The Caglieron Caves are located in the area of Breda di Fregona, in the Province of Treviso.
The complex consists of a series of cavities, some artificial in origin and some natural.
The natural part is a deep gorge carved by theCaglieron stream through alternating layers of calcareous conglomerate, sandstone, and marls from the Middle Miocene (16 to 10 million years ago).
There are numerous waterfallsseveral meters high, with large plunge pools at their base.
In the deepest part of the gorge, large limestone formations can be seen on the walls partially closing the vault, giving the whole the appearance of a cave.
On the walls of the gorge are large artificial cavities, created by the extraction of sandstone, the typical “piera dolza” (soft stone).
Thequarrying activitydates back to the 1500s or possibly earlier, providing material for the construction of doorframes, lintels, etc., which can still be seen on old houses and palaces in Vittorio Veneto and surrounding areas.
An interesting extraction method was used: since the layers are inclined more than 45°, the material was detached in blocks using large chisels that have left visible marks, with the precaution of leaving inclined columns to support the vault.
This resulted in a series of evocative artificial cavities distributed along the gorge, at the bottom of which the swirling and noisy stream flows, leading to the construction of a fitted path.
Currently, the Caves complex is undergoing the development of the Caglieron Caves Park, mostly completed.
The start of the approximately 1 km path is located on Via Ronzon, just past the under-construction Visitor Center; via a pedestrian footbridge crossing the Caglieron stream, you descend onto a wide path, passing under the Provincial road bridge.
Along the path, there are numerous descriptive panels and, on the right, a very large cave (Breda cave), characterized by the inclined columns supporting the sandstone layers forming the ceiling. A little further on the left, a wooden walkway leads to the cave used for aging cave cheese (San Lucio cave) of the Agricansiglio dairy.
Returning just a few steps back, you reach a prow-shaped viewpoint from which you can admire the splendid natural gorge and continue along it on partially suspended walkways.
Due to the high limestone content of the waters, redeposition occurs with formations of large concreted surfaces, stalactites and stalagmitesof various shapes and colors.
In the brighter areas, there is a notable presence of travertinewith alternating mosses and other plant residues.
Inside the artificial cavities, there are some sections of tunnels accessible to speleologists.
Due to the constant temperature in the deepest parts of the caves and the progressive decrease of light, a series of microenvironments of considerable botanical and zoological interest.
can be observed.
At the end of the gorge path, the equipped trail leads to an ancient mill (restaurant) and, following local signs, continues ascending towards the park's upper end.
Along the trail, initially steep then flat, on the right are two small renovated houses intended to become the Stonemason's Museum, commemorating the ancient craft.
The path ends exiting directly onto Provincial Road 151, almost opposite a cave (Santa Barbara cave), previously used as a mushroom farm and now being prepared for future use as an educational laboratory.
In fact, the caves accessible here are only part of the existing cavities; other similar “caves” are staggered throughout the upper territory, up to Masarè above Borgo Ciser.
One of these, past the bridge on the provincial road, has been dedicated by local devotion to the Madonna. The Caglieron Caves, appreciated both in summer for their coolness and in winter for the stunning ice waterfalls, are a reference point for environmental education workshops and attract thousands of visitors every year. Caglieron Caves: A work of nature
and man, waiting to be rediscovered! Available at the Fregona Pro Loco is the publication “Geological Trail of the Caglieron Caves” coordinated by, Antonio Galgaro Paolo Mietto and Nereo Preto from the Department of Geosciences
at the University of Padua. Entrance isfree
; The Caves path is always accessible from dawn to dusk.
The Caves are not accessible with strollers. Dogs on leashes are allowed inside the area.
It is recommended to be careful on the wooden walkways, made with natural logs, as they can be slippery and uneven. They can be particularly tricky for children's feet and animals' paws.
; The Caves path is always accessible from dawn to dusk.
The Caves are not accessible with strollers. Dogs on leashes are allowed inside the area.
It is recommended to be careful on the wooden walkways, made with natural logs, as they can be slippery and uneven. They can be particularly tricky for children's feet and animals' paws.
The Caglieron Caves can also be reached on foot by parking in Piazza Maronese (near the Cemetery) and following trail1037B, Pont de Fer Trail (45 min.)
You can also pick up the Caves trail brochure at the notice board of our office at Via Marconi 6 (100 m from the town hall on the right), or download it at the following link.
For more information about the Caglieron Caves and our territory, you can visit us at our tourist office during the following hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 to 13:00; pre-holidays and holidays from 9:00 to 12:00.
You can contact us by phone at the following numbers: tourist office +39 0438 585487 mobile +39 337 517218 / +39 349 415 3580 Or write us an email at: info@prolocofregona.it