Friuli loop

Welcome to the capital of the Friuli-Venice-Giulia region! Experience the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy your first evening in ‚Bella Italia‘.

Joining the renowned Alpe-Adria cycle route, you leave the city and pedal north for the first kilometres. The impressive mountain ranges of the Carnic Alps reign over the gently rolling countryside, with wonderful panoramas opening on all sides.  From the Castello di Colloredo di Monte Albano, enjoy a breathtaking view over the lowlands, before cycling further through the medieval town of Fagagna. In Daniele del Friuli, famous for the ham, you will be amazed by the imposing cathedral and bell tower in the picturesque old town.

After breakfast, leave the hilltop town and head towards the Tagliamento river. This alpine river, shimmering in all possible colours, forms a unique landscape with poplars, alders and willows. At a narrow point, you cross it over on an impressive bridge before you take a break in the beautiful old town of Spilimbergo, the city of mosaic arts. The route continues leisurely further through typical Italian villages to Codroipo.

Directly outside the town of Codroipo, marvel at Villa Manin, the summer residence of the last Venetian Doge, before heading through the countryside and along the Tagliamentos riverside cycle path towards the coast. In Latisana, founded in Roman times, with its large number of sacred buildings, you can already smell the sea. A few kilometres further on, you can gaze upon the view of the lagoon. In Marano Lagunare, stroll through the small streets of the picturesque old town in the evening. Occasionally an overnight stay in Lignano is also possible.

Cycling along the lagoon, you will reach Cervignano del Fruili and on to Aquileia, known for its medieval basilica and Roman archaeological site – designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. After exploring here, you cycle on the Alpe-Adria cycle route to the offshore island and the lagoon city of Grado. Enjoy a swim in the Adriatic Sea and find dinner among the winding streets of the old town.

You leave Grado along the lagoon and cycle through a protected landscape by the sea. Observe the rich bird-life and feel the sea breeze before heading back inland. Near the Slovenian border, you will stay overnight in the historical town of Gradisca d'Isonzo. Stroll through the city streets, home to 6,000 inhabitants, (it is a member of the "I borghi più belli d'Italia", the most beautiful villages in Italy), and end the evening comfortably with a glass of wine in a restaurant.

The border with Slovenia is getting closer and closer as you cycle north; the vineyards of the famous Collio area are getting bigger and bigger, as are your eyes, because these vineyard-covered hills seem like something out of a picture book! Take the opportunity to taste the wine produced here directly at a winemaker. There are plenty of wonderful places to stop here. Before returning to the starting point in Udine, you should plan a stop in Cividale del Fruili. Stroll through the narrow streets, take a picture of the Devil's Bridge and take a look inside the cathedral. There is a lot to discover!