Mountains, sea, rivers, history, and food and wine. Friuli Venezia Giulia It's a true playground for two-wheelers, for those who want to discover a unique territory at the slow pace of a bike. Cycling here is an immersive experience that ranges between sea and mountains up to the border with Slovenia.A place to organize your riding holiday with friends or family.
An example? La Tagliamento cycle path FVG6 defined as the king of the European Alpine rivers, from Tolmezzo in the Carnic Alps to its mouth in the Adriatic Sea at Lignano Sabbiadoro. Or for the more trained, it will be enough go to the crossroads of the cycle paths in Gemona del Friuli and take the great FVG ring: Gemona, San Daniele del Friuli, Lignano, Grado, Udine, Gemona del Friuli.
Cycle path of colors
For those who love cycling from the mountains to the sea, parallel to the now well-known Alpe Adria cycle path that connects Salzburg to Grado, here is the Tagliamento FVG6 cycle path: also known as the cycle path of coloursThose of the water of the Tagliamento, of the nature present in the riverbed, of the frescoes and mosaics present in the villages you pass through.
The route starts in Tolmezzo and winds along the right bank of the river crossing Venzone (the most beautiful village in Italy), Gemona del Friuli, Spilimbergo, the city of mosaics, Valvasone (the most beautiful village in Italy), San Vito al Tagliamento, Latisana and Lignano Sabbiadoro. The itinerary is spread over 142 kilometers It winds along bike paths, mixed-use roads, and dirt roads, particularly after San Vito al Tagliamento, where you cycle along the riverbank. Along the route, there are scenic viewpoints where you can admire the river in all its beauty and enjoy some well-deserved rest.
Left bank
For those who wish to discover the villages and landscapes of the left bank of the Tagliamento River, there is another itinerary. You can, in fact, return to Tolmezzo by cycling along the variant of the Tagliamento cycle path (FVG 6/a) Heading north, passing through Latisana, Codroipo (not far from the cycle path is Villa Manin, the summer residence of the last Doge of the Venetian Republic), San Daniele del Friuli, a town known for its renowned prosciutto crudo. Also worth a visit are Osoppo, with its fort and wild orchid park, Venzone, and Tolmezzo.
Those who follow this variant have the opportunity to try, near San Daniele del Friuli, the climb to Mount Ragogna, one of the arrivals of a stage of the Tour of Italy with breathtaking views of the Tagliamento River. Speaking of the Corsa Rosa, it's almost time for it to pass through the roads of Alto Friuli. The 24th of May will see the Mortegliano – Sappada, 19th stage which will bring this wonderful territory to the attention of the international spotlight.
Gemona
There is a place where you can three cycle paths intersect: it is called Gemona del Friuli. Here, cyclists who wish to do so have the opportunity to plan their own rides by combining different routes to discover different landscapes. Like the FVG1 Alpe Adria cycle path from Salzburg or in Italy from Tarvisio to Grado, the FVG3 Pedemontana cycle path from Sacile to Gorizia and obviously the FVG6.
Gemona del Friuli is therefore a strategic location for the most trained cyclists Those who want to get a taste of the Friuli Venezia Giulia landscapes by following a loop that takes in villages, protected nature reserves, cities, seaside towns, and UNESCO sites. It also showcases the many producers of this region's gastronomic specialties: from wine to cheese, cured meats, olive oil, and much more.
Crossroads and tastings
The ring starts in Gemona del Friuli (railway stations on the Trenitalia Udine-Tarvisio line) and You cycle along the Pedemontana FVG3 cycle path to Pinzano and then the Tagliamento FVG6 cycle path (right bank of the Tagliamento River) up to Lignano Sabbiadoro through Spilimbergo, Valvasone and San Vito al Tagliamento.
Alternatively, you start in Gemona and cycle along the Tagliamento FVG 6/a cycle path (left bank of the river) to Lignano Sabbiadoro, passing through San Daniele del Friuli. After a long tasting of the delicious San Daniele raw ham, continue to Codroipo and reach Lignano Sabbiadoro. From here, cycle along the FVG2 Adriatic Sea cycle path to Grado, passing through Marano Lagunare. Once you reach the sunny island, you take the section of the FVG1 Alpe Adria cycle path again (you already cycled on the outward journey from Cervignano del Friuli to Grado because the section coincides with the FVG2) to Udine, passing through the two UNESCO sites of Aquileia and Palmanova.
In Udine we continue along the short stretch of the Pianure FVG4 cycle path until you reach the Pedemontana FVG3 cycle path and cycle along the vineyards of the Colli Orientali del Friuli to Gemona, passing through Tarcento. Alternatively, from Udine, you can stay on the Alpe Adria FVG1 cycle path and cycle directly to Gemona del Friuli. 250 km for a great 6 or 7 day ride based on your travel style.
