The best road cycling routes around Cison Di Valmarino

Lago Morto is a striking body of water located in Val Lapisina, in the municipality of Vittorio Veneto, right at the foot of the Treviso side of the Sella di Fadalto pass. Its peculiar name derives from a unique geographical characteristic: it is a lake devoid of visible surface outlets and inlets, as it is fed and emptied exclusively through underground karst pathways. The basin, surrounded by steep wooded slopes and imposing rocky walls, is characterized by deep and cool waters. Today, the lake plays a fundamental role in hydroelectric power production, being connected to the valley's power plant system that utilizes the waters coming from the overlying Lago di Santa Croce. Despite the industrial footprint, the area is a popular destination for relaxing walks, picnics, and sport fishing.

Located at the foot of the Treviso Prealps, the Abbey of Santa Maria di Follina is one of the greatest masterpieces of late Romanesque and Cistercian Gothic style in Italy. Originally founded by Benedictine monks and brought to its greatest splendor by the Cistercians in the 13th century, the abbey amazes with the harmony of its proportions and the spirituality it emanates. The true jewel of the complex is the cloister, completed in 1268: an architectural masterpiece where paired, single, or spiral-decorated columns support elegant arches, creating a unique play of light and shadow. Inside the church, the majestic altarpiece and the statue of the Madonna of the Sacred Chalice make the site a vibrant pilgrimage destination even today. A place where the art, silence, and history of the wool-making monks are inextricably intertwined.

In the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG hills, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene represents the purest essence of heroic viticulture. This village is surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of very steep vineyards, where human labour has blended for centuries with a landscape shaped by the characteristic "ciglioni", the grassy terraces that follow the curves of the land. The hamlet is famous for being an integral part of the prestigious Cartizze area, a small patch of land of only 107 hectares where the sun exposure and soil composition gift the most prized bubbles of the denomination. Strolling among historic cellars and belvedere points, you breathe in an authentic hospitality linked to the wine culture. Among the most curious and beloved places stands out the Osteria senz’Oste, a rustic farmhouse where visitors can refresh themselves in complete autonomy, celebrating an indissoluble bond between territory, trust, and peasant conviviality.

Great route, great views

Located in the heart of the village, a short walk from the renowned Cistercian Abbey, the Fontana di Follina is an iconic resting point and a tribute to the territory's most precious resource: water. This stone structure, with its classic and clean lines, collects the fresh waters that spring from local sources, the same waters that for centuries powered the area's famous wool mills, fostering the town's economic prosperity. Characterized by a generous basin and a constant flow, the fountain is not just a functional element but a symbol of historical continuity. Sitting near its murmur offers a moment of absolute tranquility, framed by the architectural beauty of one of Italy's most beautiful villages, where stone and water tell stories of craftsmanship and industriousness.

The San Boldo Pass, which connects Valbelluna to Valmareno between the municipalities of Cison di Valmarino and Borgo Valbelluna, is one of the most spectacular passes in the Venetian Prealps. Known as the "Road of 100 Days", it was built in record time in 1918 by Austro-Hungarian military engineers for logistical purposes during the Great War. Its architectural uniqueness lies in the five hairpin bends carved entirely into the rock and regulated by traffic lights, which overcome a very steep difference in altitude in a small space.

Rolle, a hamlet of Cison di Valmarino near Refrontolo, is the first village in Italy to have received FAI protection as an "FAI Viewpoint". Described by the poet Andrea Zanzotto as "a bundle of houses in the green", the village is nestled among hills embroidered with Prosecco Superiore vineyards. With its panoramic church and timeless atmosphere, it represents the most authentic soul of the UNESCO Prosecco Hills, offering breathtaking views that seem hand-painted.

The fountain located on the roundabout at the entrance to the village of Follina https://youtu.be/arxvfsvHF8s?si=rUfhu3pwMZi7CIt8