Tours » Thematic Routes

The Way of the Hospices

On the Footsteps of the Ancient Wayfarers in Val Cordevole

Location: Val Cordevole, in the heart of the Park.

Access: SS 203 road (Agordina) up to Mas, then follow the indications to Val del Mis and Certosa di Vedana.

Altitude: min. 395 m, max 775 m.

Length of the route: 17 kilometers.

Walking time: 7-8 hours, but you can also divide the itinerary into three laps: Vedana-Candaten; Candaten-Agre, and Agre-Miniere.

Difficulty: intermediate.

Period: from March to November.

Bibliography: "La Via degli Ospizi - sulle antiche tracce di viandanti in Val Cordevole", by T. De Nardin, G. Poloniato, G. Tomasi. Series: Itinerari nel Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi n. 6.

The itinerary follows the ancient route connecting Valle del Piave Valley with the Agordino area, along which you will meet some hospices of medieval origin. The signs of history, so frequent along the itinerary, invite you to put yourself in the wayfarer's place, in order to discover places of great charm and interest, like Certosa in Vedana, the little village of San Gottardo, the hospices of Candàten and Agre, the Mines of Valle Imperina. The importance of this ancient route was especially due to the need of ensuring the passage of metals extracted from the Agordino mineral deposits, but, of course, also to transhumance.