The best walks and hikes around Natural Park regionale del Fiume Sile

The hiking trail and the cemetery of the transport boats is unique.

Along the Restera, the picturesque cycle-pedestrian path that runs along the Sile river between Silea and Casier, lies one of the most fascinating industrial archaeological sites in the Veneto region: the Cimitero dei Burci (Ship Graveyard). In this stretch of water lie the wrecks of nineteen large historic wooden transport vessels, precisely called "burci". Used for centuries to transport goods from Treviso to Venice, these ships were deliberately sunk by their boatmen between 1974 and 1975 as a form of protest against the advent of road transport, which was marking the end of their era. Today, a system of wooden walkways suspended over the water allows you to walk right over the wrecks, which have been partially submerged and colonized by river flora and fauna, creating a unique and poetic blend of history and nature.

In Piazza Pio X in Casier, water and time merge in a unique sculptural work: the fountain with the hydromechanical clock, designed by master watchmaker Alberto Gorla. This fascinating installation combines the ancient tradition of mechanics with the fluidity of the natural element, celebrating the deep bond between the municipality of Treviso and the Sile river. The clock's operation is entirely regulated by the motive force of the water flowing from the spring. The flow precisely drives wheels, gears, and rockers, moving the hands on the dial and marking time in an ecological and evocative way. Having become one of Casier's modern symbols, the fountain is not just an element of urban decor, but an attraction that enchants passers-by and visitors with its hypnotic and relaxing combination of human ingenuity and nature.

The Cimitero dei burci is located at the confluence between the new cut of the Sile and the branch of the Sil morto, in a sheltered bend of the Sile river. Its area is about 15,000 square meters.

Located close to the walls of Treviso, the 17th-century Mulini Mandelli complex represents one of the most fascinating examples of Venetian industrial archaeology. Built at the confluence of the Sile and Storga rivers, for centuries it dictated the rhythm of the city's economic life thanks to the power of water. Today, the area is the protagonist of a profound urban regeneration signed by the Matteo Thun studio, which aims to transform the ancient structures into an eco-sustainable residential village by 2027. The project blends historical preservation and modernity, planning public green spaces and cycle-pedestrian paths that will return this iconic place to the community, celebrating the indissoluble link between water and the city's architecture.

The Church of San Niccolò in Lughignano is a jewel of Romanesque architecture located along the bends of the Sile river. Originally dating back to the 12th century, the building features a sober and elegant gabled facade, enhanced by hanging arches that accentuate its terracotta profile. Inside, the atmosphere invites contemplation thanks to a single nave plan that culminates in three semicircular apses. The real treasure is preserved along the walls and in the apse basin, where fragments of medieval and Renaissance frescoes of considerable value emerge. Among these, a rare depiction of Saint Christopher and pictorial cycles narrating local devotion stand out, perfectly harmonizing the spirituality of the place with the tranquility of the surrounding river landscape.

The stone bridge of Villapendola represents the natural completion of the ring path that crosses the islet of the same name. This masonry structure retains a rustic and historical charm, integrating perfectly with the surrounding river landscape. Located at the eastern end of the island, the bridge spans the secondary canal, allowing visitors to rejoin the Alzaia path and the main flow of the Restera. It is a privileged observation point for admiring the riparian flora and wildlife, such as turtles and aquatic birds, that inhabit the calm waters of the dead branch of the Sile. This passage transforms a simple walk into an immersive experience, suspended between the tranquility of the island and the liveliness of the most beloved cycle-pedestrian path by the people of Treviso. Hand-cranked.

Full speed ahead!