Page 110 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

108 BACK ROADS NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY

1 Laghi di Fusine ª Take the SS13 in the direction of
Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia; 33018 Udine, and turn left onto Via Saisera
The two lakes of Fusine, the Lago and follow signs for Valbruna.
Inferiore and the Lago Superiore,
occupy a glacial basin set amid dense 3 Valbruna
forests of red fir trees, framed by Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia; 33010
curving hills and a crown of Alpine This delightful Alpine hamlet in the
summits. The colours of the mirror- Val Canale opens on to a beautiful
like surfaces of the lakes vary, as the world of mountain meadows and
seasons and light change. And in forests – habitats for roe deer and
autumn, the forests are ablaze with a myriad of birds. Throughout the
intense hues. Walk a circuit of the year, Valbruna is the place for nature
lakes on the Sentiero del Rio del Lago. lovers. A network of walking trails
ª Head on to the SS54, and follow leads into the valley, to mountain
the sign to Tarvisio. Parking in Tarvisio peaks and to the Santuario Monte
can be tricky as it gets extremely Lussari, located at an altitude of
busy – use on-street parking, which is 1,790 m (5,872 ft) (open daily Jun–
best at the northern end of town. early Oct). The walk to the sanctuary
takes about 3 hours; or you can take
2 Tarvisio the cable car from neighbouring
Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia; 33018 Camporosso. In winter, the plains of
Above The picturesque hamlet of Valbruna, in In the far northeast of Friuli-Venezia Valbruna transform into a fabulous
the shadow of the Alpi Giulie Giulia, where Italy, Slovenia and cross-country ski domain right
Austria meet, Tarvisio flies the flags alongside the village, with a huge
GETTING TO LAGHI DI FUSINE of the three border communities. network of trails extending through
Nestled in an amphitheatre of valleys the upper Val Saisera.
From Tarvisio, take the SS54 east and peaks, the town is charming and ª Return to the SS13, following
through Fusine in Valromana and then very Alpine-oriented – the local hero directions to Udine, then turn right
the small Via dei Laghi on the right
about 3.5 km (2 miles) to the two lakes. is Julius Kugy, who climbed the Alpi to reach Malborghetto.
Giulie (Julian Alps) in the early 1900s.
Ski outlets, hotels and smart food 4 Malborghetto
WHERE TO STAY shops line the main street. Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia; 33010
Alpine sports such as skiing, snow- The main street of Malborghetto is
TARVISIO boarding, dog-sledding and walking tucked along the edge of a valley
Edelhof moderate are the main attractions, so visit the that is skirted on both sides by a ridge
At the edge of a forest, this grand Tourist Office (Via Roma 14, 33018; 0428 of mountain peaks. A sign points out
residence has 17 rooms and a restaurant.
Via Diaz 13, 33018; 0428 400 81; 2135; www.tarvisiano.org) for information the village’s two main historic sights
www.hoteledelhof.it on these and other outdoor activities, – the 13th-century Santa Maria della
including a programme of guided Visitazione (open daily) on the town
VALBRUNA walks. Enjoy the village ambience and hall square near the Municipio or town
Valbruna Inn moderate the daily market in Piazza Mercato. hall and, down the street, the dashing
This cosy village inn has rooms that
look from flower-decked balconies on
to the Alpi Giulie. Via Alpi Giulie 2, 33010; Below Hotels with geranium-festooned balconies near the centre of Alpine Tarvisio
0428 660 554; www.valbrunainn.com
MALBORGHETTO
Casa Oberrichter
inexpensive–moderate
A hotel housed in a wood-beamed
15th-century palace with a restaurant.
Via Superiore 4, 33010; 0428 41888;
www.casaoberrichter.com
AROUND UDINE
La Faula inexpensive–moderate
This working farm, set in idyllic coun-
tryside, offers nine characterful rooms.
Via Faula 5, Ravosa di Povoletto, 33040
Udine (A23 exit Udine Nord in direction
of Tarvisio. From SS13 Pontebbana drive
towards Povoletto-Cividale. At round-
about, turn right to Povoletto); 333 171
9514; www.faula.com; closed Oct–Feb
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–200; expensive, over €200

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