The Little Dolomites
Framing the Agno and Chiampo Valleys are the Little Dolomites, a mountain range in the Vicentine Pre-Alps situated on the border between the provinces of Vicenza, Trento and Verona.
The term Piccole Dolomiti, according to SOIUSA, means the Massiccio del Pasubio, the Gruppo del Sengio Alto, the hinge between Pasubio and Carega that extends between Pian delle Fugazze and Alpe di Campogrosso, the Gruppo del Carega, the highest elevation of the area that goes from the Passo delle Tre Croci to the Passo di Campogrosso and the Catena delle Tre Croci, that starting from the Sella del Campetto arrives at the Passo delle Tre Croci.
The area of the Piccole Dolomiti is characterized by the contrast of the Dolomite peaks with the gentle meadows rich in vegetation and pastures. The geology of the area of Rhoara is interesting and subject to study because the rocks belong to the period called Triassic, known throughout Europe for their integrity.
On the mountains surrounding the town of Recoaro Terme there is an exceptional flora. The peaks of the Little Dolomites are the emerging remains of the great glaciations of the Quaternary period and host, as refuge massifs, preglacial botanical varieties. The considerable altimetrical excursion (ranging from 400 m. above sea level to 2259 m. of Cima Carega) determines a significant temperature range that means that you can find all the vegetation belts typical of the Alps, from chestnut forests to beech forests, from mixed forests to fir trees, to the alpine meadow.
The territory is inhabited by a rich fauna: from the swift of the lower altitudes to the hawks, to the buzzard, to the numerous crows, “le grole”, which live among cliffs and rocky walls, to the gallo forcello.
“Recoaro, as a landscape – wrote Nietzsche at the end of the nineteenth century – is one of my most beautiful experiences”.
A territory that offers many possibilities of leisure, through the walks you can admire the districts and the “malghe” discovering the history and the traditions of the place, you can practice mountaineering, trekking, nordic walking, mountain bike, gliding and climbing.
The Ecotouristic Ring of the Little Dolomites
The territory is crossed by the Ring of the Little Dolomitesis an eco-tourist route that connects the ten municipalities of the Agno Valley and the neighboring Valley of Chiampo, and that extends for more than 120 km between hilly and mountainous areas.
The Emerald Basin
The scenic beauty of Recoaro Terme, such as to call the country “Conca di Smeraldo“, is manifested in a lush vitality, a healthy environment and a generous and intact nature, a harmony of images and sounds ideal to recharge the soul and reconcile it with the landscape.
The landscape of the sky
From the brand new astronomical observatory of Marana (Crespadoro) you can admire the celestial sphere. In Contrada Pasquali there is the MARSEC, the astronomical observatory that carries out research and scientific divulgation thanks to its two domes, the innovative planetarium and the permanent exhibition in the fields of astronomy, geology and astronautics.
Throughout the year, the complex offers the public the opportunity to participate in interesting workshops and events for adults and children.
Specific events and visits dedicated to the observation and discovery of astronomy and the starry sky. For information read the site. Site https://www.marsec.org/
