Castello Tesino and the roads of the Great War on motorcycle

Galleries carved into the rock, green meadows, and pristine forests. If you feel like taking a refreshing trip and enjoying every kilometer, this itinerary is perfect. It starts from Bassano del Grappa to reach Grigno and then ‘climb the mountain’ to the charming village of Castello Tesino. A beautiful, less traveled road will take us to Arsiè, and from there, we’ll join SP148 to reach the summit of Mount Grappa before descending back to Bassano.

TOTAL DISTANCE: 141 km
HAIRPIN TURNS: ABOUT 70
REGION: VENETO / TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE
DEPARTURE: BASSANO DEL GRAPPA (VI)
ARRIVAL: BASSANO DEL GRAPPA (VI)
TIPS: AVOID WEEKENDS, IF POSSIBLE, WATCH OUT FOR CYCLISTS

For those of us who love slow rides, we had a great time taking this route at a leisurely pace, and we recommend you do the same. The journey begins in Bassano del Grappa, heading north on SS47 towards Valsugana, making your way to Grigno. Here, take a right onto SP75, also known as Strada del Morello. It’s a somewhat narrow road with around ten hairpin turns that climb up the mountainside. The elevation gain is about 750 meters over approximately 10 km. Once you reach the top, you can choose to explore the town of Castello Tesino or stop at one of the many picnic areas in the area (one of the best is at Parco La Cascatella, featuring 15 barbecue stations, tables, benches, restrooms, beach volleyball courts, and a bar). 1000 meters above sea level, it’s a popular spot for families in summer.

From here, you can decide to head to Passo Brocon at 1,616 meters. However, for this itinerary, we want to enjoy a less-traveled road, so we’ll take SP246 towards Arsiè.

It’s a scenic road with many views of the valley. Among the farmhouses, alpine huts, and typical trattorias, you’ll feel immersed in the mountain atmosphere. You’ll pass through the small villages of Perer, Rivai, and Mellame. These are places that evoke the past, with abandoned houses and establishments, waterfalls, and fountains. These are places where wars have left their mark. Forte Leone, for instance (reachable via a dirt road), was part of the Brenta-Cismon barrier and was built right here in Cima Campo by the Italian army between 1906 and 1912.

Once you reach the town of Arsiè, you can make a detour to the nearby Lake Corlo or continue towards Feltre and then take SP148 to climb to the summit of Mount Grappa. In my opinion, this road is much more enjoyable going uphill than downhill and offers stunning views. The road will take you between Col Zaloppa and Monte Pressolan, passing through rocks, woods, meadows, and fresh mountain air. When you reach Cima Grappa (1775 m), you can park and relax with a refreshing (or hot) drink at Rifugio Bassano before heading back to Bassano del Grappa.

This itinerary is very soothing and pleasant. I recommend experiencing it calmly, with the true spirit of a slow ride, while respecting the mountain and its people.