DESTINATIONS
Friuli – Venezia Giulia
GALLERY
ROUTES
Tribil di Sopra / Gorenji Tarbij
LENGTH
37 km
Ascent
860 m
Descent
860 m
paved
68 %
unpaved
32 %
TRAIL TYPE
local
DIFFICULTY
medium
ACTIVITY
mountain biking
Description
Churches of the Natisone / Nadiža Valleys
A diverse circular route guides you past numerous churches, which once used to serve to the locals also for informing about dangers. A lot of sacral objects invite you to visit them and when meeting the locals you will be fascinated by a special melody of their Slovenian dialect. As it looks that the time in these valleys runs more slowly, it is appropriate to stop in one of the inns, where they offer special home-made dishes, where the Slovenian, Friulian, Italian and Central European culinary traditions intertwine. Today, the Natisone / Nadiža Valleys represent something special and surprise you with many things.
Start the circle in the vicinity of San Pietro / Špeter, a centre of Natisone / Nadiža Valley, in the hamlet San Leonardo / Podutana, along the Cosizza / Kozca River with macadam ascent passing by the first church through the settlement Picon / Pikon and further on the tarmac road, which leads to Castelmonte / Stara Gora. This is a goal of numerous pilgrims and offers a view of the Friulian lowland, the Natisone / Nadiža Valley and Slovenia. Continue on a panoramic tarmac road, which winds on a ridge with small ascents and descents, along the ridge, and take a ride to the next two churches, the second one, i.e. the Church of San Giovanni / Sveti Ivan reigns on a rock above the Iudrio / Idrija Valley. You arrive to the highest point of Tribil di Sopra / Gorenji Tarbij on the line of trench warfare of the World War I from Kolovrat to Castelmonte / Stara Gora. Descent takes place along the crest on the other side of the Erbezzo / Arbeč River through the hamlets Oblizza / Oblica and Cravero /Kravar. While descending in the valley, visit a deserted church of San Andrea / Sveti Andrej on the hill above the Cosizza / Kozca River.
Carlino Ciclismo
LENGTH
38.4 km
Ascent
123 m
Descent
127 m
paved
45 %
unpaved
55 %
TRAIL TYPE
local
DIFFICULTY
EASY
ACTIVITY
ROAD CYCLING
Description
Carlino Ciclismo
The cycling route from Carlino to the Cormor River is a short and scenic journey through the Friulian countryside. Starting near the Church of San Domenico, the route passes fields, hedgerows, and a rare lowland forest before reaching the Cormor River and its biodiverse wetlands.
A highlight is the Ca’ del Lovo natural area, known for its peaceful fishing valleys, reed beds, and rich birdlife, including flamingos at certain times of the year. The return to Carlino follows quiet country roads, completing a relaxing loop that combines nature, water, and local history.
Ariis–Sterpo–Flambruzzo–Ariis
LENGTH
14.1 km
Ascent
63 m
Descent
63 m
paved
60 %
unpaved
40 %
TRAIL TYPE
local
DIFFICULTY
easy
ACTIVITY
Gravel
Description
Ariis–Sterpo–Flambruzzo–Ariis
The Ariis–Sterpo–Flambruzzo–Ariis cycling route is a 13.4 km circular route with approximately 59 metres of elevation gain and 59 metres of descent. Thanks to its almost entirely flat terrain and a maximum gradient of around 1.5%, the route is easy and suitable for recreational cyclists as well as families accustomed to cycling on unpaved surfaces.
The route combines paved and unpaved surfaces. Approximately 60% of the route is paved, while 40% follows unpaved or gravel roads. Thanks to the varied terrain, the route is particularly suitable for gravel, trekking and mountain bikes, and can also be comfortably ridden on an e-bike.
The route winds through the characteristic lowland landscape of Friuli Venezia Giulia, an area defined by numerous water sources, green spaces, lowland forests, and a rich historical and cultural heritage.
In Ariis, cyclists can visit the Regional Aquarium, dedicated to the river ecosystems and animal species inhabiting Friuli’s waterways. Nearby stands Villa Otellio Savorgnan, a historic residence surrounded by greenery. Another distinctive feature of the area is the lowland forest, a rare example of preserved lowland woodland, where dense vegetation provides pleasant shade and an opportunity to experience the characteristic natural environment of this part of Friuli.
On the way towards Sterpo, the landscape opens onto an area characterised by natural groundwater springs known as “risorgive”, where underground water emerges at the surface and feeds numerous streams and other waterways. The clear water and lush vegetation create a distinctive landscape. The route also passes Sterpo Castle, which can only be viewed from the outside and is an interesting example of rural noble architecture.
