FAQ

What is the best bike for the Veneto Trail?
  • As you can imagine, this is the question we are asked most frequently, particularly since gravel bikes are so widespread and used even in rough terrains.
  • The question itself does not have a single answer and is highly dependent on several factors, such as the training and driving skills of each participant, the amount of equipment one brings along, and the weather along the way.
  • For us, the ideal bike is a front mountain bike, although either a monstercross or a full suspension bike are fine. It is essential to have Mtb tyres and generous ratios for long climbs. On average, 2.1-2.2″ tyres with a 1:1 ratio are sufficient.
  • We advise you not to underestimate the long climbs, which, with the heat, fatigue and extra weight due to the loaded bike and water, may be less easy than expected.
  • Here you can find some examples, the rigs of the 2021 edition:
BIKEPACKING.COM – VENETO TRAIL 2021
What is the average time for riding the route?
  • Short answer, 4-5 days on average.
  • Obviously we are also here answering a subjective question with several variables that must be taken into consideration. With good weather, the average time to finish the route is about four and a half days, according to recent editions, although there are participants who arrived in less than two days and participants who took more than a week.
  • Non esistono dei tempi precisi di riferimento o alcun FKT (Fastest Known Time) del percorso poiché questo varia di anno in anno e, soprattutto, non si tratta di una gara.
What kind of health certificate do I need? (Only for Italian riders)
  • Il certificato medico è obbligatorio per poter partecipare all’evento e deve essere o un Certificato Medico Agonistico per il Ciclismo o un Certificato di idoneità alla pratica di attività sportiva di particolare ed elevato impegno cardiovascolare, conforme al DM 26/04/2013 e rilasciato da un Centro Medico Sportivo o da un Medico.
  • Il certificato medico deve avere scadenza successiva all’evento (inclusa la sua durata) e deve essere inviato a info.venetotrail@gmail.com
  • Qualora il certificato medico non fosse conforme, verrà rifiutato e l’iscritto dovrà provvedere a inoltrarne uno nuovo e conforme.
  • Non presentare il certificato medico o presentare un certificato non valido è motivo di esclusione dall’evento e non dà diritto al rimborso dell’iscrizione.
What kind of health certificate do I need? (Only for foreign riders)
  • Participants from abroad, unlike those from Italy, may submit a different form, entitled 'Health Certificate for cardiovascular intensive sport activity'.
  • This certificate can be filled and signed by your personal doctor, even if traditional agonistic certificates are valid too.
  • You can find a sample of the health certificate here:
HEALTH CERTIFICATE – EXAMPLE
What kind of insurance do I need? (Only for foreign riders)
  • To take part to the Veneto Trail the participants that are not resident in Italy or do not have Italian citizenship must be covered by a valid insurance which covers death, accident and health insurance valid during the event, covering emergency. A legal liability insurance is also required.
  • Insurance and liability documentation must be sent to info.venetotrail@gmail.com
Is there a time limit for riding the Veneto Trail?
  • There is no time limit to complete the Veneto Trail.
  • For logistical and facility availability reasons, arrival, showers and refreshments are only available until Thursday evening (Thursday following Saturday departure). This also includes the possibility of sleeping in the gym on arrival, which will no longer be possible from Friday.
Can I sleep in Hotels or BnBs?
  • Yes, you can use hotels and BnBs, as long as they are facilities theoretically accessible to every participant.
  • Logistical support or assistance during the event is not permitted. This also includes the use of private facilities (family, friends) for overnight stays.
  • The presence of a media team is permitted but must be reported to the organisation before the start of the event.
How much food do I need to carry with me?
  • The food, considering supermarkets and bars/restaurants/malghe/rifugi, is spread throughout the route, with no long isolated portions. Only a minimum of planning is required in some areas, but nothing significant.
  • You will find supermarkets or small grocery shops every time you go down to the valley.
  • However, we recommend that you bring some food (besides the usual energetic snacks), which is always a good idea when going into the mountains on an unfamiliar route.
Is there a list of hotels along the route?
  • There is no list of Hotels and BnBs as the route changes every year.
  • We recommend using huts and malgas whenever possible, both for food and for accommodation if necessary. These are unique places with a special atmosphere and traditional food; you will not regret it.
Is there a limit on the numbers of registrations?
  • There is no limit of the number of registrations.
  • The only requirements for participating in the Veneto Trail are to be at least 18 years of age and to have a valid health certificate. For foreign participants, it is also necessary to have insurance, for which we advise you to read the regulations.
  • Late registration (after May 1rst) is not possible.
RULEBOOK - ITALIAN
RULEBOOK - ENGLISH
How to reach Cittadella from abroad by plane?
  • The closest airports to Cittadella are Venice Treviso (TSF) and Venice Marco Polo (VCE), both served by low-cost airlines. Venice is also served by other traditional airlines. Two alternatives are Verona Airport or Trieste Airport.
  • If you would like to cycle directly from Treviso airport, there is a nice smooth cycle path (Ostiglia) that allows you to get to Cittadella without encountering traffic, a pleasant ride of about 40km. Write us for more info.
