Fossalon di Grado

Fossalon di Grado combines a fertile agricultural area within the municipality of Grado with the distinctive landscape of Valle Cavanata. For planning your trip, specific nature trails, observation posts and a sea embankment are key points of interest. The Valle Cavanata Nature Reserve is located in Fossalon di Grado, covers 341 hectares including 67 hectares of sea, and was established in 1996. At the same time, it is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and part of the Natura 2000 network – both as a Site of Community Importance and as a Special Protection Area.

Valle Cavanata between canals, woodland and sea

The Valle da pesca of Valle Cavanata consists of bodies of water and canals separated from one another by periodically flooded sandbanks and small islands. As a result, the trails offer different views of the landscape, without the individual impressions merging into a uniform natural setting. The Valle Cavanata Regional Nature Reserve has four visitor trails: the Bosco Averto trail, the Centro visite trail, the del mare trail and the della valle trail.

The “Percorso del Bosco Averto” runs alongside the dense Averto woodland, which is predominantly characterised by elm trees. The woodland provides shelter for deer and serves as a refuge for waterfowl. Birds can be observed at the Osservatorio Sabbia from the “Percorso della valle”. The trail begins in the courtyard of the visitor centre, is approximately 1,800 metres long and runs along the northern part of the Valle da pesca – in the opposite direction from the FVG 2 cycle path coming from Grado.

Four trails for different discoveries

The “Percorso del Centro visite” is an approximately 500-metre-long footpath with two observation posts. Binoculars can be borrowed free of charge at the visitor centre. If you prefer a longer route, the “Percorso del mare” leads from the visitor centre car park to the gate by the sea. This route is 3,200 metres long and is preferably travelled by bicycle. From the sea embankment, on clear days you can see the Gulf of Trieste and part of Istria.

The fourth stage of the Cammino Via Flavia reaches the coastal area of the Valle Cavanata Regional Nature Reserve via an elevated combined cycle and footpath. The Valle Cavanata Nature Reserve is also the starting point for the cycling tour. This allows you to experience Fossalon not only via individual trails, but also as part of a longer route.

Getting there and orientation

For locating accommodation in relation to its surroundings, two reference points are particularly specific: From the FOSSALON Via Grado (Madonnina) bus stop, it is approximately 150 metres on foot to the Valle Cavanata Nature Reserve. In addition, a bridge over the Canale di Primero, built after the Second World War, ended Fossalon’s partial isolation from Grado. The trails and the bus stop therefore show how closely the nature experience is tied to specific starting points in the area.

Agriculture and the surrounding region

Fossalon was established in the first half of the 20th century through land reclamation. The farms produce fruit, vegetables and dairy products. The “Festa degli Asparagi” is also part of the local food culture: Fossalon di Grado hosted the 38th edition, where asparagus was celebrated with a programme of gastronomy, music and tradition. At the “Festa degli asparagi di Fossalon”, the vegetable can be sampled at food stalls set up specifically for the event.

The Foce dell’Isonzo Nature Reserve, with the Caneo area and Isola della Cona, is also located nearby. It extends over 2,400 hectares along the final 15 kilometres of the Isonzo River. For further orientation within the wider destination area, you can also view Grado Pineta.

For the overview of the wider destination: Grado.