The Sorgenti del Piave (Source of the Piave) lie in the Val Sesis above Sappada, at around 1,830 metres, at the foot of Monte Peralba, which tops out at 2,693 metres. This is where, at the northernmost point of the Veneto, the river Italians call sacred to the Fatherland starts its long run to the Adriatic. The site is marked by a monument built in the 1960s that gathers the water from the bog above, and it carries real weight because of the First World War. The water comes up clear among the rocks, in an open, silent alpine bowl, next to a small hut.
You enter the Val Sesis from Cima Sappada. The roughly eight kilometres of paved road up to the source can be driven in summer, or walked or cycled along the many trails. Once there, the last stretch to the monument is short and easy for anyone, while from the same valley floor tougher routes head off toward Monte Peralba, the Avanza and the Chiadenis, terrain for experienced hikers only. This is border country with Austria, a genuine and uncrowded corner of the mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hike to the Sorgenti del Piave strenuous?
No. In summer you can drive up the Val Sesis on the paved road, and the short final walk to the source is easy for anyone. Monte Peralba nearby, though, needs experience and the right gear.
Why are the Sorgenti del Piave historically important?
This is where the Piave rises, the river called sacred to the Fatherland for the part it played in the First World War. So the place carries deep historical meaning, on top of its natural beauty.