A straightforward walk to the splendid chapel of San Leonardo in the midst of bold vineyarded terraces and farmhouses
On rocky high ground above the Avisio stream, just a little below Lisignago, stands enchanting isolated Chiesa di San Leonardo, rebuilt in Gothic style in the 15th century on much older foundations. Legend has it that ruins of an ancient castle lie underneath its paving stones. Inside there are extraordinary frescoes dating to the second half of the 15th century and the bell tower contains one of the valley's oldest bells.
The itinerary starts at Chiesa di San Biagio, in the town centre. From the car park behind the church, follow country roads signed Chiesa di San Leonardo downhill before climbing up the rise on which the little church was built, for attractive views over the valley, also thanks to a panoramic belvedere equipped with tables and benches.
Retrace your steps to the bottom of the rise and continue downhill into the countryside past two small country huts to Rio Ischiele in its cool valley. The route then begins to climb and, after a few hundred metres, turns right following a road into the forest and continues on forest tracks, climbing up progressively and emerging in vineyards once again and to Maso Spedenal, a large building which seems to have functioned as a hospice as well as presiding over the fields. At a crossroads soon after the farmhouse, turn right onto a fairly even country road all the way back to Lisignago
The Church is visitable inside only by appointment to be arranged with the Municipality of Cembra Lisignago. For more information call 0461 683063
Even if this trail is not technically difficult and has no dangerous stretches, we always and in any case suggest to follow the general rules on safety for mountain hikes.
The route starts from the Church of San Biagio, in the center of Lisignago. From the parking behind the church, you descend along country roads following the signs for the Church of San Leonardo. You then climb the hill on which the small church stands, from which you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the valley, also thanks to a panoramic viewpoint equipped with tables and benches.
Returning to the foot of the hill, we descend again into the countryside following the road on the south side of the promontory, which immediately passes between two farmhouses. The road descends until it reaches the Ischiele stream in a cool small valley. From there you continue for a few hundred meters and then turn right into the woods. You continue along the road in the woods progressively climbing to emerge again into the vineyards and reach the Maso Spedenal, a large farmhouse that seems to have served both as a hostel and as a control point for the fields. You continue then turn right at the fork, thus following the fairly flat country road that brings us back towards Lisignago.
Public parking behind the Church of San Biagio in Lisignago