In Flambruzzo, one of the main landmarks is Savorgnan Castle, surrounded by a picturesque natural setting. Nearby lies the “Regina del Bosco” natural area, rich in biodiversity, where woodland, water and peaceful countryside create one of the most attractive sections of the entire cycling route.
Along the route, cyclists can find equipped rest areas, bars, agritourism facilities, traditional restaurants, drinking fountains and B&B accommodation. Thanks to its short distance, minimal elevation gain and combination of natural and cultural attractions, the route is ideal for a relaxed cycling excursion and for exploring the countryside of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Cividale del Friuli / Čedad, Dolegna del Collio / Dolenje direction
LENGTH
26 km
Ascent
390 m
Descent
390 m
paved
98 %
unpaved
2 %
TRAIL TYPE
local
DIFFICULTY
easy
ACTIVITY
road
family cycling
Description
On the hills with the wine roads along the border river Iudrio / Idrija
While cycling along the wine roads around Prepott0 / Prapotno, where the indigenous vines, such as Friulano and Refosco dal Peduncolo rosso, grow, you can follow a terrace-formed hill with vineyards with your sight, but you must get your teeth into a slope for a few times. Start towards south in direction of the wine town Corno di Rosazzo along the road with the houses, which takes you from the centre towards meadows and fields, and enter Gagliano with the Roman and Lombard’s remains. Turn left through the typical rural landscape and then turn right from the main road for Prepotto / Prapotno, where the path continues along the high tracts of Spessa past renowned wine growers and takes you to the park Bosco Romagno. The name of the park, full of numerous tree species, is of Lombard origin. Then the route rises up to Craoreto / Kravoret and down goes down to Dolegna del Collio / Dolenje, after crossing the border river Iudrio / Idrija, which flows underneath Kolovrat. Taking a steep ascend to the group of houses with the name Restocina / Raztočno from Dolegna / Dolenje, which is located on the road of wine and flavours as well as wine and cherries. From there you continue downwards to Mernicco / Mernik and then through Albana / Ibana di Prepotto / Prapotno. On this route you come across another bridge over Iudrio / Idrija named Ponte dello Schioppettino, which got its name after equally named indigenous vine with black berries, which provide for the special elegance and gentleness of the red wines from Prepotto / Prapotno. Continue cycling from Albana / Ibana over a hill passing the hamlet Cialla / Čela and reaching the wine-growing slopes of Montebello and Fornalis at the south-eastern edge of Cividale del Friuli / Čedad. Enter Cividale / Čedad after passing by the hamlet Fornalis from the eastern part at the exit for Castelmonte / Stara Gora.
Cividale del Friuli / Čedad, Corno direction
LENGTH
23 km
Ascent
170 m
Descent
170 m
paved
80 %
unpaved
20 %
TRAIL TYPE
local
DIFFICULTY
easy
ACTIVITY
gravel
family cycling
Description
On the lowland past the vineyards
Wine cycling route takes you to the lowland parts around the castle and wine cellar Rocca Bernarda, which together with the abbey in Rosazzo reign on a wine-growing hill, in the south of Cividale del Friuli / Čedad. Cycle in direction towards Trieste / Trst, first through the settlement Rualis, and then, at the southern end of the settlement Gagliano, turn right across the fields towards Firman. You can admire a typical countryside with the cereal fields and plain vineyards, and cycle right by the Natisone / Nadiža River on the left bank. Get closer to the hamlet Ipplis, going through the hamlet Casali Potocco, and stay on the left further on to Azzano until reaching the last houses of Oleisa, which got its name due to olive plantations. Here you turn east and go up towards the abbey Rosazzo. This place is special due to views of the winegrowing surroundings of the eastern Friulian and Collio / Goriška brda hills. Rosazzo tourist-cycling route continues downwards along magnificent hills of Rosazzo, with the look determined by plantations of the vines, fruit trees, olive trees and cereals towards Spessa. Only a few steps away, the Castle of Rocca Bernarda can be seen, which at the beginning was subordinate to the Patriarchate of Aquileia, later on given to Cividale del Friuli / Čedad and now owned by the Order of the Knights of Malta, where they produce a renowned wine Picolit. If you follow the mentioned tourist-cycling route Rosazzo from Noax and you are ready to ascend on the top of the hills, you can also visit it by bike. After passing the hamlet Spessa, return to the starting point through Gagliano.