Distance and Time required: 4,9 Km | 2.0 h

Elevation gain: 261mt

Difficulty: Medium

Starting Point: Parking in Piazza San Michele in Vittorio Veneto (on public holidays); otherwise, try the parking lots in Via Carlo Baxa.

Short description: A loop through the village of Ceneda (which forms part of the city of Vittorio Veneto). Starting from the Via dei Profumi, we will climb to San Martino Castle and then continue along the scenic San Paolo Hill to the Temple of San Rocco. The route offers a perfect mix of history, breathtaking views, and nature, culminating in Papadopoli Park with its centuries-old trees, before returning to the starting point.

Stroller/Wheelchair accessible: No

The Walk

A typical sunny October day with a clear sky that promises beautiful views. On the advice of publisher Alessandro de Bastiani, Evelina and I decided to visit Papadopoli Park in Vittorio Veneto, not without "weaving in" a walk of our own. Today the kids are at school, so it’s just the two of us.

Parking in the Vittorio Veneto area is a bit tricky: on holidays, you can park freely in front of the Church of San Michele, but on weekdays it is better to opt for another area (such as Via Braxa) because the parking spots around the church have a maximum stay of one hour.

It’s time to set off, and we are immediately struck by the austere charm of the Church of San Michele, with its plain brick façade devoid of any decorative elements. Unfortunately, it is closed, so we continue along the road that runs past the left side of the religious building, and at the junction, we turn right onto Via del Castello di San Martino.

We cross the railway tracks and our thoughts immediately turn to the kids at school; if they had been with us, they would have wanted to stop here to watch at least one train pass by—a bit like Artemio in the movie "Il Ragazzo di campagna"

We pass a soccer field and catch a glimpse of a white cross above the thicket; it will definitely be a goal for a future trip. Near a bend, the start of the "Via dei Profumi" (Path of Scents) is marked—a 600-meter stretch surrounded by about 300 native plants, whose essences fragrance the path at different times throughout the year.

The road changes from asphalt to gravel, allowing us to fully enjoy the natural feel of the place. The lush green of these large trees is balanced by the panoramic views over the town of Ceneda on our left.

In a short time, we reach the square beside San Martino Castle and, passing between two wooden fences, we take the path that climbs up San Paolo Hill. Some signposts appear, which we will follow for a while. Evelina asks me why we deviated onto this stretch instead of following the asphalt road, and obviously, I tell her it’s to stay in the greenery for longer.

The path is well-marked, though a bit narrow in sections. Through the thicket, there are countless panoramic views: Ceneda, the Tower of San Martino Castle, and the Cansiglio. The birds, encouraged by the sun that is beginning to warm the air, start to chirp.

The thicket opens up and we reach a clearing featuring one of the "Palasi," which was once part of the castle's defensive structures. The view is spectacular. Carefully, we head down along the well-trodden path and re-enter the vegetation. A quick glance up at San Paolo Hill and we catch sight of the bell tower of the Church of the Romit (Hermit). We can't help but notice how, in every part of the world, these hermits always chose high-altitude places—partly to distance themselves from worldly life, and perhaps partly to be closer to heaven and to God.

The descent, surrounded by purple flowers, ends along the paved road (Via Brevia) near one of the castle gates. We walk down this street, which is home to several "capitelli" (shrines) of the Stations of the Cross.

Once we reach the intersection, we turn right onto Via San Rocco. On our left, we find the boundary wall of Papadopoli Park and, consequently, its majestic large trees.

After about 300 meters, we follow the signs on the left for the Temple of San Rocco along a gravel road. After reaching the small church, we take a quick look at the view and then head down the stairs in front of the building, which end among the local houses—some of which are very charming..

At the crossroads, we turn left into Via Fris and then keep left onto Via F. Rossi. On our left, Villa Papadopoli appears; unfortunately, it is in ruins. It is truly sad to see such works literally collapsing—they are a historical and artistic heritage that represents our history, yet we unfortunately fail to protect them.

Reaching the Villa Papadopoli roundabout, we enter the park and lose ourselves wandering through the paths, admiring the mighty trees. What struck us most was the Gingko Biloba, recognized, of course, by Evelina. Used to seeing it as a small plant, I was truly impressed by the size it can reach. The stillness of this park makes it a perfect spot for a break and some relaxation.

It’s time to retrace our steps; we leave the park and take Via Brevia (between the Library and the Cathedral), following it straight all the way to the Castle. We head inside for a short visit and, upon crossing the threshold, we are welcomed by a beautiful Lion of Saint Mark and the usual panoramic views that have accompanied us throughout the morning.

After finishing our visit to the castle, we follow the "Via dei Profumi" in the opposite direction from this morning and walk down Via San Martino until we reach the car.

Photo Gallery