Trail Name: Dieci Capitelli
Trail Type: Mid-distance hiking circuit; mostly paved or hard-packed gravel, maintained, but uneven in spots, and fairly well-marked.
Length: total: circa 10 kilometers/6 miles
Convenient To: Verona or Vicenza, Italy
Marking: Brown sign with trail name in white letters; yellow signs with black lettering indicate location (or way to a location).
Trail Description: Beginning in a small town, winding mostly through Soave Classico vineyards, over hill and dale, this trail is mostly exposed to sun. The orientation on much of the route is religious, so it is popular with local people of all ages making pilgrimages, as well as those in search of a work-out in the countryside. Mid-point is just on the outskirts of Soave. Views to the south, west and east are fabulous, as is the Soave wine, never really far from reach.
Trailhead: Piazza Silvio Venturi, Monteforte D’Alpone, Veneto, Italy
Parking Possibilities:
Monteforte D’Alpone: off Via Silvio Perazzolo (just behind the Piazza Silvio Venturi); or, at the end of Via Zonato, dirt lot near the ninth capital.
Soave: large lot at Via Bassano x Strada Provinciale (SP) 39; or several spots at Via Bassanella opposite the church of Santa Maria della Bassanella (just off the trail)
Public Transportation Options:
Rail: No service to Soave or Monteforte. San Bonifacio (near Soave) is the closest rail station.
Bus: Azienda Trasporti Verona (ATV) serves Soave and Monteforte, and in between, from Verona.
Suggested Stages: Not applicable
Trail Itinerary-Reference Points:
Monteforte: Via Garibaldi-Via della Fontana-Via Palustrelo, signs for Madonna della Bassanella Ponsara; Capitals 1-4, including a St Peter in a boat (Capital 2) and the Foscarino (Capital 3), as well as a sign for Valle dell’Acqua; Soave: Via Giacomo Matteotti, Via Mondello; toward the Del Pigno Zone, Capitals 5 (Vincenzo Ferreri) and 6 (Madonna della Bassanella); Piazza Scheeti; Capitals 7 and 8, Monteforte: Capital 9 (Regina Pacis) Via Zonato, Capital 10 (San Rocheto), Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Representative Trail Photos:
Restrooms:
Soave: Next to the church on Via Bassanella; across the street from the parking lot on SP 39; and behind the church on Via Roma, down a side alley.
Attractions on or near Trail:
Castello di Soave: an impressive complex with equally impressive views. Closes at mid-day for lunch.
Museo del Gioco di Soave: a museum of toys (some exhibits, interactive, more suitable for kids)
Tasting along the Trail:
Soave: Wine bars and Cantine on Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Emanuele; Cantina di Soave on Via Covergnino
Alternative Options:
Running: This entire course is suitable for running.
Biking: Could be done by mountain-biking.
Car: The touring routes of Strada del Vino Soave, and Strada del Recioto e dei Vini Gambellara, cover this area and more.
Additional Information:
Regional: http://www.stradadelvinosoave.com/la-strada-del-soave
Trail (segment) specific: http://www.prolocomonteforte.org/dieci_capitelli.html
Comments:
Caution: Once you leave Soave or Monteforte, and are in the hills, you are committed to this route on foot, with no shelter, facilities or public transportation for about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
The way to the first capital was the only segment not clearly marked. To reach the first capital from Piazza Silvio Venturi, follow the way points in Itinerary above. To reach it coming from Soave turn left on Via della Fontana at the tenth capital, and follow out Via Palustrelo. Either way, you will see the circuit markings again pointing right off Via Palustrelo.