Nature at
its purest
Highlights
Via Alpina
Have a go at hiking a short way along the Via delle Alpi… a fantastic trail which, from Trieste, meanders its way right across the Alps, immersed in a unique setting of myriad
landscapes of chalets and pastures, refuges and charming hamlets. You will be enthralled by the kilometres of nature unfolding before your eyes across the striking Trieste Carso, and the majestic Julian and Carnic Alps, up to the glowing rose-coloured peaks of the Friulian dolomites.
riuli Venezia Giulia: a different way of experiencing the mountains. A more natural and direct approach that’s rewarding in every way: from nature to sports, to close contact with the local people, who are deeply tied to their traditions and extraordinarily hospitable. Our discovery starts with the land itself, varied and surprising because of the historical events that have marked it, and the point of encounter for Latin, Germanic and Slavic populations. Everything is close together and, above all, easy to reach. The motorway and railway take you into the very heart of the Alps. And our journey into wonderland begins. You’ll discover forests -some of the largest in Europe - as well as numerous parksand nature reserves populated by chamois, rock goats and birds of prey.
The last griffon vultures still live here undisturbed, majestically soaring the skies. Mountain pastures, protected areas, small mountain lakes, rock walls and wild forests are just a few of the wonders of the Friulian mountains. Those who love sports and
outdoor activitieswill enjoy unforgettable experiences, without any limits in terms of age or athletic aptitude: rock climbing; mountaineering; hang gliding, gliding and paragliding; golfing and fishing; canoeing and windsurfing on streams and crystal-clear lakes. The area offers a concentration of activities against a backdrop that mountain bikers, trekkers and horseback riders consider heaven on earth.
Up in the mountains, picturesque barns and enchanting shepherds’ hutsare connected by hiking trails that vary in difficulty. Surrounded by the lush flora of the Alps, they forge a link with neighbouring Carinthia.
You’ll feel completely at home among the genuine and unique people who live in towns that have been built around churches marked by simple charm and are surrounded by verdant meadows. The only thing interrupting this peaceful tableau is the extravaganza of the area’s array of traditional festivalsand folklore events that will fascinate you with their boisterous cheer.
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Authentic magic. Where large forests breathe, pearly lakes
repose, and impressive rock walls jut out. The perfect
environment for all outdoor sports. An environment warmed
by its people and by its villages nestling in enchanting
atmospheres. And animated by thousands of colourful festivals.
Mountains…
the way nature
created them
he enchanted world of the Friulian Alps is full of magic. Wherever you look, there are unexpected panoramas, trails to follow, and discoveries - great and small - that will surprise you.
From the 2251-metre vantage point of Mount Cavallo you can see the Dolomites, but off in the distance you can also glimpse the cobalt sea. The forests, filled with fossils and trees that are thousands of years old, are veritable historical monuments. The finest wood used by the Venetian Republic to build its fleets came from the woods of Carnia.
And Venzone, in the Alpine foothills, is not only a charming town but also a town boasting an ideal microclimate for balsamic lavender.
The myriad of hamlets dotting the gentle hills or perched on green slopes is the pride of the mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
On Mount Lussari, the village that is home to the sanctuary - which can be reached via the Pilgrim’s Trail - is an oasis of peacefulness with a spectacular view of the Julian Alps. Sauriswith its typical dwellings in wood and stone, Sutriowith its picturesque courtyards and woodworking shops, Raveowith the grassy plain of Valdie and the stavoli (shepherds’ huts) of the Pani basin: in these enchanting secluded hamlets, you can stay in charming traditional homes that are examples of spontaneous local architecture. You’ll enjoy a warm welcome wherever you go, but the area’s proverbial hospitality is
simply superb at refuges, often located high up in the mountains. They are the perfect milieu for reading or listening to a concert in the “Note in Rifugio” series.
After you have enjoyed the pleasures of culture and food, banter and rest, other adventures await you: on well-preserved hiking trails or the high roads of the
herdsmen, to taste delicious cheeses that are still produced using the very same methods that have been handed down for centuries.
