Vodo Cadore: Reservoir, trails on Mount Pelmo and local history

If you’re looking for a hotel in Vodo Cadore, it’s worth considering the specific features of the town and its surroundings. Vodo di Cadore lies at an elevation of 910 metres in the valley of the Torrente Boite, between the Pelmo and Antelao Dolomite massifs. This setting gives your choice of location a clear geographical context: the valley, river and two named mountain massifs are all part of the town’s landscape.

The Boite and the dam

The Lago di Vodo lies just below the town. This artificial reservoir was created by a dam on the Boite. The Vodo Dam is a curved gravity dam, over 40 metres high and shaped like a quarter of a sphere. Here, the water, river and structure belong together: the lake is not natural, but part of clearly visible infrastructure on the river. Those interested in the landscape and how it was formed will find a tangible point of interest in this combination.

Trails and mountain destinations

The Lunga Via delle Dolomiti passes through Vodo. Its route continues through Calalzo di Cadore, Pieve and Valle to Vodo, then on to Borca and San Vito di Cadore. The route is closed to traffic along its entire length, paved and has steady, gentle gradients. It follows the route of the former Ferrovia delle Dolomiti, built during the First World War and decommissioned in 1964. The former railway had stations in Peaio and Vodo; its last train ran on 17 May 1964.

One specific mountain destination is Rifugio Venezia, near Campi di Rutorto on Pelmo’s southeastern slopes, within the municipality of Vodo di Cadore. From the Vodo di Cadore–Forcella De Cuze trailhead, the refuge can be reached via trails 493 and 471 in about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. The duration may vary depending on conditions. The planning details therefore differ: for the Lunga Via, the route, surface and gradients are the key points; for the Rifugio, they are the starting point, trail numbers and approximate duration. The Rifugio was inaugurated in 1892 as the first mountain refuge built on Italian soil in the Dolomites.

Churches and local figures

The history of a church in Vodo dedicated to Saint Lucy dates back to the 13th century. The Church of Santa Lucia is recognizable by its distinctive bell tower, topped with battlements. Another landmark is the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Vodo, founded on 25 June 1493. In Vinigo, the present-day church was rebuilt between the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

Peaio is also part of the town’s history: Italo Marchioni (1868–1954), regarded in Vodo as the inventor of the ice cream cone, was born there on 21 December 1868. A memorial artwork dedicated to him was installed in Peaio in 2003. This connection between his life and the memorial adds a more recent chapter in local culture to the older church buildings.

Dairy history and other places to visit

Vodo’s first officially established Latteria Sociale was founded on 16 November 1881. The following day, butter, cheese and ricotta were produced there. These dates mark a specific beginning for the area’s dairy history and show which products were processed at the cooperative at the time.

The Azienda Agricola Talamini De La Tela in Vodo offers a glimpse into farming practices. It is certified as a Fattoria Didattica and gives visitors an insight into milk production and agriculture. If you’re planning a visit, check the current visitor arrangements in advance. From Vinigo, the old mill can be reached along an easy, flat road. A farm and a historic mill therefore add two more themes to the churches, local history and trails for you to consider when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Vigo di Cadore, Chies D'alpago, Santo Stefano Di Cadore, Cortina D'ampezzo, Salce, Arabba, Colmean, Dont.

For the broader travel overview: Belluno.