Forni Avoltri: Mountain Lakes, Hiking Trails and Local History

In Forni Avoltri, hiking routes to alpine lakes sit alongside local history and food culture. If you are looking for a hotel in Forni Avoltri, these themes can help you plan your trip: would you rather focus on hiking and exploring the landscape, or also learn about local exhibitions and traditions?

Trails to mountain lakes and through the alpine landscape

A dense network of trails around Forni Avoltri connects mountain huts and alpine pastures, making multi-day treks possible. CAI Trail 144 leads to Lake Volaia from the Tolazzi Hut in Collina di Forni Avoltri. The route is estimated to take about 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a total elevation gain of 600 metres. Lake Volaia lies on the Italian-Austrian border.

Lago di Bordaglia lies within the municipality of Forni Avoltri, at the bottom of a hollow formed by a glacier and within the Bordaglia-Flèons Wildlife Oasis, established in 1968. The hike from Pierabech follows CAI Trails 141 and 142 through forest and across pastures. The trail to the lake also passes streams, quarries, alpine pastures and First World War defensive positions. The wildlife oasis is home to chamois, red deer and roe deer, among other animals.

Remains of First World War trenches are still visible along the border ridge. War relics can be seen along the Ring of Bordaglia. So, alongside the landscape, traces of history are among the things you will encounter on the trails.

Local exhibitions and history

The “Cemout Chi Erin” Ethnographic Centre, housed in the former town hall of Forni Avoltri, displays materials relating to different aspects of life and work in the local communities. The museum complex also includes a geological exhibition featuring a tetrapod footprint. The animal was found in Pierabech and dates from the Lower Triassic, about 250 million years ago. The exhibitions therefore highlight both the way of life of the local communities and a much more ancient history of the Earth.

The “Forni Avoltri nella Grande Guerra” exhibition is dedicated to events on the First World War front in this area. It features exhibits, reconstructions, photographs and documents. The exhibition provides background on the local First World War front. Remains of trenches from that war can also be seen in the landscape along the border ridge, as can war relics along the Ring of Bordaglia.

Regional cuisine and traditions

Local food culture is another highlight. Typical Forni Avoltri cuisine includes Cjarsons, crispy Frico, game, wild mushrooms, cheese from the alpine pastures and berry-based desserts. The local alpine pastures produce fresh cheese, ricotta and smoked ricotta. These products and dishes give regional cuisine its distinctive character, although not every dish will necessarily be available on every menu.

One living tradition is the annual pilgrimage by the parish community of Forni Avoltri to the Sanctuary of Madonna Addolorata in Luggau. It takes seven hours on foot and takes place on the last Saturday and Sunday in June. Check the arrangements for the pilgrimage for the relevant year before your trip. When choosing a hotel, the different themes may help you decide: hiking routes, landscape and history, or the culinary and cultural sides of the town.

Discover more destinations: Teor, Cassacco, Aquileia, Lestizza, Colloredo di Monte Albano, Raibl, Passariano, Torviscosa.

For the wider travel overview: Udine.