The Brenta River - SUP Adventure
Imagine being in a lush green valley in the heart of the Italian Alps, paddleboarding through forests, enchanting villages, and crystal-clear waters!
It was a dream come true for Nicola Volani at the end of April 2025, when, with river paddleboarding instructor Marco Prai, they ventured into the Valbrenta. We asked Nicola to share his adventure with us.
Starting from Valstagna, we made our way to the city of Bassano del Grappa. We are in northern Italy, specifically in the Veneto region and the Valbrenta valley, through which the Brenta River flows. This river, with its stunning colors, is a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and also river paddleboarding! In fact, there is a beautiful yet technical slalom course right here.
The idea was to start from the village of Valstagna and reach the “Ponte degli Alpini” in Bassano, a bridge declared a “national monument” and designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio. The route covers about 16 km entirely along the Brenta River, alternating between calm stretches and more challenging sections that require the usual techniques and precautions of river paddleboarding.
After putting on our helmets, life jackets, quick-release leashes, and protective gear (and, of course, starting Paddle Logger!), we grabbed our paddleboards and literally jumped into the river! From the very first meters, we found ourselves immersed in vibrant greenery, with steep mountains all around framing a spectacular valley.
We paddleboarded from one village to the next, soaking in the surrounding scenery—it felt like being in a fairytale! Merlo, Valbrenta, Solagna are just some of the charming villages we encountered along the way to our final destination. Meanwhile, the water churned beneath our boards, and with Marco’s guidance, we navigated the river’s more demanding sections. Small rapids and sudden currents made the descent thrilling and full of adrenaline.
Thanks to Paddle Logger, I was able to monitor my heart rate, the distance covered, and all the useful data for the descent. From time to time, we stopped at the riverbank, entering what are known as "morte"(“dead points”)—areas where the river flows backward instead of downstream.It was great learning these techniques, which aren’t used in flatwater paddleboarding!
Our destination was getting closer, the river became calmer, and in the distance, we began to spot Bassano del Grappa. After carrying our boards past a dam on the river, we entered the final stretch of our journey. Slowly, the finish line came into view: the majestic “Ponte degli Alpini” of Bassano del Grappa stood before us—truly a monumental sight.
Seeing it and passing under it from the water was an unforgettable experience—the perspective is simply stunning!
It was a Sunday, and the town was bustling with people, many of whom watched and photographed us with curiosity. After passing under the bridge, we landed on the grassy area to its right, where our partners were waiting for us. We headed straight to the bridge for the traditional photos and enjoyed the typical local liquor: the “Mezzoemezzo”. Loaded with food and drinks, we had a lovely picnic on the banks of the Brenta River and enjoyed some well-deserved rest!
