Microcosm of - Intro http://localhost/eng/travel/microcosmo/index.php

Microcosm of Friuli MTB Friuli

14 - 19 Giu 2021 Zone: Physical effort:: Technical effort:

Sixth stage First stage

Cycling does not stop at the concept of Sunday cycling, it is indeed an opportunity to explore nature delicately , visit historical places without haste , embark on adventures with friends and meet new people, all going to create and live unforgettable experiences. Last year MTB Friuli ventured into an extraordinary adventure, the Friûl Salvadi ; with the Microcosm release we present an enterprise also within the wilderness, together with historical points and, above all, with the difference in accommodation. The overnight stay in structures allows you to travel with the minimum necessary and not with the equipment of a real expedition. Where does the name come from? We also asked for it for the trip Friûl Salvadi ! The Microcosm track runs counterclockwise around the perimeter of Friuli, thus exploring many of its numerous unique environments described below. But we don't stop there. Carrying out this journey, for the most part without even passing through towns, establishes a unique relationship between the participants and that extends to the people you meet, who cannot resist your smiles: we build a microcosm.

The arrivals of the stages are always at the facilities. Their style changes a lot during the trip; the condition common to all is the spirit of welcome together with the context that surrounds them. The fact of being able to travel without heavy loads allows you to cover good distances and gradients in the day, considering an estimated 6 hours in the saddle per stage fragmented by many breaks to visit points of interest or, simply, for a due stop.

Below is the development of the path consisting of 6 stages:

Stage Length L ( km ) Elevation uphill D + ( m )

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29 950 Day 1: - Loc. La Farcadice

46 1450 Day 2: Loc. La Farcadice - Alta Val del Torre

63 1050 Day 3: Alta Val del Torre -

69 800 Day 4: Tolmezzo - Spilimbergo

67 100 Day 5: Spilimbergo -

73 450 Day 6: Marano Lagunare - Cividale del Friuli

346 4870 Total

The first stage is planned for half a day, from the car park of the Cividale del Friuli railway station you immediately proceed leaving the city. A warm-up in the countryside next to the Natisone River makes us enter the valley and reach the mountains. A mixture of climbs and descents between dirt and asphalt leads to La Farcadice with accommodation in a tent at the Agriturismo Zaro.

Then begins the most demanding stage of Microcosmo: both physically seen the crossing of different valleys, and technically given the quality of the stretch of road near the Rio Bianco. From the Prealps above Cividale, you skirt the Montemaggiore group to the south to descend into the Torrente Torre Valley. There you go up along the main road, enjoying the views over the gully, to reach the accommodation of the chalets with the glass ceiling La AleGra.

The climb to the Passo dei Ciclamici ends to descend to Uccea and climb to the Sella Carnizza. Descend into Val Resia inside the Julian Alps Natural Park where you cannot miss the detours to Fontanone Barman and Torrente Resia. The MTB Friuli style cannot be missing and the descent to the valley floor is along a path. From , proceed along the Alpe Adria cycle path, turning towards and the road to . Secondary roads lead to Amaro first and then to Tolmezzo. After crossing the historic center you arrive at the path on the Torrente But and at the Bed and Breakfast Le Tre Colombe, Caneva di Tolmezzo.

We are therefore in the and we cannot miss the passage to , along the River, to then go up to the Chiampon Sella. Now continue southwards discovering and getting to know the Arzino stream, from its sources, to the waterfalls, to the gorge, at its conjunction with the Tagliamento. Then we follow this watercourse pedaling alongside it until we arrive at the beautiful historic center of Spilimbergo.

After four days in the mountains it seems time for a little rest. The stage is not short but develops almost completely on a slight descent. Inside the bed of the Tagliamento up to the height of , you then proceed along the embankment up to the vicinity of where you turn towards Marano; all trying to move as much as possible on dirt and visiting places of interest, such as the forest of and the historic center of Marano. The accommodation is just outside the latter in an area with free grazing horses, Tenuta Valle Ca 'del Lovo, .

On the sixth day the journey ends with the return to Cividale del Friuli. It starts from the lagoon to go up to the Friuli Lower Plain. After we reach Cervignano; the Alpe Adria cycle path leads to the historic village of Strassoldo. There MTB Friuli abandons it to pass through the village of Novacco, reaching the village of Aiello. Continue following the Celestial Way up to the vicinity of Cormons. Again MTB Friuli proceeds on its way pointing to the Bosco Romagno. Beyond this, some secondary streets lead to the historic center, Unesco heritage, of Cividale.

