How To Hike To Brent De L’Art – The Grand Canyon Of Italy

Coming to you today with another easy day trip idea. I like that it’s something a little different to add variety to your adventures – not that mountains ever get old, but it’s fun to keep things different and throw in a gorge every now and then, right? This one’s got an easy hike, water to cool off in, and a pretty neat gorge to see. I read that it was called the Grand Canyon of Italy and, while I feel like that’s overstating it a bit, it’s still a beautiful place to visit. Here’s a practical guide on how to hike to Brent De L’Art in Belluno, Italy.

How To Hike To Brent De L’Art – The Grand Canyon Of Italy

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Before we get started

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FAQ for hiking to Brent De L’Art

Where is it located?

Belluno, just under 2 hours drive from Ederle.

How long does it take?

About 1 hour each way depending on your pace.

What skill level is required?

Beginner.

What type of trail is it?

You can do this as a point to point or loop trail.

Is it kid-friendly?

Yes, but not stroller friendly.

Is it dog-friendly?

Yes.

What facilities are available?

Small vendor selling light snacks and cold drinks. No toilets.

Is there a cost?

No, it’s free.

What should you bring with you?

• Water
• Sun protection
• Swimsuit
• Lightweight towel
• Comfortable shoes – if you’re looking for a shoe the New Balance Minimus is my favorite beginner hiking shoe
• A waterproof camera if you want to get in the water – I use this one for my outdoor adventures

Where to park

Use ‘Parcheggio Brent De L’art‘ in Google Maps to get to the free parking area.

There’s also a second parking area at ‘Parcheggio Brent de l’Art 2‘ which is a little further back. It’s a popular spot, so if you go earlier it will be easier to get a spot.

There are some narrow roads to get there, so just keep that in mind if you have a big car.

Main parking area

It’s easy to follow the signs on the trail

What to expect on the Brent De L’Art trail

The trail itself is an easy one which makes it perfect for beginner hikers or families.

It starts off following the road Località Sant’Antonio di Tortal. It’s open to the sun, so make sure you have water and some sun protection because it’s quite hot in the summer.

Keep following the road until it ends and becomes the trail to Brent De L’Art. There is also a sign along this road with a map and options for trails.

The trail itself is well maintained and well signed, so it’s very easy to follow. It’s also popular enough that you’re never too far from people.

After the road ends, the trail moves downhill into the gorge with a mix of downhill trail and stairs.

The only thing to remember is that what goes down must come up, so you have a bit of an incline walk to get back to the car.

There are other trail options here too, so you can do this as a point to point and go the same way back to the car. Or another option is to do a loop using the blue trail (follow the blue signs) and this will bring you out near the parking lot.

We did the blue trail and it was a good way to see a little more of the area. There were fewer people doing the loop as well, so if you want to get away from the crowds, you could do this for the way back.

First section of the trail following the road

Stairs on the trail

Following the blue trail loop to get back to the parking lot

The canyon

At the canyon area itself, there’s room to put your towel down, let the kids splash in the water, and have a picnic lunch.

You can also walk through it to explore further back.

The colors of the rocks are pretty like a work of art made by Mother Nature. It’s also a little mesmerizing to see the layers in the rock along the gorge.

I think this would be really gorgeous to see in fall after the leaves start changing color.

If you’ve seen the OG Grand Canyon in America, then don’t expect that. It’ll be pretty underwhelming if you do. It’s nowhere near as epic as that but it’s certainly a pretty area to spend a day and a good way to escape the heat.

Safety tips for hiking to Brent De L’Art

The main safety tips would be to be mindful of the heat since most of the trail is on the road and exposed to the elements.

You’ll definitely want to have lots of water on you and some snacks to keep you fueled.

If you explore into the gorge, be careful climbing the rocks and use common sense around that.

Keep an eye out for snakes too. We saw one crossing the road right in front of us. Luckily he stayed out long enough for me to snap a photo before he slid back into the grass.

As always, check the weather, hike to your skills, and use your best judgment as to whether this is a good option for you.

Keep an eye out for slithery friends on the trail

You can climb down and explore further back into the canyon this way

Other Italy guides you might enjoy

• What You Need To Know For The Tre Cime Hike And Caves
• How To Visit The Sanctuary Of Madonna Della Corona In Verona
• How To Hike The Sentiero Monte Cengio In Asiago, Vicenza
• A Complete Guide To The Ponte Avis Hiking Trail And Suspension Bridge

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