Distance and Time required: 6.1 | 2.5h

Elevation gain: 247mt

Difficulty: Facile

Starting Point: Parking in front of Castelbrando in Cison di Valmarino

Short description: A loop walk following the Water Trail, taking us along the paths of the Rio Rujo. Once we reach the halfway point, we’ll head back partly along the same route, then take a detour uphill to Castelbrando—one of the most iconic castles in Italy. And the way down from the castle? Well, with the funicular of course ;-)

Stroller/Wheelchair accessible: No

The Walk

The morning isn't exactly promising, but we decide to go for a hike in the Prealps anyway. Today, mum and Marco Albino are staying home to rest — but we’ve got a new member in the crew: "aunt" Nadia (in Veneto, everyone’s an aunt or uncle), an experienced hiker.

We’re almost ready to drive up to Passo San Boldo, but dark clouds appear up above, and at the last minute we change plans. We go for the Via dell’Acqua (and Via dei Mulini) in Cison di Valmarino, a famous route we haven’t explored yet.

We park under Castelbrando, grab the usual breakfast at Bar Biorka (right by the roundabout at the entrance to the castle) to fuel up, lace up our boots (you’ll want to wear them!), and head out. It’s a bit chilly and the sun doesn’t seem in the mood to come out.

Breakfast at Biorka Bar

We start the walk

We reach Case Marian and take Via Mascagni (then Via Marconi), pass by the town church and turn left at Piazza Roma. I’d promised Sebastian the waterfalls, so while walking along Via MazziniI lift him up on a stone wall to spot the little cascades of the Rujo stream.

Via Mascagni in Cison di Valmarino

Fountain at the beginning of the path

Soon we arrive at a lovely stone bridge with a house in perfect rustic style. We cross and take on the right — the start of the "Via dei Mulini".

We follow the paved road, pass by the headquarters of the "Via dei Mulini" association, and shortly after, we spot the trail map and a first water fountain. Nadia and I carefully study the route (I snap a pic, just to be safe) — our plan is to walk the whole trail, then take a detour to Castelbrando on the way back.

The road becomes cobbled, and we follow signs for Camminando per Volare, which help guide our steps. At a sharp left-hand bend, we leave the cobbles and take a dirt path, which quickly turns back into a village lane.

Sebastian spots hay bales and some old tractors above a rustic barn, then a mill just ahead. His eyes light up and he lets out a big “wow!” — too bad the wheel isn’t turning, but he still studies the building, the wheel, and the stream below with curiosity.

Past the mill, we start a short rocky climb. At a sculpture of a woman’s torso, we follow the sign to the left. The trail is flat and wide, with water running alongside in a small channel.

A mill

Wood bridge

Through the trees, beautiful scenes pop out — flowing water, small waterfalls. We reach a wooden bridge flanked by totem-like sculptures, and a little further, a house and new falls that Sebastian wants to run ahead to explore.

We pause for a minute, toss a few sticks into the stream, and watch the current carry them off. Strangely, Sebastian doesn’t ask for a break. We continue over little wooden walkways with sturdy railings. The only difficulty? Stepping over tree roots. We get through it and reach some benches (Prato Mazarol). Not quite halfway yet, so we keep going.

It’s an easy and pleasant hike. We see a bunch of dogs with their humans, and the constant sound of water on our left is calming — like a soundtrack pulling us away from daily life. We spot wooden carvings of forest elves and climb gently among the rocks.

The trail stays mostly flat, with light ups and downs, some small bridges, and rocky stretches.

Then, mud. A lot of it. The air’s humid too. I ask Sebastian to walk along the guardrail on the right, with aunt Nadia holding his hand.

Near a big rock (which reminds me of Coston del Montello), aunt Nadia spots something out of the corner of her eye. From now on, we’ll call her “Hawkeye”: it’s a salamander! Sebastian wants to touch it, but of course we say no — wild animals should be left alone and not scared. The little creature waddles slowly into a crack in the rock, and we move on.

Waterfall

Salamander

A metal sign shows a quote from Seneca: “What you think of yourself is more important than what others think of you.”

The trail goes on, peaceful and quiet. The mud gets a little firmer. Another lovely waterfall appears. We cross a wooden bridge and spot a huge tree, half of which seems to have been taken down by the wind or maybe lightning. The root system is impressive.

We keep going into the woods and arrive at a big open field. On the left is a bridge with a metal gate; higher up is a parking area and the Bosco delle Penne Mozze memorial. It’s our halfway point. We stop briefly for some taralli and water, then head beyond the gate and down a paved road.

Special tree

Under the trees

But looking at the map, aunt Nadia has a great idea: let’s go back the same way we came, at least until Prato Mazarol (the one with the benches), so we can enjoy the sound of nature rather than passing cars.

Back at the benches, we take a proper break to recharge. But Sebastian’s got one thing on his mind: the castle. He even asks me to call them to make sure it’s still open.

Time for the final stretch. We cross a little wooden bridge over the canal, and we’re on Via San Silvestro. We pass a small chapel and keep walking on the sidewalk for about 500 meters until we reach a roundabout. There, we turn right into Via Santon Osvaldo, and at the T-junction, we go right again on Via Brandolini Brando — we’re right by the sports field.

Prato Mazariol

To the Castle

Now it’s time to climb to the castle — the only real uphill bit of the whole walk. We pass through the entrance gate, walk and walk, and there it is: the tower. We take Sebastian to see the (somewhat cloudy) views.

And how do we get back down? With the funicular, of course! It’s free to go down, and always a thrill for kids — fun to watch them grip the rails tightly. Soon enough, we’re back at the parking lot and heading to the car.

Castelbrando

Funicolar

Mangia e bevi vicino alla camminata

Biorka

Colazioni, aperitivi, pranzi veloci, merende e cocktails.

a Cison di Valmarino in Via Italia n. 61

Tel. 366 368 674

Clicca, Cammina e Gusta

Track gps

Mangia e bevi vicino alla camminata

Biorka

Colazioni, aperitivi, pranzi veloci, merende e cocktails.

a Cison di Valmarino in Via Italia n. 61

Tel. 366 368 674

Clicca, Cammina e Gusta

What to See

Old mills, washhouses, and fulling machines are living witnesses of Cison di Valmarino's past.

Castelbrando definitely needs no introduction. This ancient castle of the Brandolini Counts has been beautifully restored and modernized. Inside you'll find a hotel, a museum, a restaurant, and a tented theatre. You can visit the outside for free. To go up or down, just hop on the funicular from the parking area below.

Refreshments points

Drinking fountain near the benches and picnic tables along the Val dell’Acqua trail

Biorka Bar in Cison di Valmarino - Via Italia n. 61 - Tel. 366 368 674

Curiosities

The Via dell’Acqua (Watermills Trail) feels like stepping back in time to the early 1900s, when the economy of Cison di Valmarino revolved around the waters of the Rujo stream. Along the way, you’ll spot mills, ruins of old fulling plants, rebuilt washhouses, and small canals with clever sluice gates.

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