Given the layout, the route can be done all year round, avoiding only periods that are too hot or shortly after heavy rainfall. Despite being the "simple" variant of the Friûl Salvadi journey, the Microcosm route has difficulty levels not negligible physics and technique. Difference in height or length require preparation, like the different sections on the path, even more so when traveling carrying luggage.

FIRST STAGE: Railway Station, Cividale del Friuli - Agriturismo Zaro, Loc. La Farcadice Length 28.6 km, Elevation gain 972+, 473- m (Min-Max: 135-849 m), Tobacco Cartography 41

Physical difficulty , Technical difficulty

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SECOND STAGE: Agriturismo Zaro, Loc. La Farcadice - La AleGra, Alta Val del Torre Length 45.8 km, Difference in altitude 1434+, 1321- m (Min-Max: 348-945 m), Cartography Tabacco 41, 26

Physical difficulty , Technical difficulty

THIRD STAGE: La AleGra, Alta Val del Torre - B&B Le Tre Colombe, Caniva di Tolmezzo Length 62.6 km, Difference in altitude 1049+, 1434- m (Min-Max: 287-1089 m), Cartography Tabacco 26, 27, 13

Physical difficulty , Technical difficulty

FOURTH STAGE: B&B Le Tre Colombe, Caniva di Tolmezzo - B&B Lis Rivis dal Tiliment, Spilimbergo Length 69.0 km, Difference in altitude 817+, 977- m (Min-Max: 127-788 m), Cartography Tabacco 13, 28

Physical difficulty , Technical difficulty

FIFTH STAGE: B&B Lis Rivis dal Tiliment, Spilimbergo - Agriturismo Ca 'di Lovo, Carlino Length 67.0 km, Elevation gain 121+, 240- m (Min-Max: 11-133 m), Tobacco /

Cartography Physical difficulty , Technical difficulty

SIXTH STAGE: Agriturismo Ca 'di Lovo, Carlino - Historic Center, Cividale del Friuli Length 72.5 km, Difference in altitude 477+, 330- m (Min-Max: 0-159 m), Tobacco /

Cartography Physical difficulty , Technical difficulty

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TOTAL Distance: 346 km Altitude: 0 m to 1089 m Difference in altitude: 4870 m +

Physical difficulty

Technical difficulty

End of the first stage in the Julian Pre-Alps. Peciliarities of the Agriturismo Zaro.

Agriturismo Zaro inside the huge woods. Deer and night in a tent.

A lot of development along dirt roads. Second stop: La AleGra, Alta Val del Torre.

Very few intersections with inhabited centers. The glass roofed huts for the night are unique.

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Climb towards the Sella Carnizza. Bridge over the Resia stream.

Quiet climb with limited traffic. You go down to the valley floor along a path.

Mainly downhill on gravel. Friuli respects nature.

Tracts in the woods and parts inside the pebbles. Welcome unexpected events where nature still lives.

I wade into the Tagliamento River. In the Val d'Arzino.

Watercourse that will be found later. Beautiful river, visit the springs and waterfalls.

You can't miss the Arzino gorges. The arrival in the High Plains.

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Two stops at them. Return to the Tagliamento River and its natural bed.

Half of the Friulian plain is crossed inside the Tagliamento. Arrival of the fourth stage: Spilimbergo.

Mainly on dirt roads, several sections on paths. Impossible to miss a visit to the historic center.

Proceed along the River of the Region, the Tagliamento. The shore contains parts covered by meadows, others by woods. The water appears and disappears in its gravel. Some passages also on gravel, near the watercourse.

Now in the Bassa Friulana near Muzzana del Turgnano. At the end of the plain, the arrival at the Marano Lagoon.

Pass by the last taste of the ancient forest, the Silva Fish tanks, horse enclosures and much more. Lupanica .

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Like us during the rides. Sunset over the Marano Lagoon.

Free to move. Ready for the last night.

The return to Cividale del Friuli. Near the Collio.

Alpe Adria cycle path and stop in Strassoldo. Through vineyards and views to castles.

Path along the Bosco Romagno. Arrival in Cividale del Friuli.

In the shade of ancient trees. Its entrance above the Devil's Bridge.

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