Itinerary 2: History and Nature between Tonezza del Cimone and Posina

Itinerary 2: History and Nature between Tonezza del Cimone and PosinaAccording to legend, whoever pulls the sword Excalibur from the stone shall become king of Camelot.Why not give it a try yourself on this one-day mountain itinerary through history and nature, between Tonezza del Cimone and Posina, here in a new episode of On the Road – Journeys of Discovery in the Pedemontana Vicentina.Tonezza del Cimone is a small village with just over 500 inhabitants, perched above the Astico Valley.It’s the starting point for numerous hiking trails, originally created as mule tracks and military paths during World War I. This area once marked the front line between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies. Trails include Excalibur, Fogazzariano, Fontanelle, Cherry Valley, The Great War Trail, and Monte Cimone, among others.What makes these routes truly special are the dry-stone walls and stone forts where soldiers once sheltered from enemy fire.From a landscape perspective, they offer breathtaking walks beneath the gaze of the Spitz, Cimone, and Pasubio mountains, where steep slopes alternate with conifer woods and mountain lakes.Excalibur is one of these trails, a circular route dotted with interpretive panels telling its story. Adults appreciate its historical and scenic appeal; children love it for a special surprise that we’re about to reveal.Right at the heart of the trail stands… a real sword in a stone! Visitors of all ages have fun trying to pull it out while snapping unforgettable photos.Who knows? Maybe the future king of Camelot is listening right now!We complete the loop and head back to the car because now it’s time for the tastiest part of our one-day itinerary through history and nature: lunch recommendations!We make our way toward Laghi—which we’ll tell you more about shortly—or straight to Posina, about 20 km to the southeast, where the valley’s mountain cuisine and locally sourced ingredients are sure to impress.If you’ve got a pen and paper handy, here are a few must-try dishes. Ready to jot them down?mountain potato gnocchibeans and vegetables from Posinasoppressa vicentina, a prized local cured meatgrilled polentaalpine cheesestrout and freshwater fishYou can either try them all in one go… or use it as a perfect excuse to stay a few more days!With full stomachs, we set off again together into the Posina Valley, one of the most picturesque areas of the Vicentine Prealps. It’s a patchwork of mountain hamlets, glistening waters, and woodland. The surrounding mountain peaks frame the scene.In Posina, you’ll find Lake Main, an artificial basin originally created as a tourist attraction but now perfectly harmonized with the natural landscape.Here’s a little bonus if you’re travelling with kids: near the lake stands the old Main Mill, now home to Posenello, a friendly imaginary sprite who invites young and old alike to reconnect with nature and simple pleasures.From the mill, you can also follow the Posenello Trail, a circular family-friendly walk through the surrounding countryside.Before we say goodbye, we promised to tell you a little more about the town of Laghi. In some ways, it’s a record-holder! It’s the smallest municipality in the Veneto region, with around 130 residents—that’s roughly one person every six square kilometers!Yet, it’s home to two natural lakes and a small stream, as well as four traditional mountain dairies.Though tiny, Laghi opens out onto Europe: it’s crossed by the E5 European Long-Distance Trail, which stretches from the Adriatic Sea all the way to Lake Constance, the meeting point between Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.That brings our day trip to an end. Few places like the stretch between Tonezza and Posina offer such a magical blend of nature, legend, and outstanding culinary tradition.But we’re not out of steam just yet. So in the next episode, get ready for two days of high energy: a journey of adventure and remembrance between Schio and Valli del Pasubio.You’ve been listening to On the Road – Journeys of Discovery in the Pedemontana Vicentina, a podcast produced by OGD Pedemontana Veneta e Colli.Writing, voiceover, music, and post-production by eArs.Co-funded by the 2025 National Tourism Fund.Visit visitpedemontana.com to learn more about our itineraries and immerse yourself in the local landscape.