Leave your car at Piazzale degli Alpini (Alpini square), near the church of Rovolon. Dedicated to Saint George, the church is documented in 1077, but the origins could go back to the VII-VIII century.
Take the paved road uphill in front of the church towards Ristorante “Ai Castelli”, following the sign R2. Just behind the restaurant take the path on the left, passing next to a fenced property where you can see some majestic old chestnut trees called “castagnare de Fassio” (Fassio’s chestnut trees).
Following the almost flat path you can see some other old horsechestnut trees, called “marronari de Grigoeo” (Grigoeo’shorsechestnut trees).
After about 200 meters there is a crossroad: keep to the right and continue walking on the flat path. On the left, there is a house with a very nice panorama. (1)
At a certain point the path climbs for a shortstretch and at the end of the climb it returns flat.
Here the rocks come alive: observing them you can discover some sculptures made directly on the boulders by Alfredo Barbiero,a well-known local artist; there are several faces alongthe 200-meter path.
After about 100 meters the path leads you to the fourth bend of the “Strada de Bepi del Monte”. (2) After four bends take a right towards the “fire-lane”, constructed some years ago in order to respond promptly to fires.
Continue on the flat path to Baita di Passo Fiorine (Fiorine Pass lodge).(3)
After about 1500 meters from the fire-lane and about 100 meters before Baita Passo Fiorine, take a right on the path that goes down to Rovolon.
After about 300 meters, on the left, there is a path called R6A.
Follow it for about 100 meters. You will then get to a small opening where, with a few steps into the woods, you can see a large stone called “Pria del Calcagno” (heel stone): a local legend asserts that the Madonna sat there, leaving a footprint of her heel. Continuing along R6A for about 200 meters you can climb to a panoramic point called "La crose” (The cross), that is like a terrace above the village of Rovolon. (4) From there, retrace your steps back to the San Giorgio path (R2), going downhill from the panoramic view, and turn immediately to the left.
An alternative is to remain on the main path R2, after leaving the “Pria del Calcagno”, and proceed downhill. 200 meters after the first crossroad, you can find another one: turn left and reach the panoramic point of “La Crose”.
Returning to the San Giorgio path (R2), continue to descend, then immediately on the right you can climb a little hill where the ruins of an old castle appears, which is of a great historical-archaeological interest. Return to the main path and after a few steps, you will find an old water tank called “El Fontaneo” that once served as the village’s water reserve.
No long after that, we arrive at the restaurant "Ai Castelli" from which we then descend towards the church, returning to the starting point.
NOTES:
(1)In the background, behind this house, you can see Frassanelle Park with Frassanelle Golf-Club and, further on, the villages of Cervarese, Montegalda and Montegaldella; further away the Venetian Pre-alps.
(2)This is a road that, starting from the main street Rovolon - Teolo, leads to the top of Monte Grande and then to Passo Fiorine.This road, built around 1962-63 by a construction company to subdivide Monte Grande (a project not completed), has become a path for walking and mountain biking.
(3)From this path, in winter, when the trees are bare, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Venetian plain to the north and east of the Euganean Hills
(4)From here you can admire a spectacular panorama: from the left the Berici Hills with Albettone and the Convent of San Pancrazio, then Bastia surrounded by the Monte Viale, Monte Sereo, Frassanelle and Spinazzola; behind the Prealps and the peaks of the Alps, then the Castle of Montegalda and the city of Padua.
Trail time: about 2 hours and 20 minutes
Difficulty ++
