The best gravel rides around Lake Santa Croce

The Torrente Tesa (Alpago, Belluno) flows in the Alpago basin, in the province of Belluno (Veneto). It is the main tributary of Lake Santa Croce, collecting the waters of the entire hydrographic basin of the area. Near its mouth, close to Farra d'Alpago, there is a famous cable-stayed cycle-pedestrian bridge. It is a suspension bridge much frequented by cycle tourism lovers along the routes in the area.

the charm of this forest and the silence

The Via Regia cycle path is a picturesque cycle-pedestrian route that winds north of Lake Santa Croce, connecting the Alpago and the area of Ponte nelle Alpi to Soverzene. The route, mostly flat and suitable for cyclists of all levels, closely follows the path of the impressive hydraulic engineering works that connect the Piave river to the lake basin. Cycling along this route, you will find yourself immersed in a natural setting of great value, characterized by dense riparian forests and wetlands. The route passes through the Sbarai Nature Oasis, offering splendid views of the reed beds and the lake, before heading north between rock faces loved by climbers. It is a fundamental segment for both local tourism and long-distance cycle tourists, forming part of the famous international Munich-Venice route.

The cycle-pedestrian walkway over the Tesa stream is an architectural work of great charm, located near the northern bank of Lake Santa Croce, in Alpago. It is a 110-meter-long cable-stayed bridge, characterized by an elegant structure with metal pylons and a deck made of larch glulam, which integrates perfectly into the surrounding natural landscape. This bridge plays a fundamental strategic role for the area's soft mobility: it connects the two banks of the Tesa stream, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross in complete safety. The walkway is part of the Alpago cycle path and international cycle tourism routes, such as the famous Munich-Venice cycle path, offering those who cross it a spectacular panoramic view of the stream's mouth and the nearby body of water.

Lake Santa Croce, located in the picturesque basin of Alpago in the province of Belluno, is the largest body of water in the province and the second largest in the Veneto region. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Belluno Prealps, this natural lake is famous for its scenic beauty and its particular thermal conditions. The constant wind that blows regularly from early afternoon has made it an internationally renowned destination for lovers of water sports such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, and sailing. For those who prefer dry land or a more relaxed pace, the shores offer equipped beaches, a cycle path that circles the entire basin, and the extraordinary Sbarai Nature Oasis, a site of great value for birdwatching where you can walk admiring a rich avian fauna among majestic white willows.

Lake Santa Croce, the largest in the province of Belluno and the second largest in the Veneto region, is a natural lake formed by a landslide that closed off the Val Lapisina, blocking the Piave River's descent towards Vittorio Veneto and creating the Sella del Fadalto. Located in the Alpago area between Farra d'Alpago, Puos d'Alpago, and Ponte nelle Alpi, on the border with the province of Treviso, it is a body of water that reflects the mountains of the Alpago and the Nevegal in its crystal-clear waters. The villages along the shores still preserve examples of typical stepped-house architecture with roofs made of stone slabs, straw, and marsh reeds.

Cycle pedestrian bridge over the Tesa river.

The beautiful Santa Croce lake in Farra d'Alpago.