CMP SHORT 18 KM

Bassano del Grappa running between waterfalls and vineyards!

The biggest change is the stretch that passes through the valley formed by the river Silan, the layout of which creates waterfalls and pools, cutting through the south-easternmost reaches of the Sette Comuni district! This is an opportunity to discover ancient mule tracks just a stone’s throw from the centre of Bassano del Grappa.

The trail is slightly longer than in previous editions, at a distance of 18.2 km and an elevation gain of 653 m.

After the start of the race and the distinctive stretch through the vineyards of Villa Angarano Bianchi Michiel, the route turns to flank the western side of the river Brenta, where competitors run for 4 level kilometres: just right to warm the legs up.
At Campese, the trail takes a left, parting ways with the Brenta until they meet again in the final kilometres. Pay attention when crossing the provincial road Strada Provinciale. Once this has been crossed, the climb begins towards Contrà Sasso Rosso, where after 100 metres you will find the turn-off dividing the Short and Long trails. Take the CAI 762 trail (to the left), where the wide pathway narrows into a single track, which will bring runners to the Tagliafuoco. At this point, you will have climbed 220 m over the course of about 1 km! The trail widens out, following the old Tobacco Ridgeway called the Alta Via del Tabacco, until Caluga.

From the little cluster of houses, take a right in the direction of Valrovina along the “Castagnile” track. Once you have arrived in front of the Chiesa di Valrovina church, turn away from the town centre, going around the back of the cemetery which will bring you into the valley formed by the river Silan, one of the most awe-inspiring locations along this new route. The name comes from the Cimbrian word “Silaha”, which, when given the suffix “an”, means “the place where water runs”.
Descend Via Armentaria, the ancient cobbled street used for the movement of livestock, flanked by paved drainage channels to ensure that rainfall and spring water do not compromise the stability of the track. The trail crosses an arched brick bridge spanning a gorge which was already known to geologists in the 18th century, flanked by two great vertical rock walls embedded with the fossil fragments of marine creatures.

Once you reach a spring trickling along rock with an elegant covering of ferns, the trail turns right towards the Cascate Del Silan waterfalls. You will be captivated by the cascading river, the sound of the torrent, and the surrounding gorge alive with ferns and moss. Descend towards the falls, passing underneath them by leaping from one rock to another across the river. Immersed in lush greenery, crossing these limestone boulders will leave you refreshed, and, if rain has fallen recently, the thundering and churning of the Silan falls will be awe-inspiring!
From here, after another simple fording using stepping stones, runners head towards Contrà Soarda, where the winery of the same name is currently to be found. Its farmlands are home to more than 60 thousand grapevines and 1,000 olive trees. The hill affords competitors a sense of reinvigoration, with its 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside.