Friuli Venezia Giulia is a destination for cycling tourism all year round. Its geographical position and its cycle paths make it a unique destination, between the Alps and the Adriatic. As well as the numerous environmental contexts: woods and imposing mountain peaks, legendary climbs, tranquil lagoons and cliffs along the coast that create incredible landscapes.
In the heart of the region, the great Tagliamento river offers a unique natural spectacle, while the vineyard hills produce some of the best white wines in the region. Visitors can explore rural villages and small historic towns, immersing themselves in local culture, traditions and regional food and wine delicacies.
The cycle paths of Friuli Venezia Giulia
There are ten regional cycle routes in Friuli Venezia Giulia5 of which are passable and fully mapped, accompanied by numerous cycle paths and dirt roads, suitable for the different bikes and needs of travellers.
The cycle routes, each with its own peculiarities and characteristics, allow you to explore the region combining breathtaking landscapes, culture, food and wine and entertainment.
Tagliamento cycle path (FVG6)
An ideal journey to get to know Friuli Venezia Giulia is the one you can undertake following the course of the Tagliamento riverthe last great “natural” river in Europe.
The long route the FVG6 cycle route begins in the alpine town of Tolmezzo and then runs along the right bank of the so-called King of Alpine rivers Carnic Alps up to the sea Adriatic. If you decide to reach the starting point by train, you can start cycling from there Venzone, one of the most beautiful villages in Italyor from Gemona of Friuli not far away and also served by a railway station.
Along the way you come across a rich variety of landscapes crossed by 146 km of cycle paths, low-traffic roads and good dirt roads like those in the final part of the itinerary, on the river bank.
Among the unmissable stops, the city of a thousand colours, Spilimbergo, so-called due to the presence of the Mosaic School of Friuli. Or Valvasone with its castle (Most Beautiful Village in Italy) and San Vito al Tagliamentoa medieval town with Venetian atmospheres.
The return journey
The ride ends in Lignano Sabbiadoro, a seaside resort where you can relax your muscles before embarking, for those who wish, on the return journey. Riding the bicycle we proceed along the left bank of the Tagliamento river (FVG 6/a variant) for approximately 142 km, which are reduced if the destination is Venzone or Gemona del Friuli.
On this route, the kilometers on dirt roads are greater than those on the right bank of the river. Here you come across many small towns with typical rural architecture embellished with river stones.
The recommended stops are Codroipowhere to visit Villa Manin – majestic Venetian villa – e San Daniele del Friulia place famous for the raw ham of the same name and for the presence of one of the oldest public libraries in Italy.
Before arriving in Gemona del Friuli you cycle through the Bars springs, in Osoppoa natural area where numerous species of orchids grow spontaneously in spring.
Alpe Adria cycle path (FVG1)
Queen of the regional cycle routes is the Alpe Adria Cycle Route (FVG 1)one of the most awarded itineraries in Europe, which crosses the region from the mountains to the lagoon, crossing its history, culture and traditions.
It is a cross-border route that connects Salzburg to Grado. In 415 km it crosses the border of the Alps and reaches the Adriatic through breathtaking landscapes and places full of history. Among these, the UNESCO sites of Palmanova and Aquileiathe most beautiful villages in Italy by Venzone and Strassoldo and the city of Udinecradle of Tiepolo’s treasures.
The Alpe Adria Cycle Route is a true concentration of Friuli Venezia Giulia, where the proximity to other countries has given the territory a international vocationwhich you can breathe pedal after pedal.
The stages in Friuli Venezia Giulia of the FVG1 are Tarvisio – Venzone – Udine – Grado: 175 km of satisfaction for two-wheel lovers. The Alpe Adria Cycle Route can be cycled all year round from Venzone or Gemona del Friuli, which can be easily reached by train. The route over the Alps from Tarvisio to Venzone, however, can be done approximately from April to October.
The other cycle routes
Among the other cycle routes that can be used in the Region, we also highlight the Pedemontana cycle route (FVG 3) which runs at the foot of the Pre-Alps. Here they cross each other the wine-growing areas from which the renowned wines are born of Friuli Venezia Giulia: from the Grave territory to the DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli and Collio. The route, which begins in Sacile, has little difference in altitude and is made up of cycle paths, easy dirt roads and limited traffic roads.
Near Aquileiainstead, it crosses the Adriatic Sea Cycle Route (FVG2) which connects Trieste to Venice. The route corresponds to two other European cycle routes: Eurovelo 8 Ciclovia del Mediterraneo and the AdriaBike, which starts from Slovenia (Kraniska Gora) and goes down to Gorizia.
The routes around the cycle paths
About twenty routes start from each cycle route circular or linear that allow you to discover the surroundings with their villages, parks and naturalistic areas.
Some of these routes give the possibility of moving from one cycle path to another. For example, from the left bank of the Tagliamento cycle path you take the San Daniele-Udine route and you reach the Alpe Adria Cycle Route (FVG1). With the Udine-Cividale route instead you reach the Pedemontana Cycle Route (FVG3).
All these routes are traced and described on the website www.turismofvg.it/it/bike where there are also thelist of bicycle rental companies, workshops and those offering shuttle services.
Intermodality: sustainability in traveling across the territory
On the same site you can also find the information and timetables of the bike-train, bike-bus and bike-boat services. Intermodality is in fact very supported in the Region and cycle tourists are offered the possibility of traveling with their own bike on public transport.
During the whole year, Trenitalia regional trains have reserved places for the transport of bicycles. The same happens along the Udine-Cividale railway service It is on Micotra, the train that connects Udine to Villach in Austria twice a day and also Trieste – Villach on Saturdays and Sundays. Both services are managed by the operator Ferrovie Udine-Cividale.
In the summer season the offer expands. In fact, the BICIBUS and BICI+BOAT services are activated, which connect the seaside resorts of Grado and Lignano Sabbiadoro to Trieste, Aquileia, Muggia, Marano Lagunare. Lignano is connected to Bibione by the boat pass on the Tagliamento river.
Cover photo credits: ph. N. Brollo (Fin. from the EU, from the ERDF and Interreg VA Italy-Austria fund)
[Contenuto realizzato in collaborazione con PromoTurismoFVG]
