With the arrival of autumn, Friuli Venezia Giulia transforms into a palette of warm and changing shades. The mountains and valleys are tinged with gold and red, the woods light up with a new light, and the landscapes take on that melancholy but welcoming atmosphere that only this season can offer. It’s time for foliagewhen nature invites you to slow down, listen to the sounds of the forest and rediscover the beauty of small things.
There are twenty itineraries to choose from for those who want to live this experience up close: routes of different difficulty, length and duration, all complete with maps, directions and curiosities. Some are ring-shaped, perfect for families and children; others have historical or cultural value; many are dog-friendly, designed for those who do not give up the company of their dog.
We have selected five of these itineraries, chosen among the most evocative, which cross the entire region: from Carnia to the Friulian Dolomites, from the Julian Alps to the Natisone Valleys up to the Karst.
Carnia – The ring of Pani
At around 900 meters above sea level, the Pani plateau, in the municipality of Raveo, is a place where the mountain still retains an authentic soul. The small village, inserted between the Authentic Villages of Italyoffers a 6.3 km circular hike (about two hours, 262 meters of altitude difference) that combines nature, panoramas and rural tradition. The path crosses meadows, beech forests and characteristic buildings I stayedthe typical stone and wood buildings of Carnia.
Along the way you come across ancient barns and panoramic points that open onto the Pani basin, offering a broad and serene view of the surrounding landscape. It is also a route suitable for families, which offers an opportunity to rediscover the simplicity of rural life and the connection with nature. The Pani ring is not just a hiking itinerary: it is a way to closely observe a territory which, although changing over time, keeps its identity intact. Walking along its paths means finding a slower pace, where silence and calm become an integral part of the experience.
Friulian Dolomites – Dint Path
In the heart of the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park, a UNESCO heritage site, the Dint Path it is a route that develops around Lake Barcis and along the suggestive Cellina gorge. It is a circular itinerary of 4.3 km (about an hour and a half of walking, 215 meters of altitude difference), accessible to all and ideal for those who want a quiet excursion but full of views.
We start from the reserve visitor center and go up along the 997 trail sign, passing next to the so-called “rain well”, a deep natural cavity dug by the water. The three panoramic points of the route offer spectacular views: from the first you can observe Lake Barcis and the Ponte Antoi dam; from the second you dominate the entrance to the gorge, with its rock walls smoothed by the water; the third, recognizable by its characteristic red spiral staircase, offers a broad and evocative perspective on the village of Andreis and the turquoise waters of the lake.
During the journey, woods, rocky terraces and suspended sections alternate, where nature shows its shaping force. It is an itinerary that tells of the power of water and the delicacy of the Dolomite landscape, perfect for those who want to discover a lesser-known but extremely fascinating side of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Julian Alps – The Fusine lakes
Few places manage to evoke the magic of the mountain landscape like the Fusine Lakes. Located in Tarvisio, in the heart of the Julian Alps, are two glacial lakes — upper and lower — connected by a system of underground water, nestled at the foot of Mount Mangart. The circular route that surrounds them is approximately 5 km (two hours’ walk, 100 meters of altitude difference) and develops between wooden walkways, stretches in the woods and open areas with spectacular views.
In autumn, the golden reflections of the trees are reflected in the still waters of the lakes, creating a scenario that seems painted. Along the path you come across moraine chains, large erratic boulders and panoramic points from which you can observe the snow-capped peaks of the Mangart group.
It is an itinerary that fascinates photographers, hikers and families, thanks also to the presence of the Zacchi Refuge, easily reachable and perfect for a break with a view.
In addition to the main route, the area offers numerous possibilities for more challenging excursions, via ferratas and climbing on the nearby cliffs of the Pirona and Ponze boulders. The Fusine Lakes are one of those places that, season after season, continue to amaze: a balance between water, rock and forest that represents the very essence of the Julian Alps.
Natisone Valleys – The Kot waterfalls
Among the most fascinating and least known valleys of Friuli, those of Natisone preserve corners of intact nature. The Kot waterfalls, in Val Erbezzo, are a small jewel nestled between woods and rocks, easily reachable from Cividale del Friuli, one of the Most beautiful villages in Italy and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The path that leads to the waterfalls is short (1 km, about half an hour’s walk, minimal altitude difference), but offers an intense experience. You go along the Patok and Pod Tamoran rivers, cross shady stretches and pass next to the remains of an ancient mill. At the end of the route, you find yourself in front of the basin where the water falls with a drop of over ten metres, forming a flow of travertine and a large cavern covered in moss. When the water level allows it, it is possible to approach the base of the waterfall and listen closely to the sound of the water bouncing on the rocks.
It is a simple but fascinating excursion, suitable for everyone, ideal for those looking for a break in nature and want to discover the greenest and quietest dimension of the Natisone Valleys.
Karst – Ring of the Doberdò and Pietrarossa Lakes Nature Reserve
The journey through the foliage of Friuli Venezia Giulia ends with an itinerary that combines landscape, history and biodiversity: the ring of the natural reserve of the Doberdò and Pietrarossa lakes, in the Isonzo Karst, between Gorizia and Trieste. It is an 11 km route (about four hours, 300 meters of altitude difference) that passes through a unique environment.
The two lakes, separated by a limestone ridge, are among the few examples of karst lakes in Europe. Their water level varies depending on the seasons and rainfall, creating an ever-changing landscape. Along the route you come across stretches of woods, clearings, panoramic points and historical evidence: trenches, posts and remains of the First World War, today enhanced by information panels that tell the story of the past.
It is an itinerary that invites you to walk without haste, observing the contrasts between the water and the stone, between the vegetation and the memories of history. Perfect for those looking for a more contemplative experience, immersed in nature but also in the memory of the territory.
An autumn to experience walking
Friuli Venezia Giulia, in autumn, offers a variety of experiences that go beyond the simple excursion. Each route is a way to get to know the area from a different point of view, following the changing colors of the forest and the slow rhythms of the season. Whether it’s a walk through the villages of Carnia, a view of the Dolomites, a golden reflection on the Fusine lakes, a hidden waterfall in the Natisone Valleys or a path in the Karst, the foliage Friulano is an invitation to stop, breathe and look.
In an era in which everything seems to rush, these places offer the possibility of reconnecting with nature and with oneself, step by step.
