Val Venegia is the kind of valley that pleases everyone: a bright, gentle glacial trough inside the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park, between the Cimon della Pala and the Mulaz. This is where the Travignolo torrent is born, coming down off the Pale glacier and cutting through flowering meadows and pastures, with the pale mountain walls rising behind. That contrast, the soft grass on the valley floor and the pale rock soaring above, is the whole charm of the place, and it turns to magic at sunset when the sun fires the Pale with the enrosadira. One curiosity: the name Venegia comes from Venezia, because long ago the logs felled in the surrounding forests were floated down to the shipyards of the Serenissima.
You follow the valley on an easy trail that works for families and for anyone who wants a relaxed walk through open country. Along the way you pass the highland farms, well worth a stop for mountain cheeses and a taste of alpine pastoral life. If you've got the legs and the inclination, Val Venegia is also the way up to the Pale plateau and to Baita Segantini. It's a place that changes with the seasons, wildflower meadows in summer, warm colours in autumn, but it always stays one of the calmest corners of the Dolomites.
Frequently asked questions
Is Val Venegia suitable for families?
Yes, it's one of the most recommended outings. The main trail through the valley is easy and gentle, with highland farms along the way for a stop. Perfect for a walk with kids.
Where do you start to visit Val Venegia?
The usual ways in are from the Passo Rolle area and from Bellamonte, but you can also come from Passo Valles on the Veneto side. From there a trail leads through the valley to the headwaters of the Travignolo and the highland farms.