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All the
enchantment of
a magical world
Highlights
The Parks
The Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti Friulane, with broad valleys surrounded by the ridges and towers of the Dolomites, is ideal for nature excursions and trekking. The Parco delle Prealpi Giulie, to the west, will thrill you with its roes, deer, woodchucks and foxes. The Visitors’ Centres of Forni di Sopra, Cimolais and Resia offer fascinating excursions in complete safety, accompanied by expert guides in order to discover this untamed world. The Parco Intercomunale delle Colline Carniche, characterised by sunny rolling hills and open vistas, is ideal for horseback trekking.
Wood and stone, in the houses of the authentic villages. Hands following the gestures
of traditional cheese-making in the malghe. Eyes buried in a book or absorbed in a
surreal sunset in refuges. Footsteps in timeless footprints, along ancient trails, perfect
for trekking today.
An oasis dedicated to the
mind and body in the Arta
spas, with treatments based
on water rich in sulphur
and pampering in the beauty
centres. And genuine dishes
to pamper the palate are
the main attractions at the
ancient festivals, alongside
farming rituals and crafts.
he mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia also mean health and wellness. Surrounded by a relaxing Alpine landscape, guests at Arta Termeenjoy the therapeutic effects of the mineral water of Fonte Pudia, springs that have been known and used since ancient times. The spa at Arta boasts large and relaxing areas for the most modern treatments. The array treatments with water rich in sulphur and in calcium and magnesium sulphates, as well as services offered by the kinesitherapy department, go hand in hand with facial/body and wellness packages. At the AquaDea beauty and wellness centre, Ayurvedic techniques and Oriental philosophies are combined with innovative spa products, allowing guests to achieve complete harmony of mind and body during their pampered and relaxing stay.
At Arta Terme, with its splendid mountain vistas, you’ll feel as if you’re poised between past and present along the ancient Via Julia
Augusta, following in the footsteps left by the Romans, barbarians and adventurers of all eras. This itinerary merges millenary traditions with pristine mountain landscapes that are just waiting to be discovered. In the Friulian Alps, agritourismsand inns offer delights and surprises that will appeal to even the most demanding palates. Different traditions and populations have helped created a cuisine that alternates hearty rural flavours with exquisite dishes worthy of the greatest gourmets.
The local delicacies alone map out a fascinating itinerary: prosciutto from Sauris, Carnia pork shank and cjarsons: these mouth-watering ravioli, filled with wild herbs, dried fruit and chocolate, were the delicious lunch of the Cramars, the peddlers who would cross the Alps on foot to sell their spices.
Folklore is yet another chapter introducing a unique facet of Friuli Venezia Giulia: festivals. The traditional celebrationsthat mark the passing of the seasons are celebrated everywhere: in the meadows during the hay season and when it’s time to migrate to mountain pastures, in quaint hamlets with historical and medieval commemorations, and in the courtyards of mountain villages during the numerous events dedicated to typical local products. In turn, these celebrations are tied to fine wines and spirits. For those who love a good glass of wine - or tajut, as they say in the Friulian language - Friuli Venezia Giulia offers Ramandolo, Merlot and Cabernet. And for those who love more potent flavours, there are excellent distillates, made by family-run companies that jealously guard their recipes and processes.
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Highlights
Personality in the kitchen
After a day spent outdoors along trails and mule tracks, why not give in to temptation with a steaming plate of polenta, accompanied by classic frico, the traditional dish served at local festivals? It is a potato-cheese torte with a crisp golden crust and luscious soft centre.
Well-being and
unique flavours
Highlights
Dog trekking and Nordic walking
The spectacular scenario of the Tarvisio forests is the backdrop for exhilarating guided trekking excursions in the company of playful sledge dogs. The vast mountain territory of the Julian Alps is also the perfect place for Nordic walking, an innovative hiking activity using poles and organised along breathtaking trails that are suitable for all ages and all levels of training.
A melting pot of Italian, Slovene and Austrian culture. A real natural paradise
with endless opportunities for excursions, horse riding, via ferratas and climbing.
Plus a fun adventure park and a beautifully kept golf course.
The Tarvisio
area: boundless
emotions
he best way to discover the most distinctive and unspoilt areas around Tarvisio is to follow in the footsteps of Julius Kugy, the mountaineer, poet, spelunker and botanist who discovered the beauty of the Julian Alps, Valsaisera and Valbruna in the early 1900s and sang the praises of these peaceful mountains and valleys. This natural paradise offers countless opportunities for excursionson foot or horseback, as well as “vie ferrate” and free climbing. Friulian climbers honed their skills in these extraordinary practice grounds. For example, Nives Meroi, one of the world’s top female climbers, trains here.
