Path of the Apparitions

The Path of the Apparitions is a historical, cultural, and religious itinerary through which it is possible to discover some of the main places of faith and devotion in the Vicenza foothills and, through the Valsugana, reach Trento.
The Path was born from the idea of combining two pilgrimages that locals frequently traveled in the past: the one to Monte Berico and the one to Pinè.
A route of approximately 100 km, it connects three locations that, in past centuries, were the site of Marian apparitions and where shrines visited annually by numerous pilgrims still stand today.

The Path/pilgrimage begins at the Sanctuary of Monte Berico in the City of Vicenza, then stops in Thiene at the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Olmo and, finally, via the Valdastico road, reaches Trentino and the village of Montagnaga di Pinè, where another Marian shrine is located.

The stages

It can be covered in 5 stages, which are:

Monte Berico (Vicenza) – Thiene 24.5 km
Thiene – Cogollo del Cengio 18 km
Cogollo del Cengio – Brancafora 21 km
Brancafora – Caldonazzo 17 km
Caldonazzo – Montagnaga di Pinè 17.5 km

Another 14 km stage is planned to reach Trento

Thanks to the friends of the CAI of Lonigo, a connection has also been opened between the Sanctuary of Monte Berico in Vicenza and the church of the Madonna dei Miracoli in Lonigo, covering approximately 30 km

Signage

The path is currently marked with:

Stickers placed on road signs;
White/Blue markings on country lanes or where there is no vertical road signage;
White/Red markings where the Path coincides with CAI and SAT trails.

Please note:
In Trentino, the signage for all routes has been standardized with the color White/Red; therefore, the path is not marked with the traditional White/Blue colors.

Data

Kilometers 102,5

Elevation gain 2,540 m

Elevation loss 1,780 m

Max altitude 1,185 m

Min altitude 30 m

Total unpaved 42.5 km (43%)

The stages of the Path

Coordinates

Coordinates for the starting point: Sanctuary of Monte Berico, Vicenza
N 45°32.104′ E 11°32.736′
N 45°32’06.279″ E 11°32’44.162″
N +45.5350775 E +11.5456008
Coordinates for the arrival point: Sanctuary of the Madonna di Pinè, Montagnaga
N 46°05.914′ E 11°14.199′
N 46°5’54.852″ E 11°14’11.940″
N +46.0985700 E +11.2366500

The 5 stages

of the path

Stage 1

Monte Berico (Vicenza) - Thiene

Distance: 26.4 km
Unpaved: 8 km (33%)
Walking time: 6.30 hours
Difficulty: Easy flat terrain
Elevation gain: 180 m
Elevation loss: 165 m

Stage 2

Thiene - Cogollo del Cengio

<strong>Direct to Centrale (Madonnetta oratory, Fratta Sanctuary)</strong>
Distance: 19 km
Unpaved: 7.5 km (40%)
Walking time: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Total elevation gain: 365 m
Total elevation loss: 165 m

<strong>Historical-naturalistic route with the variant for the churches of Zugliano</strong>
Distance: 27 km
Walking time: approx. 7 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Total elevation gain: 505 m
Total elevation loss: 300 m