Collina between mountain trails, a glacial lake and regional history
Accommodation in Collina
Several different ways to experience Collina are open to you during your stay: mountain trails lead to striking natural destinations, historic traces add to the outdoor experiences, and a distinctive church building provides an architectural focal point. In addition, there is a local food culture connected with the cabbage harvest. This allows you to explore the destination according to your interests without having to view nature, history and everyday life separately.
File:Collina ed il Coglians - panoramio.jpg
Photo: Walter Della Schiava via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Glacial lake and mountain landscape
Lago di Volaia is a glacial lake on the Italian-Austrian border. If you would like to reach this destination via a specific mountain route, the trail starts at Rifugio Tolazzi in Collina di Forni Avoltri and follows hiking trail CAI 144. The ascent is listed as taking approximately one hour and 45 minutes, with 600 metres of elevation gain. This combination of a border location, glacial lake and marked trail makes Lago di Volaia a distinct focus for your planning.
The ski tour to Forcella Plumbs also provides a clear mountaineering focus. It begins at an elevation of 1,224 metres in Località Edelweiss in Collina di Forni Avoltri. The route first passes through forest and then continues across open terrain to the mountain pastures below the Casera Plumbs hut. The mountain Cima Ombladet is also located in the vicinity of Collina.
Trails of varying length
The Traversata carnica is a six-hour route involving 750 metres of ascent and difficulty level E. It starts at Rifugio Tolazzi near the Collina district of Forni Avoltri. Another route is offered by the Sentiero delle portatrici: it descends via Forcella Ombladeet and passes the ruins of Malga Cjampei. The two routes therefore differ in terms of duration, elevation gain and terrain.
The Trincea del Volaia is part of the history of this mountain landscape. Military relics from the First World War, recovered by volunteers, have been preserved there.
Church architecture and local tradition
The Chiesa di San Michele arcangelo displays its architectural features through clearly defined structural elements. It has an attached bell tower with sturdy proportions, a belfry and a hipped roof. Inside, the nave and choir are separated by a round arch. These precise elements make the church building interesting to explore, with attention paid not only to its exterior form but also to the layout of the interior.
Another way to experience the local identity is through the “Festa dei cavoli nostri”. The first edition took place in early October and marked the beginning of the cabbage harvest period. The date links the festival to a specific stage of the agricultural year.
The destinations differ in terrain, duration and subject matter: Lago di Volaia represents a glacial lake on the border; the routes to Forcella Plumbs and via Forcella Ombladeet represent different types of terrain; while the Traversata carnica combines a six-hour route with 750 metres of ascent and difficulty level E. Architecture and the cabbage harvest add further distinct accents.
Other places
Santa Maria la Longa, Stregna, San Vito Al Torre, Chiusaforte, Pozzuolo del Friuli, Manzano, Grimacco and Ravascletto
For the broader travel overview: Udine.
