The walk
The day’s a bit so-so, and as we arrive in Possagno we notice some big clouds hanging over Monte Grappa — but luckily they seem to be clearing.
We park the car right in front of Canova’s Temple. While the kids play on the steps under the Doric colonnade, Evelina goes inside to check out the interior. The kids’ laughter echoes across the square — even though I “Shhh” them every three seconds — but that “tilted” bell tower just cracks them up.


When Evelina comes out, we take the road that runs to the left of the Temple and cross a little bridge, following the signs for Colle San Rocco. But instead of climbing up the Via Crucis, we stay to the left. We’re right next to the remains of an old religious building, and after a few steps we spot a sign marking the start of the nature trail.
We follow the path, passing a little olive grove and a dry-stone wall. The view to our left is hidden at first by trees and bushes, but little by little it opens up.


We get a clear look at the hill that was dug out to make the famous “Coppi” roof tiles of Possagno. With a few gentle ups and downs, we keep walking through acacias, oaks, and twisting ivy. The kids are playing tag, and Sebastian shows me a mix of acacia and ivy that forms a leafy “hand” above the trail — like it’s giving hikers a friendly pat on the back.


We cross a dry stream and see another olive grove to the left. After a short stretch, the trail slopes down a bit more steeply, but the surface is solid and not slippery. And along this descent we find a treasure (at least, for a first grader it is!): a rock shaped like the number 1! It obviously has to be taken straight to his math teacher. We reach the end of the nature path and turn left.
Soon we’re on a paved road, and in a garden by the roadside we spot mini replicas of landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower. A friendly dog walks along with us for a bit.


We turn right and follow the road, keeping left at the fork and heading toward Contrada Vardanega. We pass a small shrine to the Virgin Mary, then turn left again where there’s a bench. Just before the curve, we take the trail that drops down next to a house. We’re now on the “Strada dei Mort”, kind of like Nature Trail No. 2.
We stick to the main trail without taking any turns, and before long we’re back on a paved road (Via Europa). Right in front of us is the quarry again, towering in the distance. We walk past a couple of gardens where chickens, goats, ducks, and turkeys follow us suspiciously — maybe they’re hungry. Naturally, Marco Albino and Sebastian run after them.


We follow Via Europa to the junction with Via Molinetto, and keep going straight. Marco Albino pretends to be a tightrope walker on the edge of a little wall while mamma, Samuele, and Sebastian walk ahead. We reach a sign for Contrada Masiere (there are also signs for the Malghe) and head left uphill until we reach the Church of San Francesco.
From here we turn right onto Via San Francesco, and after passing the town’s cemetery we go left onto Via Sant’Albino. We stay on this road without turning until we reach the entrance of the Canova High School.


We turn left onto Piazzetta San Pio X and we’re back at Canova’s Temple.
From here, we head to the Agriturismo "A Due Passi dal Tempio" for a well-deserved tagliere of cold cuts with a panoramic view.


If you’ve never visited Canova’s Gypsotheca and his house, I really recommend going to see the master’s work. We skipped it this time because… well, with the kids, we’re not 100% sure. They might find out the statues are made of plaster and try to use them as chalk on the blackboard...