A new hiking trail has opened in Italy’s Dolomites, winding through the unspoiled, nature-rich landscapes of the mountain range.
Called the Cammino Retico, the trail is named after the ancient Raeti people who once inhabited the region before Roman times. It links several remote villages across the Veneto and Trentino regions in a circular route spanning 170 kilometers, typically completed in seven days.
Launched by the social association Carpe Diem, the trail begins and ends in Aune di Sovramonte, near Belluno, and passes through 10 municipalities in the Tesino and Feltrino areas. The project aims to promote slow, sustainable tourism and revitalize lesser-known parts of Italy threatened by depopulation.
Along the way, hikers stay in small mountain communities, including the fortified town of Feltre and the lakeside village of Arsiè. Over 50 accommodation options are already available. The trail incorporates existing marked routes such as the ancient Via Claudia Augusta and paths from the Italian Alpine Club (CAI).
Elevation varies from 400 to 1,450 meters, taking walkers through limestone peaks, green valleys, and lakefronts. Highlights include the frescoed 12th-century Sanctuary of Saints Vittore and Corona, the 17th-century Villa delle Centenere, Pedavena Brewery, and Cesiomaggiore’s bicycle museum.
“It’s a way to experience the traditions and culture of untouched rural Italy,” says Francesco De Bortoli of Carpe Diem. “And walking is the best way to do that.”