Top-quality offerings are also available for golf lovers, who can enjoy a few rounds on broad greens and amidst treacherous bunkers in the magnificent Julian Alps… and then head off to savour the pleasures of traditional
mountain cuisine.
The Tarzaning adventure parkat Sella Nevea has plenty of exciting activities in store for youngsters, in complete safety along routes suspended from trees. A land that brings together three languages and three peoples -Italian, Austrian and Slovenian - naturally reflects a complex culture. Stay at some of the area’s small family-run hotels. Their unique and simple approach - turning guests into friends - will draw you into the lifestyle, customs and language of small communities untouched by modernity.
The numerous museumsdevoted to arts and crafts have collected and preserved the area’s material culture like a treasure of memory and poetry: the Museo dell’Arrotino, in Val Resia, devoted to knife-grinders, evokes figures and words that have now disappeared, and the Permanent Exhibition of the Mining Tradition in Cave del Predil recounts the stories of the men who toiled in the depths of the earth.
Carnia: authentic
in every way
An ancient rhythm, in the wood of skilled artisans, in the clocks of
eighteenth-century tradition, in parish churches of timeless worship. From the highest village
in Friuli, Sauris, the home of a delicious cured ham, right down through valleys and
enchanting villages. In albergo diffuso hotels and refuges. Sbilfs and... Cossacks.
arnia is a territory where nature, tradition, sports and hospitality have come together to offer you a perfectly balanced holiday. The landscape is
unforgettable: small parishes, votive churches set at the foot of rugged mountains, Alpine hamlets with their charming buildings made of stone and wood, and crafts shops where trades that have disappeared elsewhere have been handed down for generations. Discovering Carnia’s ancient face is a fascinating experience.
It is a return to an ancient world that has survived in little village shops. In Sutrio, skilled woodworkerscreated veritable works of art whose delicacy and harmony will enchant you. Since the 18th century,
craftsmen from Val Pesarina have produced clockswith ingenious mechanisms that hark back to a Genoese pirate - Solari - who took refuge in these valleys, considered
inaccessible at the time.
This extraordinary cultural heritage is demonstrated by a network of museumsthat dot the territory and differ in both subject
and size, from the Museum of Popular Traditions and Arts in Tolmezzo to the “Mozartina”in Paularo, which displays antique and modern musical instruments that are perfectly functional.
Sauris-Zahre, the highest municipality in Friuli, is the homeland of a delicious type of smoked ham, and it still cherishes the Germanic traditions that have given the town its old-fashioned fairytale atmosphere. Carnia - like one big village - is the perfect place for marvellous excursions.
On foot or astride a mountain bike, you can take panoramic routes or follow ancient roads to discover archaeological sites. Or you can walk through the trenchesand visit the military posts of the Italian-Austrian front from the First World War. Wherever you go, you will meet the people of these valleys, and you’ll come to know and love their proud character and extraordinary hospitality. You can choose from a network of small family-run hotels, which will make you feel at home; or Lauco, Ovaro, Sutrio, Sauris e Comeglians you can try the unique
experience of alberghi diffusi, multi-building hotels that combine typical hotel services with the charm of staying in picturesque homes. Walking aficionados who want to hike along one of the 15 trails of the Via delle Malghecan stay at some of the small houses used by herdsmen or take advantage of the network of simple but cosy refuges.
In the evening, the people of Carnia will keep you company with their storytelling. There is the true story of the Cossacks of the Don, an entire population that, towards the end of the Second World War, arrived here from the steppe with horses, carts and camels. And there is the fantastic tale of the Sbilfs, the mischievous elves that live in the woods and only show their faces to those whose hearts are pure.
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Highlights
Forra del Vinadia
The canyon of the torrent Vinadia is a miraculous gift of nature. Formed by
thousands of years of erosion, it offers experts an itinerary of waterfalls, small lakes and impressive walls that, at some points, are so close together that they block out the sky.
