The first part of the Italian route of the Alpe Adria Cycle Route crosses the Alps almost entirely following the route of the old Pontebbana railway, which for some years has been transformed into a spectacular cycle path and marked with the initials FVG 1. From the state border, the cycle route continues uphill, overcoming the town of Tarvisio until you reach the Sella di Camporosso. From here the cycle path almost always continues downhill following the course of the Fella river. You cycle through a valley dotted with delightful alpine villages until you reach Pontebba, which for centuries represented the border between Italy and Austria.
Immediately after Pontebba begins what is perhaps the most spectacular stretch of the entire Alpe Adria cycle route: the cycle path runs through the narrow valley carved by the Fella river, passing over dozens of bridges, viaducts and tunnels built in the late 1800s. Unfortunately, this spectacular cycle path stops abruptly at Moggio Udinese. From here you have to cycle for about ten kilometers along the busy state road to the wonderful medieval village of Venzone.
From Venzone you can reach the outskirts of Gemona by cycling on some sections of the old Pontebbana railway. Beyond Osoppo, the cycle path crosses the Tagliamento River Natural Park and continues towards the town of Buja. If up to here the territory is flat, the stretch in front of us foresees to overcome some climbs: to get to Udine we have to overcome the three circles of morainic hills left by the Tagliamento glacier during the last glacial period. Finally, we enter Udine, the capital city of Friuli characterized by a beautiful historic center.
In the last stage you cross the plain to reach the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. The route runs along secondary roads and some cycle paths passing through numerous agricultural villages often characterized by elegant Venetian villas. During the ride you will cross the fortified city of Palmanova, the castles of Strassoldo and Aquileia, an ancient Roman city and for many centuries the seat of the Patriarchate. The last stretch of the route that leads to the island of Grado is spectacular as the cycle path crosses the lagoon on an embankment.