Discover Forni Avoltri

Forni Avoltri combines alpine trails, experiences in nature and a vivid culture of remembrance. Around the town, trails lead to mountain huts, alpine pastures and lakes. At the same time, museums, exhibitions and visible war relics offer insights into the history and everyday life of this mountain community. Those looking for accommodation in Forni Avoltri can therefore shape their trip around hiking, landscapes, regional cuisine and culture.

Hiking to Lago di Bordaglia and Lake Volaia

One notable destination is Lago di Bordaglia. It is located within the municipality of Forni Avoltri, inside the Bordaglia-Flèons Wildlife Oasis established in 1968. The lake lies at the bottom of a hollow formed during the Ice Age; the wildlife oasis is home to chamois, deer and roe deer, among other species. A hike from Pierabech follows CAI trails 141 and 142 through forests and across pastures to Lago di Bordaglia. The route also passes streams, quarries, alpine pastures and defensive positions from the First World War.

A dense network of trails around Forni Avoltri connects alpine mountain huts and pastures and also makes multi-day trekking tours possible. Along the border ridge, remains of First World War trenches are visible. War relics can also still be found along the Ring of Bordaglia. These trails connect landscape and history without requiring the two themes to be planned separately.

Another specific tour leads from the Tolazzi Hut in Collina di Forni Avoltri via CAI trail 144 to Lake Volaia. The route takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and includes a total ascent of 600 metres. Lake Volaia lies on the Italian-Austrian border. Take these details into account when planning your day and choose the tour according to your own travel plans.

Museums, Exhibitions and Pilgrimage

The “Cemout Chi Erin” Ethnographic Centre, housed in the former town hall of Forni Avoltri, displays a collection of materials illustrating various aspects of the life and work of the local communities. The museum complex also includes a geological exhibition featuring the imprint of a tetrapod. The fossil was found in Pierabech and dates from the Lower Triassic, around 250 million years ago.

The exhibition “Forni Avoltri nella Grande Guerra” adds another historical focus. It presents exhibits, reconstructions, photographs and documents relating to events on the First World War front in this area. Another tradition is the annual pilgrimage by the parish community of Forni Avoltri to the Madonna Addolorata Sanctuary in Luggau. It takes seven hours on foot and takes place on the last Saturday and Sunday in June.

The “Festa dei Frutti di Bosco” is also part of the area’s traditional event and local history: in Avoltri, Forni Avoltri, it reached its 30th edition in 2022 and took place on 30 and 31 July 2022. This date describes the 2022 edition and should not be understood as a current event date.

Regional Cuisine and Local Character

The alpine pastures in the surrounding area produce fresh cheese, ricotta and smoked ricotta. Typical Forni Avoltri cuisine includes cjarsons, crispy frico, game, wild mushrooms, cheese from the alpine pastures and berry-based desserts. This means that a stay can be explored not only through hiking destinations, but also through regional products and dishes.

The Degano features a varied water landscape with pools and weirs, fast-flowing rapids, and sections with gravel and large boulders. Trout can be found along the banks or below the waterfalls. Those planning a stay in Forni Avoltri will therefore find different points of interest: multi-day routes, individual mountain tours, nature observation, historical exhibitions and cuisine featuring products from the surrounding area.

Other Places for Orientation

For further orientation, you can also explore Manzano, Aiello del Friuli, Cavazzo Carnico, Torreano, Stregna, Osoppo, Treppo Grande and Pozzuolo del Friuli.

For the broader travel overview: Udine.