San Leonardo and the Lisignago countryside

<p>A straightforward walk to the splendid chapel of San Leonardo in the midst of bold vineyarded terraces and farmhouses</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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</p>