Tambre
Tambre is a mountain municipality of the Alpago, in the province of Belluno, nestled between Lake Santa Croce and the great Cansig...
Updated 12 July 2026
The story
The story of Tambre
A plateau between Lake Santa Croce and the Cansiglio
Tambre lies in the south-eastern part of the province of Belluno, at the centre of the historic-geographic region of the Alpago, about 15 kilometres from the provincial capital. The town sits on an undulating plateau of gentle hills and meadows that slope down to the valley floor and rise up towards the first slopes of the Cansiglio. Not far away lies Lake Santa Croce, a stretch of water popular with sports enthusiasts, particularly sailing and windsurfing fans thanks to the area's typical thermal winds, which together with the Cansiglio completes the territory's natural appeal.
The Cansiglio Forest, 'Forest of the Doges'
Tambre's distinctive feature is the immense forested amphitheatre of the Cansiglio, one of the most important forest complexes in the Veneto, with beech, fir and other species spread across about 7,000 hectares, shared between the municipalities of Tambre and Farra d'Alpago and the provinces of Treviso and Pordenone. For centuries it was the famous 'Forest of the Doges', a strategic timber reserve for the Arsenal of the Republic of Venice, which selected the best trees here for shipbuilding. Today the forest is managed under environmental protection criteria and is a destination for hiking, birdwatching and nature tourism.
The Pian Cansiglio, heart of the plateau
From Tambre, via the localities of Campon and Pian Osteria, the Pian Cansiglio can be reached in just a few minutes: a vast grassy plateau surrounded by woods, where herds and flocks graze in summer and cross-country ski tracks and snowshoe trails are laid out in winter. It is one of the most beloved spots in the Alpago, offering a different experience in every season: from the snowy silence of winter to the intense green of summer pastures, to the autumn colours of the beech woods surrounding the plateau.
A mountain municipality lived simply
Outside peak season, Tambre remains a quiet mountain town, with an economy tied to seasonal tourism, pastoral farming and forest management. There are no large hotel complexes or nightlife: hospitality relies mainly on small hotels, farm stays and mountain huts, in keeping with the territory's natural vocation. This is a deliberate choice rather than a shortfall, and those seeking authentic tourism away from the crowds will find Tambre an ideal base for exploring the Cansiglio and Alpago without giving up essential services.
Sport and activities all year round
Tambre offers activities for every season: cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter on the Pian Cansiglio, trekking and mountain biking on a dense network of forest trails in summer, plus a small local ski area suited to families and beginners. Nearby Lake Santa Croce adds water sports such as sailing and windsurfing, making the Alpago area one of the most versatile in the Belluno province for outdoor lovers year-round, without giving up a quiet, uncrowded setting.
Experiences not to miss
- Walk or cross-country ski across the Pian Cansiglio
- Explore the Cansiglio forest, the ancient 'Forest of the Doges'
- Sail or windsurf on Lake Santa Croce
- Go trekking or mountain biking on the Alpago's forest trails
- Watch the summer transhumance of herds on the plateau
Routes · Trovido Route