  • Arriving by bike directly from Venice airport is a bit longer but still feasible. We recommend that you plan your route in advance as there are some dangerous roads and also take the Ostiglia cycle path once you are near Treviso. Write us for more info.
  • Treviso and Venice are connected to Cittadella by train. From Treviso you can use the direct route Treviso Centrale > Vicenza Centrale, that stops in Cittadella. From Venice you need to make 1 change and there are two possible solutions. Venezia Mestre > Padova > Bassano del Grappa (stops at Cittadella) or Venezia Mestre > Castelfranco Veneto > Vicenza (stops at Cittadella).
  • If the bike is closed and disassembled, there are no problems with transport by train. If the bike is mounted, however, it is necessary to purchase an additional ticket (not available online).
  • Bike transport (mounted) is only possible in regional and fast regional trains and not in Frecce/Italo.
  • To our knowledge you cannot transport a mounted bike on local busses.
How to reach Cittadella from abroad by train?
  • The main railway junction stations to look at if you want to reach Cittadella from abroad are Padua and Treviso, or possibly Verona. From Padua and Treviso there are direct routes to Cittadella (respectively in the direction of Bassano del Grappa and Vicenza), while from Verona you need at least 1 change.
  • Some long-distance routes that reach one of the stations mentioned above are: Munich > Venice Santa Lucia (direct, stops in Verona Porta Nuova or Padua), Wien > Venice Santa Lucia (direct, stops in Treviso).
Is free camping possible during the event?
  • At the national level in Italy, there are no rules that regulate overnight stays in tents. In the entire Veneto region, wild camping is prohibited outside the equipped areas, but as “wild camping” in Italy is defined as camping in a tent for over 24 hours in a place, there are some exceptions that you can easily take advantage of without breaking any rules. It is possible to set up a tent for a shorter period and in places other than campsites. If you camp right before sunset and leave at dawn or shortly after (“bivacco notturno” in Italian) you will have no problem. Please avoid areas next to Alpine huts (“Rifugi”), very touristic locations, as well as monumental areas, of course. Remember to leave no trace.
  • A reasonable alternative to camping are the mountain huts (Rifugi in Italian) along the way. They offer basic accommodation and traditional meals but require some planning ahead. You’ll also often pass through villages with hotels and B&Bs. The only major town is Bassano del Grappa, where you can find everything you need.
Can I sleep in the gym the night before the start?
  • On the evening before the start, you can use a gym to sleep with your bike and equipment inside. There are no beds or dormitories, just a few mattresses. Showers and toilets are also available.
  • The same gym and facilities will also be available on arrival for the first 6 days after departure on Saturday. For logistical reasons it will then no longer be possible to use the gym from Thursday evening.
How much water should I carry with me?
  • Although the Veneto Trail is not a route in isolated places, the amount of water to take with you should never be underestimated.
  • Water could be a problem during long climbs, such as the Costo Vecchio (Altopiano di Asiago), where it is not possible to find drinking fountains.
  • In our opinion, it is necessary to have about 2L of water with you, to be increased slightly in case of extreme heat.
What are the temperatures along the route in June?
  • The route varies a lot in terms of elevation and therefore very different temperatures can be found. Lower temperatures can be found during thunderstorms or at high altitudes during the night (as low as 5°C).
  • In general, the Po Valley is very hot/humid and in June temperatures can exceed 30 °C. In some parts of the route there is little shade so be careful if temperatures are high and try to carry more water with you.
  • Thunderstorms (especially in the afternoons of very hot days) are common in the mountainous areas of the route, so be careful.
  • Below you can find some values, indicative, for Cittadella (Po valley) and Cortina d'Ampezzo (1400m above sea level). Consider that the route reaches and exceeds 2000 m a.s.l. on one or more occasions, so the minima will be lower than those listed.
Can I use my mobile phone for navigation?
  • The GPS device, as per the regulations, is part of the mandatory equipment to participate in the event.
  • For safety and battery life reasons, it is not possible to participate to the trail just by following the .gpx track from a mobile phone.
  • You can use your mobile phone for navigation but only if you also have a GPS device with you.
Can I leave my bike-box or stuff somewhere during the event?
  • Yes, you can leave your bike box at the gym till when you'll be back at the finish.
When is the route sent to participants?
  • General information on the following year's route are published in December.
  • A unofficial .gpx is sent to all registered participants approximately one week after the registration closure. The provisional track is subject to changes and modifications till the final gpx is sent.
  • The final .gpx route, cycled a few weeks before in its entirety, will be sent to all riders one week before the start.
Where can I eat in Cittadella?
Where can I park my car/van during the event?
  • VillaRina parking is the most convenient place in relation to the check-in, departure and arrival areas: https://goo.gl/maps/CZnzsZPKUsgu27cUA
  • It is not a guarded car park but it is large, free and relatively safe.
  • You can leave your vehicle parked there for the duration of the event as long as it is within the white lines.
  • Unfortunately, there are no equipped campsites in the area, except at a distance of more than 20 km from Cittadella (PD).
Is there a bike shop in Cittadella?
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