Imagine walking through rolling hills covered in meticulously maintained vineyards. The Italian sun warms your shoulders as you follow ancient paths connecting small villages and family-owned wineries. This is what awaits in the Prosecco Hills of northern Italy, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage region just a short journey from Venice.
The 52-kilometer Anello del Prosecco trail offers hikers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and opportunities to sample Italy’s most celebrated sparkling wine directly from the source.
I first discovered these trails last spring, wandering through terrain that shifts between lush woodlands, open hillsides with panoramic views, and vineyards that seem to cascade down the slopes like green waves. What makes hiking here special isn’t just the scenery—it’s how each bend in the trail might reveal a small family vineyard where you’re welcome to stop, rest, and taste wines that rarely make it beyond Italian borders.
The region offers trails for all abilities, from gentle walks between villages to more challenging routes that take you higher into the hills. My favorite aspect is how hiking here feels both adventurous and luxurious. You’re getting genuine exercise and connection with nature, but your reward is often a delicious vineyard lunch with bubbling Prosecco and local specialties served in the very place where the grapes are grown.
Discovering the Prosecco Hills
Just an hour north of Venice lies one of Italy’s hidden treasures – the rolling Prosecco Hills where vineyard-covered slopes create a patchwork of green that changes with the seasons. This “secret garden of Venice” offers both natural beauty and cultural richness.
The Allure of Northern Italy’s Wine Country
Walking through the Prosecco Hills feels like stepping into a painting. I found myself surrounded by gentle slopes covered with neat rows of glera grapes stretching as far as my eyes could see. The area spans about 52 kilometers of breathtaking landscapes, with vineyards tucked between lush woods and medieval churches.
The region sits in the foothills of the Dolomites, creating a perfect climate for growing the grapes that produce the world-famous sparkling wine. During my hikes, I discovered charming farmhouses and family-owned wineries that have been making Prosecco for generations.
What makes this area special is how untouched it feels compared to other wine regions. Despite being so close to Venice, the Prosecco Hills remain somewhat undiscovered by mass tourism.
UNESCO World Heritage Recognition
In 2019, the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene earned UNESCO World Heritage status, recognizing the unique landscape shaped by centuries of winemaking traditions. This designation celebrates both the natural beauty and the cultural significance of the region.
The UNESCO recognition highlights the remarkable “hogback” hills and the traditional farming methods that have preserved this landscape. Local winemakers still tend their steep vineyards by hand, maintaining techniques passed down through generations.
The protection helps ensure these traditions continue while promoting sustainable tourism. Many vineyards now embrace what locals call a “nature positive” approach – working to help nature and communities thrive together through practical solutions.
When walking these hills, I’m not just experiencing beautiful views but a living cultural landscape that tells the story of Italy’s relationship with the land and its famous sparkling wine.
Choosing Your Trail
The Prosecco Hills offer diverse trails for hikers of all experience levels. I’ve explored many routes through this UNESCO World Heritage region and found that each offers its own unique blend of stunning landscapes and opportunities to sample the area’s famous sparkling wine.
Popular Routes for Every Hiker
The Anello del Prosecco is my favorite trail in the region. It’s a 15-kilometer loop that winds through the picturesque countryside between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. It’s perfect for a day hike with moderate difficulty.
For beginners, I recommend the shorter paths around Santo Stefano or San Pietro di Barbozza. These gentle trails take you through rolling vineyards with plenty of wineries along the way offering tastings.
More experienced hikers should try the 52-kilometer Prosecco Trail. I tackled this multi-day adventure last spring and was rewarded with breathtaking views of:
- Medieval churches nestled in valleys
- Ancient farmhouses surrounded by vines
- Lush forests with diverse wildlife
- Panoramic viewpoints overlooking endless vineyards
Cinque Terre: A Coastal Adventure
While not in the Prosecco region itself, Cinque Terre offers an amazing companion trip when hiking in northern Italy. I combined these destinations on my last Italian adventure.
This string of five colorful coastal villages is connected by stunning hiking trails that hug dramatic cliffs above the azure Mediterranean. The most popular path is the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail), though sections occasionally close due to landslides.
My favorite route is from Monterosso to Vernazza. It’s a challenging 2-hour hike with steep sections and incredible sea views. Pack water and wear proper shoes!
The Cinque Terre National Park requires a hiking pass during peak season. I recommend visiting in spring or fall to avoid summer crowds and enjoy comfortable hiking temperatures.
A Taste of Tradition
Wandering through the Prosecco Hills offers more than just stunning views—it’s a journey through centuries of winemaking heritage and culinary excellence. The local vineyards don’t just produce Italy’s famous sparkling wine; they preserve cultural traditions that make this UNESCO region truly special.
