Chies D'alpago: Hiking, Natural History and Cultural Heritage

When looking for a hotel in Chies D'alpago, the focus of your stay can help you get your bearings: alpine trails, natural history, religious heritage or a taste of local cuisine. For the hiking trails, it is worth checking the starting point, destination and difficulty rating; the cultural attractions include the exhibition, the mountain huts and the sanctuary.

Alpine Trails and Their Destinations

Alpine trail 979 starts at Casera Pian Formosa and leads to Forcella Antander near Bivacco Toffolon. There it joins trail 928; its difficulty rating is E. A route to Monte Messer also starts near Casera Pian Formosa and first leads to Forcella Antander before continuing to the summit of Monte Messer. Forcella Antander is mentioned in both cases, but plays a different role: on trail 979, trail 928 branches off there, while the route to Monte Messer continues from there to the summit.

Two other routes are rated EE. Trail 924 in the Chies d’Alpago area leads from Casera Pal via Cimon del Cavallo to the regional boundary. Trail 931 leads in the Chies d’Alpago area from San Martino–Degnona to Monte Teverone. The two trails can be distinguished by their different starting points and destinations, even though they have the same difficulty rating. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Natural History and Alpagota Heritage

The Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Alpago is housed in the former primary school in Chies d’Alpago. Its fish exhibition features the Sanpierolo, a fish endemic to Lago di Santa Croce. The collection thus connects natural history with a specifically named lake.

Another part of the region’s heritage is represented by the now-disused mountain huts in the Malga Cate–Val Salatis area: they helped save the indigenous Alpagota sheep breed from extinction. The natural history of the lake and the story of preserving a sheep breed are therefore two distinct themes.

The Santuario della Madonna della Salute

The church now known as the Santuario della Madonna della Salute has been recorded in official documents since 1494. In 1783, Pope Pius VI granted the church a special indulgence; afterward, it was known under the new title “Beata Vergine della Salute.” This brings together an early documentary record and a later, precisely dated change of title.

Fiordilatte Ice Cream at Malga Illari

A description published in July 2025 recounts how people from the valley and the province come to Malga Illari to try the fiordilatte ice cream made there. Seasonal opening arrangements may vary, so check current availability before visiting.

Discover more destinations: San Gregorio Nelle Alpi, Cortina D'ampezzo, Lamon, Danta, Faller, Canale D'agordo, Colderù, Borca Di Cadore

For the main travel overview: Belluno.