Hiking Through History: Villa Draghi, Monte Alto & Monte Trevisan

For our next adventure, we set our sights on Monte Trevisan and Monte Alto, two stunning peaks in the Colli Euganei, with a grand start at the elegant Villa Draghi. If you’re looking for a hike that blends breathtaking views, lush nature, and a touch of historical charm, this is the one for you!

The sun didn’t bother to come out this time, but at least it didn’t rain, and the hike was still enjoyable.

Our Komoot route, but we did forget 

to time a 20-minute part of our trail. (oops)

With cool weather on our side, we started our journey at Villa Draghi, a stunning 19th-century neo-Gothic villa perched on the hillside. Though it was originally meant to be a luxurious retreat, it never quite met its grand ambitions. Today, however, it stands as a beautifully restored landmark, surrounded by a vast park with winding trails, diverse plant life, and even the occasional wildlife sighting.

Next to the Villa, you can find the Associazione Villa Draghi, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and promotion of the historic estate. Founded with the mission of safeguarding the cultural and natural heritage of the area, the association actively works to maintain the Villa’s architectural integrity and ensure its accessibility to the public.

In addition to overseeing conservation efforts, the Associazione Villa Draghi organizes a variety of events, including guided tours, exhibitions, workshops, and cultural activities that highlight the historical and artistic significance of the site. It also collaborates with local authorities, historians, and environmental groups to promote sustainable tourism and educational initiatives.

There, we found a stand with various magazines, books, and even maps you can get and all that by "offerta libera", which means you can choose to pay the amount you want/can as a way to support them in maintaining the historical landmark, and it is also for donations.

After a moment of admiring the villa’s architecture and panoramic view, we set off toward the first peak of the day: Monte Trevisan.

• Monte Trevisan: A Hidden Gem

Monte Trevisan is the smaller of the two peaks, but don’t let that fool you—it’s just as rewarding. The trail winds through a
magical tunnel of chestnut and oak trees, offering shade and a peaceful atmosphere. Along the way, we stumbled upon ancient dry-stone walls, silent reminders of the region’s agricultural past. Unlike some of the more famous peaks in the Colli Euganei, Monte Trevisan remains relatively quiet, making it the perfect spot for a break, a deep breath of fresh air, and a moment to enjoy nature in solitude. But we weren’t done yet—the real challenge was still ahead!

• The hardest part of the hike

This is a warning for whoever follows the trail as we did. Halfway through the hike, after passing by the Trevisan summit, we encountered a downhill situation that could have been quite dangerous had we not been prepared with hiking shoes. It was a 30-meter descent right before arriving in the Via Monte Nero. In this part, having hiking poles can be very useful!
We also advise to try to find another way down, as at the moment we did not find any other we decided to go down this path and had two of us slipping. Please be careful! 

• Findings along the way

As we made our way along the trail, after passing Trevisan but before reaching Monte Alto, we stumbled upon a charming restaurant nestled in the hills called COYOTE. Bettola Del Refosco. Although we did not stop there to have lunch, it had a small animal farm beside it, home to goats, donkeys, and other friendly animals that came over to us to say hi. It was an unexpected and delightful stop, adding a unique touch to our hike and offering a perfect spot to take a short break and enjoy the peaceful countryside atmosphere.

Later, we made another exciting discovery—a closed-off cave hidden within the landscape. Though we couldn’t go all the way inside as it was obstructed, just finding it felt like uncovering a secret tucked away in the hills. The cool, shadowy entrance and the mystery of what lay beyond made it a fascinating and unexpected find along the trail.

• Monte Alto: The Grand Finale

With renewed energy, we made our way toward Monte Alto, the taller of the two peaks. The trail became a mix of well-maintained paths and some steeper sections—nothing too extreme, but enough to get your heart pumping… and maybe make you consider rolling down the hill like a potato sack.

As we climbed higher, the scenery transformed: dense forests gave way to rocky outcrops, and we caught glimpses of the valley below. And finally, the reward: an incredible panoramic view of the rolling Colli Euganei and the charming town of Montegrotto Terme.

• Geological aspects

Monte Alto (207 m), located near Montegrotto, tells a fascinating story of ancient volcanic activity. It was formed by a submarine eruption of rhyolitic lava, which, upon contact with water, rapidly cooled and fragmented into breccia. This sudden cooling also led to the formation of microscopic feldspar crystals within a glassy volcanic matrix, a texture known as perlite. Evidence of this process can be observed in the abandoned quarry on Monte Alto, where the exposed rock showcases the unique characteristics of this volcanic history. These formations provide a glimpse into the region’s geodynamic past, offering an exciting opportunity to witness how underwater eruptions shaped the Euganean Hills landscape

• How to Get There

Getting to the trail is pretty straightforward, even if our chosen starting point wasn’t the most convenient one!

If you’re taking public transport, you can start at the Terme Euganee – Abano – Montegrotto train station. Just be prepared to walk a little extra to get to the start of the hike. To do this, head west from the station until you reach the Museo del Termalismo e del Territorio; the trail starts right behind it, and it is really well-signalled. It took us around 25-30 minutes on foot to get to the start of the hike from the station.

If you’re driving, you can take the exit Casello A13 Terme Euganee and go towards Montegrotto. There’s a parking lot near Villa Draghi (by the Museo del Termalismo e del Territorio). If that fills up, there’s also another parking area near the beautiful cemetery.

• Why You Should Hike Here

If you’re looking for a hike that isn’t too long but still offers a good mix of history, nature, and stunning views, this one is a winner. Villa Draghi adds a touch of elegance, Monte Trevisan gives you solitude and charm, and Monte Alto delivers a rewarding challenge with an unbeatable panorama.

And the best part? After the hike, you’re in Montegrotto Terme, so why not treat yourself to a relaxing thermal bath? You’ve earned it!

So lace up your boots, grab your hiking buddy, and set out to explore this incredible corner of the Colli Euganei. Trust us—you won’t regret it!

Have you hiked this trail before? Let us know your favorite part in the comments!

-L.