The Art of Wine Tasting
I discovered that proper Prosecco tasting is an experience that engages all senses. In small, family-run wineries throughout the hills, passionate vintners taught me to appreciate the delicate bubbles and complex flavors of their DOCG wines.
“First, observe the clarity and effervescence,” explained one winemaker as she swirled the glass. “Then smell the aromas of apple, pear, and sometimes flowers before taking a small sip.”
Many tasting rooms offer flights of different Prosecco varieties—from dry Brut to sweeter Extra Dry—each expressing unique characteristics of the terroir. The experience typically costs €15-25 per person, with most including tours of the production facilities.
What surprised me most was learning how the unique soil of these hills—called “marl”—gives Prosecco its distinctive mineral quality that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Pairing Local Delicacies
Prosecco isn’t just for sipping alone—it’s meant to complement the region’s incredible food. Local vintners often serve simple yet delicious lunches during tastings.
Traditional dishes include:
- Sopressa (local salami) with crusty bread
- Casatella (soft cow’s milk cheese)
- Handmade gnocchi with mountain herbs
- Fresh pesto made with local basil
One memorable experience was enjoying a vineyard picnic where we paired Extra Dry Prosecco with fresh figs drizzled in local olive oil and sea salt. The combination was unexpectedly perfect.
Many wineries also offer cooking classes where I learned to make authentic regional dishes designed to complement their wines. The secret, they told me, is using seasonal ingredients and keeping preparations simple to let the natural flavors shine.
Beyond the Vineyards
While the Prosecco Hills offer unforgettable wine experiences, the surrounding regions showcase Italy’s diverse beauty. From historic cities to majestic mountains, these nearby destinations make perfect day trips or extended stays.
Exploring Nearby Treviso and Venice
Treviso is just a 30-minute drive from the heart of Prosecco country. This charming city often gets overlooked, but I found its medieval walls, quiet canals, and lack of tourist crowds refreshing. The city center feels like a miniature Venice, with water flowing everywhere.
Venice itself is only an hour away from the vineyards. I recommend visiting during shoulder seasons to avoid the summer crowds. The hidden bacari (wine bars) offer local cicchetti (small bites) and, yes, glasses of Prosecco for a fraction of St. Mark’s Square prices.
My favorite Venice experience was getting lost in the Cannaregio district. Here, local hospitality shines as authentic restaurants serve seafood risotto that pairs wonderfully with—you guessed it—a crisp glass of Prosecco.
Adventures in the Italian Lakes and Dolomites
The Italian Lakes region lies within easy reach of Prosecco country. Lake Garda, the largest lake, offers sailing, windsurfing, and beautiful lakeside towns like Sirmione with its Roman ruins.
For more dramatic scenery, I headed to the Dolomites, just a two-hour drive north. These jagged mountains provide stunning hiking in summer and world-class skiing in winter. The cable cars make even the highest peaks accessible to casual visitors.
The mountain refugios (huts) surprised me with their exceptional hospitality and food. After a day of hiking, nothing beats homemade pasta and local wine while watching the famous “enrosadira”—the pink alpenglow that bathes the mountains at sunset.
For wine lovers, the Alto Adige region in the Dolomites produces excellent cool-climate wines that make an interesting contrast to Prosecco.
Understanding Prosecco
Prosecco is more than just Italy’s famous sparkling wine – it’s a cultural icon with a rich history and specific production methods. The wine’s character is shaped by the unique terroir of the UNESCO-protected hills where it’s produced.
From Vine to Vintage
Prosecco comes primarily from the Glera grape, grown on sun-drenched slopes throughout the Veneto and Friuli regions. Unlike champagne, Prosecco uses the Charmat method (tank fermentation) rather than bottle fermentation, giving it fresh, fruity flavors at more accessible prices.
The best Proseccos come from the steep hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadone. Here, the combination of altitude, soil composition, and microclimate creates the perfect conditions for producing exceptional wines.
DOCG designation (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) marks the highest quality Proseccos, with stricter production rules than standard DOC varieties. When hiking through these hills, you’ll notice how vineyards are still largely hand-harvested due to the steep terrain.
Guidance from a Sommelier
I recently spoke with Marco, a local sommelier. He explained that properly tasting Prosecco involves all your senses.
“First, observe its straw-yellow color and persistent bubbles,” he advised. “Then appreciate the aromas of white flowers, apple, and pear.”
Marco recommends serving Prosecco between 6-8°C (43-46°F) in tulip-shaped glasses. This helps preserve the bubbles and concentrate aromas.
Unlike aged red wines like Pinot Noir, Prosecco is best enjoyed young and fresh. Typically, it’s best within a year of bottling.
When pairing with food, lighter Brut styles complement appetizers and seafood. Meanwhile, the sweeter Extra Dry works beautifully with local cheeses and light desserts.
Most visitors are surprised to learn that local Prosecco producers also make still wines worth exploring during your vineyard hikes.
