Toprecommended route
Cycling itinerary in the DOC wine area of Colli Orientali del Friuli: a bucolic route through villages, vineyards, wineries, ancient abbeys, and food and wine specialties.
Itinerary
The itinerary develops among the hills of eastern Friuli. A relaxing ride offering panoramic views over vineyards and part of the Friulian plain. Along the route, you will find pleasant places to rest and make a cultural stop: you can admire the ancient Abbey of Rosazzo and in Buttrio the Villa Toppo Florio with its archeo-botanical park; the villa hosts the new museum of wine culture of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Finally, you arrive at Rocca Bernarda, a fortified 16th-century residence, now home to a winery.
Food & wine
Ribolla Gialla is a white grape variety that produces a fresh and mineral wine, to be tried still, sparkling, or even in the macerated version. A must-stop in the tavern to taste brovada and muset: a typical dish made with Brovada DOP, turnips fermented in grape marc, and muset, the Friulian cotechino made with the lean cuts of the pig's snout, from which it takes its name. RECOMMENDED DISH: Crostino with musetto
You can start cycling from several locations accessible by train (Buttrio, Manzano, and San Giovanni al Natisone).
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
The hilly route is almost entirely on secondary paved roads with little traffic. The route is doable all year round.
From Noax to Rocca Bernarda, there is a short downhill stretch with a 24% gradient.
Public-transport-friendly
Regional trains (Trenitalia) can carry bicycles along the Trieste - Udine - Venice route.
Highway A23 - Palmanova - Udine - Tarvisio - exit Udine South and follow signs for Buttrio or Manzano.
From Gorizia SR56
Near the railway stations.
Map "Pedemontana Cycle Path" FVG3 published by PromoTurismoFVG in collaboration with Casa Editrice Tabacco. The map is for sale at PromoTurismoFVG Infopoints for €2.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
