The best running trails around Alpago

The Cansiglio Forest hides a myriad of sinkholes, pits, and swallow holes of all sizes, due to the karst morphology of the territory: the rain dissolves the limestone rock, slowly but inexorably forming these natural chasms and fissures on the ground. The Bus de la Lum is an abyss characterized by a single large vertical entrance shaft 180m high, which then develops into a very large and articulated underground complex. The depth of the shaft is best appreciated out of season, because in summer the lush vegetation tends to partially obscure the view. According to ancient beliefs, it is the dwelling of the Anguane or Anduane, fierce and evil witches, toothless, with long rusty nails instead of hair and sharp fangs, who kidnapped and ate children! They gathered at the bottom of the cave, lighting fires, whose glows rose to the surface, visible at night to the shepherds of the area: hence the name 'Buco della Luce' (Hole of Light). In reality, the legend has a grain of truth: on hot summer nights, will-o'-the-wisps could indeed be formed by the decomposing carcasses of livestock dead from illness, which it was customary to throw into the Buso. During World War II, the cavity was sadly used by partisans as a foiba, to dispose of the bodies of fascists and nazis, but also of civilians: over the years, several bodies and bones have been found during explorations. https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_de_la_Lum

Together with Pian Cansiglio and Cornesega, Valmenera is one of the three depressions that make up the central part of the Cansiglio Plateau. The largest in terms of area. This evocative basin is particularly known for its cold microclimate, where record thermal inversions are recorded with temperatures that, in the winter months, can drop to extreme levels. A historical peak was reached in March 2005, when ARPA Veneto analyses recorded a temperature of -35.4°C. Located in the municipal territory of Tambre (BL), it has a wide and flat bottom, called Piano di Valmenera. It represents a typical polje, whose slopes are largely covered by arboreal vegetation; the western slopes, on the other hand, are characterized by meadows, with rather degraded herbaceous vegetation, due to exploitation in the form of mowing and grazing. The dairy farm of the same name, which today operates as a farm stay, is in fact surrounded by 74 hectares of meadows used for grazing its own livestock. Up to here, through the Campon valley, came a tongue of the ancient and vast Piave Glacier. The Piano di Valmenera and part of the basin are part of the "Pian di Landro-Baldassarre" Oriented Nature Reserve.

Lake Santa Croce is the largest natural basin in the province of Belluno and the second largest in the Veneto region, located in the suggestive Alpago basin. This body of water, framed by the Belluno Prealps, is famous for being a true wind paradise. The constant currents that sweep across it, particularly the afternoon thermal wind, make it an international destination for lovers of sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Along its shores, equipped beaches for relaxation and a network of trails ideal for trekking and cycling have developed, such as the cycle path that runs along part of it. In the northern area lies the Sbarai nature oasis, a wetland of great ecological value, fundamental for birdwatching and the nesting of many bird species, which enriches the naturalistic charm of this dynamic tourist hub.

Beautiful lake for water sports.

Lake Santa Croce, where images come to life.

all those boats placed like this are extremely suggestive and cannot help but attract your attention as you pass by

In Valmenera the enormous damage caused by Storm Vaia is still very evident. My photos want to tell what happened between 27 and 30 October 2018 in this splendid valley and the hard work, still in progress, of the forestry and lumberjacks, who have freed the valley from the broken and uprooted trunks by the fury of the wind. In the images you can see the enormous open wounds in the empty plain, without the hundreds of centuries-old pine trees. https://www.geopop.it/la-devastante-tempesta-vaia-del-2018-i-danni-dellestremo-evento-meteorologico/

The name probably derives from "lume" or flame, due to the luminescence that would have been seen on summer nights above the cavity, produced by the gases generated by the putrefaction of animal carcasses thrown into the well. The cavity was formed by karst, or by the dissolution of the rock by water. According to legend, it is inhabited by the Anguane, very ugly fairies, with nails instead of hair, and long fangs instead of teeth. During the day they went to wash clothes at Lake Santa Croce, then wandered around in search of wood, food and children to roast. At night, they lit a small fire, whose light, spotted by shepherds, gives the cavity its name