Gentle white storks and majestic griffons. Butterflies brightly
colouring meadows and walls. Bonfires for predicting the
future and mediaeval reenactments. And why not visit the
caves filled with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites.
Including the largest tourist cave in the world.
he Alpine foothills, which boast a delightful variety of landscapes, are the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy a natural pace, in touch with a farming culture that is still very much a part of everyday life.
On the walls of Bordano, the town of butterflies set in a kaleidoscope of green, street artists have recreated the lively colours of the thousands of butterflies that populate the sweeping meadows. Every year, Tarcento relives the tradition of the Venerable Old Man, a storytelling sage who predicts the prosperity of the harvest by observing the pignarui, the bonfires of the Epiphany. In the ancient mediaeval hamlet of Gemona, the atmosphere of yesterday comes back to life with a procession of men and women in lavish costumes.
The nature trails are also full of surprises, revealing hidden chapters of the local history. The Quadris natural oases in Fagagna and the nature reserve of Cornino offer a unique opportunity to observe white storksand griffon vultures nesting in their natural habitat. The area’s extraordinarily rich
flora yields exquisite herbal remedies and lends an unusual
touch to the simple traditional cuisine.
The caves in the area once offered shelter to the wayfarers who journeyed through these lands during the Roman era and the Middle Ages.
Visit the Giant Cavein the mountains of the Carso area near Trieste, one of the largest caverns in the world that is open to tourists; the Villanova Caves, filled with stalactites and stalagmites along its countless tunnels and passages; and the Cave of San Giovanni d’Antro, with its wealth of evidence left behind by the people who lived there during the Neolithic period.
The Carsois also the perfect place for free climbing. Some of Italy’s best climbers have trained on its dramatic cliffs over the sea. Rock gyms and expert instructors will help you learn an art that strengthens muscles and frees the mind.
Last but not least is gubana from the Natisone valleys : be sure to try this round delicacy filled with dried fruit and nuts. This cake - the ancient symbol of
abundance - is traditionally enjoyed with family and friends.
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The Alpine
foothills and the
Carso: history
and nature
Highlights
The Butterfly House
Near Bordano, the interior of the “Casa delle Farfalle” (the Butterfly House) reproduces breathtaking exotic gardens, where, day after day, more than 400 of the world’s most beautiful butterflies court each other, feed on blossoms and reproduce.
he area of Piancavallo has developed a strong vocation for sports: modern ski resorts, riding schoolsand climbing wallsawait you, to offer you all the sports you love. These ancient mountains are young in spirit and boast state-of-the-art facilities for all kinds of activities. Castaldia, at an altitude of 1108 metres above sea level, is a mecca for those who want to soar through the clouds on a paraglider.
For those who love water and exciting sports like canoeingand kayaking, sailingand windsurfing, there is nothing better than Lake Barcis or the three lakes in Val Tramontina, by the Meduna torrent. Caves, ravines and limestone gorges formed by the slow and constant erosion of the torrent characterise the Green Caves of Pradis. Forra del Cellina, another spectacular gorge created by erosion, offers one of the most extraordinary
landscapes of the entire Alpine arch. For mountain bikers, there are over 30 trails that cater to experts as well as those who simply want to enjoy some relaxing fun. At the end of each itinerary, you can explore towns and villages, some of which have just a handful of houses: places far from the rest of the world, with a cosy inn that seems to be there just for you.
A holiday in the Friulian Alps is something rare: a holiday of discovery and memory. It is the discovery of traditions that are still alive, and the memory of a civilisation preserved in numerous museums of art and rural culture.
In the hamlets of Frisanco and Poffabro, you’ll come across typical buildings made of wood and stone, with lattice balconies overlooking cobbled streets. Erto and Casso, examples of the area’s spontaneous
architecture, vividly recall the Vajontdisaster of 1963, when the part of the mountain collapsed into the hydroelectric dam and the water from the reservoir washed two towns away forever. The unfolding of this tragedy is illustrated in the permanent exhibition at the Visitors’ Centre of the Parco delle Dolomiti Friulane.
The park, which is the largest in the region, lies between the Tagliamento and Piave rivers. It also organises environmental education and nature learning activities. At Andreis, the rescue centre for birds of prey is open to visitors; the centre studies and treats wounded predators and then sets them free again.
