In a summer that promises to be so hot, there's nothing better than taking shelter and retreating to the mountains. Nature offers countless opportunities for refreshment and respite from the city, often serving as a starting point for mountain and nature adventures.
If you're planning a vacation in Veneto and want to stay in the city, you can reach breathtakingly beautiful hikes and excursions within a few kilometers: just think of summer excursions in the Dolomites or picturesque walks through the Prosecco hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get ready to discover summer hikes and treks in Veneto, where you can cool off on your vacation and enjoy unique experiences in touch with nature.
From Prosecco to the first hills
Among the Prosecco hills, the pace immediately slows, almost following a natural rhythm. Here, the landscape doesn't require much effort; all you have to do on these hills is pay attention and enjoy the neat rows of vines, the gentle ridges, the cozy villages, and the views that change with the light, making every walk a little journey within a journey. Whatever the season, the Prosecco hills offer unforgettable experiences.
The Prosecco Hills Trail is a simple yet essential itinerary, ideal for those who love accessible and captivating trekking. The trail crosses a UNESCO World Heritage site and extends for 51 km along a scenic ridge connecting Vidor to Vittorio Veneto, passing through geology, religious sites, and cultural encounters. The entire trail can be completed in 4 days and 3 nights, with 5 stages suitable for everyone, exploring the Alta Marca Trevigiana.
For those staying in Veneto and wanting to combine city life with nature, this type of itinerary is perfect: you can set off in the morning, walk through vineyards and churches, stop in a village for a break, and return in the evening without sacrificing comfort. It's the kind of experience that combines exercise, beauty, and local identity, especially if you're traveling during the warmer months and are looking for a scenic yet not too strenuous excursion.
On the Prosecco hills
The beauty of these hills is that there's no single way to experience them. You can choose the most structured route, or build a day of walks along the various ridges and secondary paths, taking advantage of the network of itineraries in theUNESCO area. The hiking options are numerous and allow you to discover even lesser-known corners, where tourism slows down and the landscape takes center stage.
Among the most interesting trails in the Prosecco Hills, the Cammino delle Colline del Prosecco is undoubtedly the most representative, as it allows you to cross the UNESCO landscape between Vidor and Vittorio Veneto in several stages, following a route that combines panoramas, villages, and vineyards in a single walking journey.
Alongside this more structured route, some trails also deserve attention, perfect for shorter but equally scenic excursions, such as the Sentiero delle Vedette, ideal for those seeking open views and particularly evocative ridge stretches, and the route between Molinetto della Croda and Bivacco Marsini, a very pleasant option for a half-day, capable of combining an iconic location with a walk immersed in nature.
TheAnello del Prosecco Superiore, alternating gentle climbs, passages between the vines, and elements of historical and spiritual interest, offering a balanced and never monotonous experience. For those who prefer simple but well-calibrated itineraries, the Sentiero Gor della Cuna is a perfect solution, with an accessible pace and a landscape that constantly accompanies the walker.
Finally, for those who enjoy wandering off the beaten track, the stretch between Refrontolo and Mondaresca offers a more intimate and authentic atmosphere, featuring less-traveled paths and glimpses of the quieter, more authentic side of this area.
For those who prefer a more contemplative than sporty experience, the hills are an ideal destination: you can walk well, take better photographs, and take home a rare sense of tranquility.
The Dolomites in summer
If the hills offer gentleness, the Dolomites respond with expansiveness, freshness, and spectacular beauty. In summer, they offer a wealth of options: from simple walks near mountain huts to longer, more scenic treks, always with the promise of clean air and memorable views. In particular, some Dolomite areas offer easy or intermediate itineraries, suitable for those who want to experience the mountains without tackling excessive elevation gain.
Among the most enjoyable experiences are hikes to mountain huts and mountain dairies, as they allow you to combine nature, refreshment, and an Alpine atmosphere. The equivalent of the Prosecco Trail is the Dolomites Trail, a 500-kilometer, 30-stage route that passes not only natural beauty but also unique places of spirituality, history, and culture.
Itineraries to choose from
Among the Veneto Dolomites, the unmissable itineraries are those that combine landscape, character, and the ability to accommodate varying levels of experience. The Tour of the Three Peaks of Lavaredo remains one of the great classics, perfect for those who want to admire one of the most famous landscapes in the Dolomites up close with a visually stunning hike.
The Mondeval-Forcella Giau Ring is also fascinating , passing through wide, bright high-altitude environments, ideal for those seeking a day's hike amidst silence, pastures, and open horizons. In the Belluno area, the climb to the Galassi Refuge is also worth a mention, an option that immediately takes you into the heart of the mountains, and the route to Monte Castelberto from Passo Fittanze, perfect for those seeking a scenic but less-traveled hike.
For more experienced hikers, theAlta Via Dolomiti Bellunesi represents the most intense experience: a long seven-day walk between Forno di Zoldo and Feltre, discovering the most authentic and wild side of the Dolomites.
But there's no shortage of opportunities to see Lake Coldai , which offers beautiful views of Mount Pelmo and Lake Alleghe, or the trek to the Nuvolau Refuge, the oldest in the Dolomites, a panoramic excursion between the Tofane and the Cortina area.
Summer retreats in Veneto: from the mountains to the city
Whether you choose the gentle rhythms of the Prosecco hills or the high-energy of the Venetian Dolomites, Veneto is the perfect destination for those who want to combine nature, exercise, and beauty in a single vacation.
Staying in the city is a smart way to experience the best of these regions without sacrificing comfort: in the morning you can set off on a scenic trail, return in the late afternoon after a day spent enjoying the silence of nature and the beautiful landscapes, and indulge in the evening among the local bars, historic centers, and typical addresses.
From strolls through the vineyards to high-altitude hikes, every itinerary becomes an opportunity to discover the authentic, refreshing, and surprising Veneto, to be experienced step by step. If summer invites you to slow down, here's the perfect opportunity to do so in the most beautiful way possible. Book your stay in Veneto now for a summer dedicated to nature and beauty.
