No Stairmaster? No problem! If you’re looking for a thigh-burning outdoor workout, this post is for you. Today I’m sharing a guide for hiking the historic 4444 steps in Asiago. That’s right, four thousand steps. It’s a great option for when you want to push yourself but also spend some time in nature and enjoy the gorgeous mountains in Vicenza.
Calà Del Sasso – How To Hike The 4444 Steps In Asiago
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FAQ for hiking the 4444 steps in Asiago
Where is it located?
Asiago, Vicenza about 1 hour’s drive from Ederle.
Is there a cost to hike?
No, it’s free.
What skill level is required?
Intermediate – more details below to decide if it’s suitable for you.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, though it might be difficult with a dog during the downhill sections as it can be slippery.
Is it kid-friendly/stroller friendly?
It’s definitely not stroller friendly, but perhaps kid-friendly. It depends on your kids really.
How long does it take?
3-4 hours depending on your pace.
What facilities are available?
There are no toilets or places to buy food on the trail.
What should you bring with you?
- Water
- Lunch, snacks, or energy gels (I packed snacks and always have a couple of these with me
) - Comfortable shoes (I used my New Balance Minimus for this hike)
- Camera (I use a GoPro with this compact selfie stick and tripod combo)
)
for this hike)
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This is the beginning of the trail going downhill.
The first thing to decide before you hike
Hiking up the steps is quite steep, taxing, and almost feels never-ending.
Before you plan how to get there, the first thing you need to decide is if you want to hike the uphill portion of the trail first or last.
It’s a point to point trail with parking at either end, so you get to choose.
Personally, I hiked downhill first and finished with the uphill. This worked for me because I find hiking downhill tougher than uphill so it was easier to get it out of the way first, but it’s completely up to your preference.
Where to park for the 4444 steps hike
To park at the bottom and hike the uphill first, you can use ‘4444 Scalini’ in Google Maps.
You’ll drive around a bend and see a parking lot of the side of the road. From there, the trail starts at the bend in the road and there is a big sign so it’s easy to spot.
To park at the top and hike the downhill first, you can use ‘Cala del Sasso’ in Google Maps and the parking is off Via Lova. You can park along the side of the road or there is also a big lot outside the sporting club.
Parking area to start at the top of the trail and go downhill first. There is this area or you can park slightly closer along the side of the street next to this.
This is the parking area to hike the uphill leg first. The start of the hike is where I am standing to take the photo.
What to expect on the Calà del Sasso trail
As you can imagine with 4444 steps, it’s a really long staircase.
It’s cool to be able to hike something so historic – the stairs were built between 1388 and 1392! The trail was used for communication and trade to connect Sasso with Valstagna, and even to transport wood from the mountains that was used to build ships in Venice.
But, it can get a little boring at times because there’s not a lot of variety to the trail, so make sure your hiking buddy is someone you like talking to.
Another thing that makes this hike unique is that there are some cool wooden sculptures positioned along the trail towards the top. They provide a nice distraction and a little motivation when you are going uphill – once I started seeing them again I knew I was close to the top!
As with many hikes in Italy, there are also a few religious ornaments scattered along the way.
If you want to add on to the hike, there is a side trail that goes to a cave and it’s well signed so you will be able to see it easily as you hike.
Cool wooden sculptures you will see along the trail.
Safety tips
Prepare for a long hike so allow enough time to finish it before dark and bring plenty of water and snacks for refueling along the way. There are nice areas for a picnic at either end of the trail so it’d be a nice one to pack a lunch and have a break before turning around.
If you have knee issues, it might be best to skip this one.
The rocks and steps can be slippery especially if it has been raining, so just take it at your own pace. The trail is wide enough that if you need to stop and catch your breath or let people pass, it’s very easy to do so.
It’s not difficult in terms of hiking skill, because there are no ridges, boulders to climb, scary heights, or anything like that. For hiking skills, it’s good for beginners.
The difficulty comes with endurance because going uphill for that long is tiring. If you have a decent level of fitness you’ll be fine, and if you can do 52 tunnels, you can do this one.
As with anything, you know yourself and your kids best, so use your best judgment.
Clearing at the bottom of the steps
I hope this helps you plan your own hiking day on the 4444 steps trail.
It’s a unique, historic trail that gives you a great feeling of accomplishment at the end as well as some nice photos of nature.
Here are some other Vicenza travel guides you might enjoy
- A Complete Guide To The Ponte Avis Hiking Trail And Suspension Bridge
- A Complete Guide For The Croce Di Lumignano Hike in Vicenza
- Palazzino Fraccaroli – Exploring The Spooky Castle Of Spirits
- A Practical Guide On How To Hike The 52 Tunnels Trail In Italy
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