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Hidden mountain hikes in Vicenza
Hike through a cold gorge to an abandoned marble quarry in Vicenza
A short but steep trail through beech forest, a cold ravine and an abandoned quarry in the Vicenza Prealps.
Only 2.6 kilometres long, CAI 212 climbs 425 metres from the scattered mountain hamlets of Campodalbero towards the eastern slopes of the Lobbie. The route drops to the upper Chiampo stream, crosses the Vaio Fontana Fredda, then climbs steeply through beech woods past an abandoned marble quarry before joining the higher mountain paths around Malga Prat. It is the kind of compact, rough edged hike that appeals to walkers who prefer hidden trails and forgotten working landscapes to polished viewpoints.
Gianfranco Graizzaro · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Know before you go
CAI 212 is short but steep. Check trail conditions, weather and any local notices before departure, especially after rain, frost or snowfall. Weather Avoid thunderstorms, ice, heavy rain and poor visibility. Navigation Carry an offline map or GPX in addition to following CAI signage.
→ A short trail that climbs hard
CAI 212 is only 2.6 kilometres long, but the official route profile records around 425 metres of ascent. It begins near Contrà Lovati in Campodalbero, descends briefly towards the upper Chiampo stream, then turns uphill into the wooded eastern slopes of the Lobbie. The appeal is concentration: stream, ravine, steep forest, abandoned quarry and mountain junction packed into a short distance.
→ Cross the Vaio Fontana Fredda
The route crosses Vaio Fontana Fredda, literally the Cold Spring Gorge, before the main climb. In wet weather the combination of shade, leaves, rock and water can make the path more slippery, so dry conditions are preferable. The wider upper Chiampo valley is threaded with streams, fountains and old contrade, the scattered mountain hamlets characteristic of Campodalbero. The municipality still presents water, woods and these isolated settlements as defining features of the area
→ An abandoned marble quarry in the forest
Higher up, the path passes an ex marble quarry before reaching the junction towards Malga Prat. Today the quarry sits inside a landscape that has largely returned to woodland, giving the hike the atmosphere of an abandoned industrial site swallowed back into the mountains. For photographers and people drawn to industrial archaeology, forgotten infrastructure and abandoned places, this is the section that gives CAI 212 its character beyond the physical climb.
→ Link into the higher trails
CAI 212 is also a useful connector. Above the quarry it reaches the junction with routes 206 and 209, opening the way towards Malga Prat, Malga Menderla and the higher Lobbie ridge system. That makes it possible to treat the 2.6 kilometre trail as a compact outing or as the beginning of a longer mountain day, provided you plan the continuation and return in advance.
→ Campodalbero is worth the detour itself
Campodalbero is not one compact village but a scattering of contrade across the slopes above Crespadoro. In winter, another local route becomes the Sentiero dei Presepi, a roughly 10 kilometre circuit where handmade nativity scenes appear beside fountains, streams and woodland tracks. The same community also organises seasonal walking events during the year So CAI 212 sits inside a much wider mountain landscape of old hamlets, forest paths and rural traces rather than functioning as an isolated hiking attraction.
→ Questions for planning the hike
Where can I find a short but steep hidden hike in northern Italy?
CAI 212 at Campodalbero, in the province of Vicenza, combines a short 2.6 kilometre distance with around 425 metres of ascent, plus a gorge, forest and abandoned quarry.
Can I extend the hike?
Yes. The upper junction connects with CAI 206 and 209 towards Malga Prat and other routes in the Lobbie and upper Chiampo area. Plan the full distance, return route and daylight before continuing.
Is this suitable after heavy rain or in winter?
The shaded forest, leaves, stream crossings and steep ground can become slippery. CAI Arzignano specifically advises care on wooded trails when ice is hidden beneath leaf cover. Check current conditions before setting out.