The other Adriatic - Cycling in Friuli
The only inclines in the Friulian hinterland of the Adriatic are on some of the ascents to the protective dams. Otherwise everything is flat. Only the headwind is usually strenuous. The trekking bike route runs along cycle paths, farm tracks and embankments, and not always on tarmac. From time to time you have to take the country road for a few kilometres.
Route: Udine - Codroipo - Lignano - Marano Lagunare - Aquilea - Grado - Cervignano del Friuli - Palmanova - Udine
Arrival
A Eurocity train with bike transport runs from Munich to Udine via Villach. In summer there is also a direct night train. www.bahn.de
Accommodation
Hotel La Pergola in Lignano Sabbiadoro. Friendly team in a newly renovated hotel surrounded by gardens. www.lapergolalignano.it/de
Hotel Ai Gelsi in Codroipo. Functional house on the outskirts of the village, www.gelsi.com
Hotel Hannover in Grado. Right in the centre of the pedestrian zone in the old town; www.hotelhannover.com/de
Hotel Ai Dogi in Palmanova. Small and nice, right on the large square in the centre of town; www.hotelaidogi.it
Worth seeing
Palmanova: Small town with a huge piazza and important town fortifications in the shape of a nine-pointed star
Aquilea: UNESCO World Heritage Site with a monumental basilica and a world-famous mosaic floor
Lignano Sabbiadoro: Lively, traditional seaside town with 8 km long sandy beach on the Adriatic Sea
Marano Lagunare: cosy, old fishing village with medieval piazza and many fish restaurants
Grado: modern seaside town with historic centre far out in the lagoon
Udine: old university town with magnificent Gothic and Renaissance buildings and Venetian-style squares.
Villa Manin in Passariano near Codroipo: Extensive 18th century castle complex by Ludovico Manin, the last Doge of Venice
Food and drink
Bar Al Molo in Marano Lagunare: Typical lagoon dishes right next to the fishing boats.
Ristorante Al Gambero in Palmanova: Good local dishes with lots of fish and pizzas that come highly recommended.
Literature & Maps
Wonderful for preparation and for travelling: Michael Müller Travel Guide "Friuli Venezia Giulia", 320 pages.
Tabacco Editrice road map "Friuli, Venezia Giulia" 1:150,000.
Promo Turismo FVG offers useful overview maps at a scale of 1:200,000 free of charge.
13 tour tips for the whole of Friuli Venezia Giulia can be found in the ring binder "Friuli Venezia Giulia Cycling Tour".
Info
PromoTurismoFVG, Villa Chiozza, Via Carso, 3, I-33052 Cervignano del Friuli (UD), Tel. 0039-0431/387111, e-mail: info@promoturismo.fvg.it, www.turismofvg.it (also in German)
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 5/2017. You can download the issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or in the DK-Shop order.
You can download the individual articles as PDF files here.
