Pove del Grappa between the Brenta and Grappa: hiking, culture and stone-cutting tradition

Pove del Grappa combines the landscape of Mount Grappa with the Brenta River and a town center where churches, festivals and the history of stone-cutting are closely connected with the town. For planning your trip, it is worth choosing between mountain trails, cycling along the water, sacred art and Pove del Grappa’s special events.

Hiking between the town center and the mountain slope

The Sentiero della Bastia begins in the historic center of Pove del Grappa. The hiking trail is 1,430 meters long, covers an elevation gain of 242 meters and takes approximately 40 minutes to walk. The Sentiero del Cornon leads to the Sacello del Cornon, where there is an open bivouac shelter with a fireplace, tables and benches. The Sentiero Panoramica runs along the mountain slope as a relatively easy hiking trail and offers views across the plain of Vicenza from open sections.

Cycling along the Brenta River

Another way to experience the surrounding area is the Sentiero del Brenta. The flat, well-maintained cycle path runs along the Brenta River and connects the areas of the Bassanese and Valsugana.

Churches and art in the town

The Chiesetta di San Bartolomeo has existed since at least the 10th century. It is the only church in the area of Pove del Grappa that has preserved its original architecture. The parish church of San Vigilio contains an altarpiece by Jacopo da Ponte from 1537 and a Flemish wooden crucifix from the 15th century. Three 17th-century altars with 18th-century altarpieces have been preserved in the Church of San Pietro.

Olive market and religious festival tradition

The Fiera Mercato dell’Olivo has been held every year since 1982 on Palm Sunday in the town center. It is dedicated to olive growing and nursery plants; stalls are set up in the square in front of the town hall and in the adjoining streets. The Feste Quinquennali in onore del Divin Crocifisso take place every five years on the first two Sundays in September. During the solemn processions through the town’s streets, around 600 residents of Pove take part in costume and portray biblical figures as well as the Passion of Christ.

Stone-cutting as a local heritage

The Museo degli Scalpellini is dedicated to Antonio Bosa and documents the town’s traditional stone-cutting craft. For more than four centuries, this tradition has included the extraction, processing and trade of stone materials quarried on the slopes of Mount Grappa above the town. Most of Pove’s population devoted themselves to these activities. The Museo dello Scalpellino can only be visited by prior reservation at 0424-808793 or by email at ragioneria@comune.pove.vi.it.

The area of Pove del Grappa extends from the banks of the Brenta River at 100 meters above sea level to Monte Asolone at 1,529 meters in the Massiccio del Grappa.

For further trip planning: Montegalda, Piovene Rocchette, Sossano, Monticello Conte Otto, Villaverla, Sarego, Gambellara, San Benedetto

For the broader travel overview: Vicenza.