Pedemontana and Collio cycle path (FVG 3)

The Pedemontana and Collio cycle path runs at the foot of theAlps connecting the town of Gorizia with the village of Caneva, on the border with Veneto region. We start riding from Gorizia, a border town from which some cycling itineraries depart that enter the Slovenian territory, continuing to pedal towards the Veneto through some centers of considerable historical and tourist importance: among these I mention Cormons, Cividale del Friuli, Gemona del Friuli , Maniago, Aviano and Polcenigo.

Group of cyclists in the Preval plain
Group of cyclists in the Preval plain

The first part of the route, from Gorizia to Cormons, is quite confused: there are no signposts either in Gorizia or in Cormons while in the intermediate area (Preval area) and in the valley that goes up the Judrio stream, almost every secondary road is marked with a sign bearing the initials "FVG 3". This is a pity as the hilly area in question is so beautiful; no coincidence this area is often compared to the famous landscapes of Tuscany.

The cycle path on the Collio hills
The cycle path on the Collio hills

Beyond Cormons, once you enter the province of Udine, the cycle path is well signed (although many signs are discolored) and allow you to reach Cividale del Friuli, a UNESCO heritage city, crossing the beautiful countryside of the Friuli plain and with beautiful views of the gorge. of the Natisone river. In Cividale the Pedemontana and Collio Cycle Path crosses the Friulian Plain Cycle Path (FVG 4).

Cycling around Cormons
Cycling around Cormons

There is no reference to the FVG 3 cycle path in the stretch that, beyond the municipal territory of Cividale, should head towards Gemona del Friuli. There is no trace of signs in the municipalities of Povoletto, Nimis and Tarcento. In Artegna, the FVG 3 signs have recently been placed on the new cycle path built on a section of the former Pontebbana railway but this cycle path ends at the railway bridge over the Orvenco stream and from here it is possible to continue towards Gemona following some local cycle paths.

The cycle path passes through the UNESCO site of Cividale
The cycle path passes through the UNESCO site of Cividale

From Gemona, right in correspondence with our Alpe Adria cycle path (FVG 1), the official signposting that leads to Trasaghis finally begins, crossing the Tagliamento on the famous “Ponte di Braulins”. We then proceed on the panoramic "Strada di Bottecchia" which takes cyclists to the enchanted Cornino lake with its griffins.

Group of cyclists in the Pordenone area
Group of cyclists in the Pordenone area

Once we have entered the province of Pordenone in Pinzano, we start pedaling on the historic part of the cycle path, fully tabulated. The route is very beautiful and evocative: running along cycle paths and secondary roads, it proceeds through woods, meadows and countryside. You will pass through characteristic villages such as Travesio, Maniago, Montereale in Valcellina, Aviano and Polcenigo where the Livenza cycle path (FVG 7) begins.

Signposts near Budoia
Signposts near Budoia

The Pedemontana cycle path ends in the municipality of Caneva, at Villa di Villa, where the connection with the cycling network of the Veneto region is foreseen.

Cyclist rides on the cycle path of the foothills
Cyclist rides on the cycle path of the foothills

Finally, I would like to point out the official website of the Pedemontana and Collio Cycle Path where you will find more information and updates on this suggestive cycle path: http://ciclabilefvg3.altervista.org/