Hiking Alpe Adria, Cividale - Trieste

Day 2: Cividale del Friuli - Prepotto (ascent approx. 520 m, descent approx. 540 m / approx. 22 km / approx. 7 hours - alternative: ascent approx. 100 m, descent approx. 125 m / approx. 10 km / approx. 3-4 hours)

The path out of the Langobard town takes you to Castelmonte, the oldest sanctuary in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries. Enjoy the breathtaking view over the plain of Friuli and the Slovenian Brda. The day will end with a good glass of vine in Prepotto. The alternativ is following the official Alpe Adria Trail.

Day 3: Prepotto - Smartno/surrounding (ascent approx. 620 m, descent approx. 460 m / approx. 15 km / approx. 5 hours)

Today’s route takes you along the Italian-Slovenian border, passes vine landscapes of the Collio and numerous churches. Today you will walk to Smartno, a small residential area in the township of Brda. Your gaze will wander from the Carnic Alps over the wide Friuli to the Adria.

Day 4: Smartno/surrounding – Cormons (ascent approx. 350 m, descent approx. 550 m / approx. 14 km / approx. 4-5 hours)

Surrounded by grape vine plants of the famous DOC vines, as well as old and autochthonous grape variety which play even more a role in recent years, you reach Cormons with its Habsburg flair. This small town is nowadays the cultural centre of the Collio. Indulge yourself in a taste of good wine in the Enoteca directly on the main square.

Day 5: Cormons - Gradisca d'Isonzo (ascent approx. 100 m, descent approx. 120 m / approx. 17 km / approx. 4-5 hours)

Today you hike through the hilly landscape of the “Görzer Collio” with its vineyards to Gradisca. The name Gradisca has Slavic roots and means “settled place”. Under Venetian rule it was built into a fortress against the Turkish threat from East in the end of the 15th century. During Austrian ruling the fort was used as prison. In the historic centre you will find the “Enoteca Regionale” (regional wine-store) in the Palazzo dei Provveditori (15th century), known as LA SERENISSIMA. You can taste different wines of the region and buy them. Further objects of interest are remainders of the mighty town walls.

Day 6: Gradisca d'Isonzo - Monfalcone - Duino/Sistiana (ascent approx. 670 m, descent approx. 650 m / approx. 30 km / approx. 8-9 hours; Optional tour: ascent approx. 420 m, descent approx. 420 m / approx. 19 km / approx. 6 hours + bus - ticket not included)

You leave Gradisca d`Isonzo and the plain of the Isonzo territory and hike through the barren karst, which is characterised by many traces of the First World War. Numerous subterranean water courses in the basin of the river Isonzo share your way today (e.g. Doberdo del Lago), as well as the water mouth of the river Timavo. This river with its length of 2 km is probably the shortest river in the world. The last part of the tour from Monfalcone to Duino/Sistiana can be shortened by using the bus (ticket not included). At the end of the day Duino welcomes you with its homonymous castle.

Day 7: Duino/Sistiana - Triest (ascent approx. 460 m, descent approx. 500 m / approx. 24 km / approx. 7-8 hours)

The first part of the route takes you on the famous trail of Rilke which is named after the homonymous German author. You continue as if on a terrace along the karst to Prosecco and the capital city of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trieste. Have a relaxed end of the day on the main square (Piazza Unità d'Italia) with its opulent buildings.
Day 7: Departure Individual departure or possibility of extending the stay.

Eco friendly Option By train: good train connections to Cividale del Friuli. Timetables on: www.deutschebahn.de, www.oebb.at, www.trenitalia.com. By car: From the north via the motorway A10 to Villach and further on the A23 to Udine (exit Udine Nord); on the province road 54 to Cividale del Friuli; from the west via the A4 – via Milano and Venezia – and further on the A23 to Udine (exit Udine Sud); over San Giovanni al Natisone to Cividale del Friuli. By plane: Airport Trieste, Venice, Treviso, Ljubljana. From all places there are good bus/train connections to Cividale del Friuli.

Guesthouses or hotels 3*** category. Attention: Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot!

Free unguarded car parking available at the start hotel.

Return transfer from Trieste to Cividale del Friuli by shuttle every saturday € 39.00 per person - (reservation and payment upon booking. Min. 2 pax) Alternativ : with train from Trieste per Udine to Cividale (www.trenitalia.it)

We suggest travel insurance.

No, it is not possible.

Special experience is not necessary. Your state of health should be average and allow you to walk for 5 - 6 hours. It was conceived as an easyto-walk pleasure trail in mainly non-alpine terrain. No climbing knowledge required.

Every Saturday we offer a return transfer by shuttle bus from Trieste to Cividale del Friuli. (pre-booking required, payment in advance at the time of booking).