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The Doberdò and Pietrarossa Lakes Nature Reserve Loop Trail


Hiking trail recommended route Hiking trail  · Doberdò del Lago
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Friuli Venezia Giulia
  • Photo: PromoTurismoFVG Storia, Friuli Venezia Giulia

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    A perfect walk for nature lovers that takes hikers to enjoy the beauty of the Karst landscape and the unique and varied lake environment.
    moderate
    Distance 11.2 km
    4:00 h
    288 m
    289 m
    160 m
    5 m
    What makes the Doberdò and Pietrarossa Lakes Nature Reserve so truly remarkable is that it is characterised by two large depressions, partially filled with lakes and separated by a limestone ridge. Lake Doberdò is one of the few examples in Europe of a karstic lake-pond. Its water level changes constantly depending on the flow of the Vipacco and Isonzo rivers. Hikers will therefore have the opportunity to experience an area that features ever-changing views of the natural landscape over the course of the year, which makes it ideal for more than one visit. Along the route, it is also possible to recognise the remains of trenches dating back to the period of the Great War, which, together with the information panels along the route, will provide a unique insight into local history as well as the pleasure of walking through nature. 

    Author’s recommendation

    Visits are recommended, especially in the autumn period when the foliage creates a spectacular landscape.
    Profile picture of PromoTurismoFVG Storia
    Author
    PromoTurismoFVG Storia
    Logo Friuli Venezia Giulia
    Responsible for this content
    Friuli Venezia Giulia 
    Difficulty
    T2 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    160 m
    Lowest point
    5 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
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    Track types

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    Rest stops

    Podere Marcello

    Safety information

    Pay attention to your safety on some exposed parts of the path. There are also some sections that are slippery and other sections that have uneven steps.

    Roadbook

    The starting point for this itinerary is the Gradina Visitor Centre, just outside the village of Doberdò. The route continues along the dirt track that passes just outside the settlement at CAI markers 77-78. Walk a few hundred metres to reach the site of the old Solvay quarry. Continue along the road, which soon becomes an exposed and rocky path on the slopes of the Colle Nero (Black Hill), with a wonderful view of the lake. Once you have reached the "Casa Cadorna" refuge at 118 metres above sea level, turn right along CAI Trail No. 72 and undertake the rather steep descent towards the lake plain. Walk until you cross the Municipal road that connects Doberdò with Regional Road SR55, descending once again to the trail that skirts the lake.

    From here, turn left past a panoramic jetty and continue along the path, which is paved in parts. The path runs along the lake until it reaches the Municipal road that links Doberdò to the village of Jamiano.  Follow this road for a few metres to the right and then take CAI Trail No. 81 on the left, which runs past Lake Pietrarossa to its Visitor Centre, which is equipped with an open-air rest area with benches. The itinerary continues to a crossroads where CAI Trail No. 82 is taken to the right. The path climbs slightly through a typical Karst natural environment until it reaches an open space with a crossroads of trails, where it continues along CAI Trail No. 72, which leads back to the Casa Cadorna site. After a few climbs and descents, the itinerary rejoins the Doberdò-Jamano road. Cross it and follow the CAI signposts for Casa Cadorna.

    From here it is only a short distance to the western shore of Lake Doberdò, where its source and springs are located.

    Turn slightly right and then immediately left. This is where the climb up to Casa Cadorna begins, crossing the Municipal road again. Continue uphill until you reach the shelter. Continue to the rear of the building where there is a short tunnel and a number of military emplacements dating from the First World War. Turning back to the right, you climb a rocky staircase with handrail cables that leads back along the ridge of the Colle Nero. This path runs parallel to the one you took on the way up, which you follow straight on until you reach the dirt road which, if you turn left, will take you back to the starting point in just a few minutes.

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    Lago di Doberdò
    Podere Marcello

    Parking

    Parking areas at the Gradina Visitor Centre.

    Coordinates

    DD
    45.841592, 13.548159
    DMS
    45°50'29.7"N 13°32'53.4"E
    UTM
    33T 387260 5077472
    w3w 
    ///flatland.aunts.inhabiting
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Sturdy footwear (for gravel roads), long trousers, a good water supply, packed food and trekking poles. 

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     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    T2 moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    11.2 km
    Duration
    4:00 h
    Ascent
    288 m
    Descent
    289 m
    Highest point
    160 m
    Lowest point
    5 m
    Round trip Scenic Cultural/historical interest Flora Geological highlights Insider tip Summit route Dog-friendly

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