Andrea Palladio opens the route from the heart of Vicenza, where, through the contrà, the streets of the historic centre embellished with elegant buildings, the journey begins towards the Berian countryside, discovering a well-preserved landscape rich in surprising historical and artistic evidence. Leaving the centre, take the cycle path that begins near the Arco delle Scalette, along the route of the former Vicenza-Montagnana railway.
After a short stretch, at the point where the track skims the Bacchiglione river, Villa Capra Valmarana (aka "L Rotonda"), one of Palladio's masterpieces, appears at the top of a hill. We recommend a detour to visit the nearby Villa Valmarana ai Nani which preserves the masterpieces of Tiepolo, and Valletta del Silenzio on the slopes of Mount Berico.
Once back on the bike path, you will cycle to the hamlet of Longare, where a bike path forks off that leads to Lake Fimon, set on the slopes of the hills. The main route crosses the countryside that opens up between the Berici Hills and Euganean Hills. In Longare, the road runs alongside the Bisatto Canal, a waterway built in the Middle Ages and used by commercial boats until the last century. Along the banks of this ancient canal, the houses are arranged in rows, forming the villages of the Riviera Berica. Easy cycling routes also allow you to visit the picturesque centres built at the foot of the hills.
The feature that most characterises the landscape crossed by this cycle path is the Venetian villa, with its harmony between architecture, gardens and agriculture. Notable examples are offered by the village of Costozza, Villa Camerini Pigafetta in Montruglio, Villa Barbarigo, which is home to the municipality of Noventa Vicentina, and the Palladian Villa Saraceno and Villa Pojana which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The latter, located in the village of Pojana Maggiore, is the last stop of the route.
The path is linear and easy. The convergence of some cycle paths makes it possible to connect the cycle path with other routes such as the Euganei Hills Cycle Ring, the Bacchiglione Vicenza – Padua river cycle path, the cycle path of the walled cities towards Montagnana and the Treviso Ostiglia cycle path.
Signage with code E7.