The best running trails around Caldogno

Great ride for a bit of training

The set of springs that make up the Bacchiglione stream are enclosed in a splendid naturalistic area. It is possible to access it from different points and in different ways, but in any case cycling here is wonderful. There is a refreshment point: to check its opening I recommend you visit the official website of the place, https://www.risorgivedelbacchiglione.it.

Relaxing dirt roads run alongside the Timonchio River and circumnavigate the Caldogno detention basin, walking above its banks, through beautiful countryside with a view of the Piccole Dolomite and the Asiago Plateau: an ideal excursion on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Detention basins are large areas—in this case, low-lying fields—designed to temporarily store excess river water to prevent flooding downstream. When the water exceeds the warning level, intake gates are opened to release part of the flow into these enormous basins; it's essentially a controlled flood. Once the danger has passed and the level has returned to normal, the water is gradually released back into the river through the opening of outlet gates. The Caldogno reservoir, in particular, consisting of two basins ('casse') dug out of open countryside, regulates the flow of the Timonchio River before it flows a little further downstream into the Bacchiglione, safeguarding the Vicenza metropolitan area. It was built as part of a broader hydraulic safety project by the Veneto Region after the exceptional floods of 2010. https://misaitalia.it/prodotti/10/49

The resurgences are spontaneous outcrops of water, typical of the Po Valley: in this particular case, in the mountains the water of rain or snow origin is not retained by the karst soil of the Asiago Plateau and the Little Dolomites; instead of remaining on the surface and descending through the valleys, it infiltrates the rocks, forming cracks, tunnels and caves; after this slow journey underground, which can last 10 years, in the low plain it encounters waterproof clay layers which force it to re-emerge. It comes out very pure, very clear, full of mineral salts and at a constant temperature of 10-13°. This is how the Bacchiglione river originates, in the middle of the countryside as if by magic, and then flows through Vicenza, Padua and finally flows into the Adriatic. The Bacchiglione Resurgences are a nature reserve which, thanks to the aforementioned peculiarities of the water, create an ideal habitat to host animal and plant species not common in the surrounding areas. They are a resting place for migratory birds and there is in fact a hut for birdwatching. This oasis of peace is open on weekends and divided into three areas: the first accessible for free; the second only with a guided tour (for a fee, booking on the site a few days in advance); the last area is a complete reserve and can only be used for scientific purposes. https://www.risorgivedelbacchiglione.it

The flood lamination basin of the Timonchio, in Caldogno, in the Vicenza area, is the first of a series of interventions necessary for the hydraulic safety of the territory from the floods of the Timonchio - Bacchiglione. The reservoir makes it possible to laminate the peak flow rates of the Timonchio stream in Caldogno, cutting the flood wave by filling a volume of 3.8 million cubic meters of water, so that a flow rate compatible with the capacity of the course arrives downstream. water so as to avoid the overflows and floods that have occurred in recent years, especially in Caldogno and Vicenza.

Well-trodden dirt bike paths, benches, pond and shade are a great mix on hot days ...

Many fun dirt roads branch off around the Villaverla reservoir. Take a tour if you're in the area!