Sentiero San Bartolomeo “Dei Longobardi”

A short but interesting hike in the foothills, between Venetian villas and traces of ancient warriors.

The starting point is located at the recreational area of the village, just beyond the center of Maras coming from Sospirolo. Along the way, after passing the kindergarten (blue building with a playground) and the former dairy of Maras, you reach the south entrance of Villa Sandi-Zasso, a splendid XVIII century building. You return back to the former dairy (about 200 m) and take the path that runs alongside it to the left, uphill.

Arriving at a fork with a small column, continue on the road to the left, crossing the interesting wetland area “la Fossa” to reach the chapel of San Biagio in Moldoi after about 500 m, near Villa Sandi-Zasso, with a beautiful view of the valley, the Pizzocco, and the characteristic horn of Pizzocchetto.

The surrounding area is frequented by mouflons, deer, and roe deer, often visible in the morning. From the chapel, you return back for about 100 m and take the dirt road to the left that ascends to the plain of Staolaz. Leaving a characteristic rural building on the left, you continue into the woods. Upon reaching the Levinoz fountain (also known as the Pilotti, the ancient village above), take the small downward path to the right, surrounded by dry stone walls.

Once you reach the paved road, head left for just over 100 m and after a house, pick up a path to the right, slightly ascending. Always keeping to the right, you reach the road that leads up to “la Mandra”. Descend along the dirt road and after a renovated rural building, take a right on a gentle slope through a meadow until you reach some newly built houses. Following the service road to the houses, you arrive at the main road. Keep to the left and at the next junction, turn left again, until you reach the small square of the village of Maras, where the chapel of San Bartolomeo, the patron of the small village, overlooks.

The village is worth a visit, as there are some houses with the characteristic “piol”, a small column dedicated to the Madonna with the nearby fountain, and in the park of Villa Zanchi, a centuries-old beech tree, along with a Roman marker for land division. Continuing along the provincial foothill road, you arrive back at the starting point.