The area offers a wealth of things to do to those who want to spend their holidays or free time in this environment with unspoiled nature and discover the culture as well as food & wine delights.
The old-growth Cansiglio Forest is about 15 km far from the campsite. It is an old beech forest of great naturalistic value once owned by the Republic of Venice, which used its trees to build the naval fleet. The Cansiglio Forest is now listed to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From the lake you can see Mount Dolada, Col Mat, Col Nudo – which with its 2472m is the highest peak of all the Prealpi Venete – Teverone, Venal, and many more, which are crossed by hiking routes including the famous paths of the Alte Vie. In winter, the Alpago mountains are frequented by experienced ski-mountaineers. The Transcavallo is one of the most famous ski mountaineering races in the world.
The area consists of several very small towns, hamlets and villages rich in history and traditions that you can better learn by visiting the network of museums located in Alpago: Museo di Storia Naturale [Museum of Natural History] in Chies; Casa Museo dell’Alchimista [House Museum of the Alchimist] in Valdenogher; Museo Regionale dell’Uomo [Regional Museum of Man] in Cansiglio; Centro Etnografico e di Cultura Cimbra [Ethnographic and Cimbrian Cultural Centre] in Pian Osteria; Giardino Botanico [Botanical Garden] in Pian Cansiglio; Museo Ecologico [Ecological Museum] in Pian Cansiglio; Museo di Storia Militare [Museum of Military History] in Tambre; Scavi Archeologici [Archaeological Excavations] of Curago and Pian de la Gnela in Pieve Comune di Alpago; Oasi Naturalistica [Naturalistic Oasis] in Farra and Puos Comune di Alpago; Centro Ittiogenico [Ichthyogenic Centre] in Farra Comune di Alpago.
Lake Santa Croce together with the Cansiglio Forest belongs to the European ecological network called Natura 2000 network established to protect habitats and the most valuable and endangered species. In the northern area of the lake lies a naturalistic oasis, a place where you can visit a very particular wetland with its typical fauna.
Lake Santa Croce is one of the “Wonders” of the Conca dell’Alpago. It is a natural lake whose basin was artificially enlarged in the 1930s. 4 km long and 2 km wide, with a maximum depth of 44 metres, it is the second largest lake in the Veneto region, after Lake Garda. The lake is characterized by a thermal wind blowing from south to north from early afternoon until evening.
The Alpago area lies in a strategic position. In about an hour’s drive, you can reach the majestic and wonderful Dolomites to the north; to the south, the Prosecco Road for lovers of good wine not to mention Venice, the most beautiful city in the world.
All these places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Farming has always been one of the most important activities in the Alpago area. In the past few years, a careful and far-sighted development policy has fostered the increase in crops known for the variety and genuineness of their produce, highly appreciated and sought-after even outside the Conca, grown with respect for tradition and land and highly appreciated.
There is a wide selection of dairy products made following the rules for organic farming. The best-known production centre is located in Cansiglio, but there are also a lot of malghe [mountain huts] that directly process their milk.
The Strada dei Formaggi e dei Sapori delle Dolomiti Bellunesi [The road of cheese and tastes of the Belluno Dolomites] in Alpago provides high-quality organic products.
Cured meats are produced in the winter months using pork, beef, horsemeat, Alpago sheep, and game. The meats are processed by hand, with the addition of salt, pepper, garlic mixed with red wine or grappa.
Seasoning lasts no less than 2-3 months. Salami can also be slightly smoked with juniper branches and berries.
The lamb is a native breed of the Alpago area. A breed with triple attitude – meat, wool, and milk – it is currently exploited for its excellent meat boasting the recognition of the Slow Food Presidia.
The Mama dell’Alpago is a typical bean grown in the area belonging to the five Alpago municipalities. Its main features are its very thin skin, its delicate taste, and excellent digestibility.
The s’ciosele are small wild snails that were picked in the mountains of our basin above 1500 m of altitude in the summer months. In recent years, it has become a protected species because overcollection and other factors depleted its population, and snail gathering has currently been banned.
Small fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, currants, and raspberries are grown respecting the environment according to the principles of organic cultivation; from their processing, juice, jams, syrup, and cakes are obtained.
The pendole are strips of spicy salted pork and beef meat, dried and smoked hanging, hence their name [pendulum]. They were once food that lumberjacks and shepherds ate when they were working away from home.
They are a typical product of the Belluno Dolomites and are also prepared by a few specialized producers based in Alpago.
The pastin is an important tradition of the culinary culture of the Belluno Province. It is a mixture of pork and beef with the addition of lard, salt, pepper, spices, and different herbs, depending on the production area. Alpago has its traditional recipe as well.
The Alpago area has a long history linked to the cultivation of vines, once for family use. In the last years, some local companies have enhanced their production up to a professional level producing quality wines such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.