite River, a panoramic spot not to be missed for those wondering what to do in Valle di Cadore.
After passing the area affected by a landslide some years ago, the path enters the thick woods until it reaches the tollbooth of an old railway line that led to the Monte Zucco tunnel. Follow the signs for Damos, climb the metal ladder, and continue slightly uphill until you meet a slightly wider dirt path. Turn right towards Damos.
The Church of Saints Andrew and John the Baptist
The wooded path leads to the Church of Saints Andrew and John the Baptist and the cemetery of the inhabitants of Damos. Decorated with splendid 14th-century frescoes, the ancient place of worship is surrounded by the majestic peaks of Monte Antelao, Monte Pelmo, Monte Rite, Croda Cuz, Monte Boschet, and Cima dei Preti.
Near the church, there is a panoramic viewpoint from which you can admire the course of the Boite and the Piave River, dominated by Croda Cuz. Keep right along the path that in less than half an hour leads to the fork for Valle di Cadore and Perarolo di Cadore. Keep right again towards Valle di Cadore to return to the starting point.
If you are wondering what to do in Valle di Cadore, this pleasant loop trail is recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in greenery and silence and admire some of the most photogenic landscapes of Cadore.
