Rivamonte Agordino: Mining, Local Traditions and Hiking Trails

Rivamonte Agordino offers ways to plan a stay around mining history, local traditions and hiking trails. A central site in the area’s mining history is the Centro Minerario di Valle Imperina. It is located within the municipality of Rivamonte Agordino and within the boundaries of the Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi.

Valle Imperina and Mining History

Near the mining center, Valle Imperina extends for about one kilometer along its lower valley section, which lies at an elevation of 543 meters. There, the valley meets Val Cordevole at a right angle. Steep, forested slopes characterize the surroundings. Almost 60 percent of the municipality of Rivamonte Agordino lies within the national park.

The earliest evidence of the Centro Minerario di Valle Imperina dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. To reach the mining center, take State Road No. 203 Agordina. Parking is available at Le Campe; from there, a pedestrian bridge crosses the Torrente Cordevole. Fortino dei Castei is another historic site in the area: it is one of two surviving structures associated with past military events. The themed trail “La via degli Ospizi” also runs through the I Castei area.

Museum and Local Traditions

The Museo Etnografico dei Seggiolai “I Careghete” is located in the former elementary school complex on Via Tos. Exhibits include chairmakers’ tools, raw and finished materials, and the traditional clothing of the careghete. The exhibition also features information about emigration from the Agordino area and the chairmakers’ secret language.

Local customs also offer insight into Rivamonte Agordino’s culture. The traditional carnival masquerade “Òlt da Riva e compagnia bela” takes place on the second or third Sunday in February, depending on the date of Carnival. According to the tradition of San Giovanni, girls hoping to marry laid their aprons over the garden lettuce on the night of June 23–24 to collect dew.

Hiking Trails and Getting Oriented

“The Forgotten Mountain” is an easy circular trail with a walking time of just under two and a half hours. It is considered free of particular difficulties and is marked with nature park trail signs. The trail runs from the Centro Minerario di Valle Imperina to the hamlet of Zenich in the municipality of Rivamonte Agordino. Before setting out, check the current trail signs and conditions.

The longest variant reaches Forcella Franche and follows an old route used by miners from hamlets in the municipalities of Gosaldo and Rivamonte Agordino to get to their workplaces. When choosing a route, you can therefore distinguish between the circular trail with its stated walking time and a longer variant with an additional historical connection.

Bivacco Le Mandre may also be relevant for hikes. It has electricity from external solar panels, a wood-burning stove and simple furnishings; there are four to five sleeping places upstairs. There are no water sources at the bivouac or along the approach route. Bring water if you plan to stay.

A viewpoint just behind the church in Rivamonte offers a 360-degree view over the Conca Agordina. Together, the trails, mining center and ethnographic museum provide different themes to consider when planning a stay in Rivamonte Agordino.

Discover more destinations: Falcade, Farra D'alpago, Campagna, Cherz, Forno Di Zoldo, Agordo, Cimasappada, Villapiana-ronchena

For the broader travel overview: Belluno.