Forni Avoltri: Mountain Lakes, Trails and Local History

Forni Avoltri combines mountain lakes, a dense network of trails, opportunities for observing nature, traces of the First World War and a distinctive regional cuisine. This makes it ideal for a trip that combines alpine landscapes with culture, history and Italian specialities. Several destinations can be enjoyed as day trips in their own right, while the network of trails also enables multi-day treks.

Culture and History in the Area

The former town hall of Forni Avoltri houses the Ethnographic Centre “Cemout Chi Erin”, which presents a collection of materials covering various aspects of life and work in the local communities. The museum complex also includes a geological exhibition featuring the imprint of a tetrapod found in Pierabech, dating from the Lower Triassic around 250 million years ago. The exhibition “Forni Avoltri nella Grande Guerra” focuses on the events of the First World War front in this area, using exhibits, reconstructions, photographs and documents. The “Festa dei Frutti di Bosco” in Avoltri, Forni Avoltri, added a festive touch: in 2022, it reached its 30th edition, held on 30 and 31 July 2022.

Mountain Lakes and Protected Nature

Lago di Bordaglia lies within the municipality of Forni Avoltri, inside the Bordaglia-Flèons Wildlife Oasis established in 1968. Chamois, red deer and roe deer are among the animals living in this area. The lake lies at the bottom of a hollow formed during the Ice Age. Lake Volaia is located on the Italian-Austrian border and adds another striking mountain destination to the landscape.

Trail Networks with Natural and Wartime Traces

A dense network of trails around Forni Avoltri connects alpine mountain huts and mountain pastures. CAI Trail 144 leads to Lake Volaia from the Tolazzi Hut in Collina di Forni Avoltri; the route is listed as taking approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with a total ascent of 600 metres. If you are heading to the starting point of the trail to Lago di Bordaglia, turn right shortly outside Forni Avoltri towards Sappada, after crossing the bridge over the Degano, and follow the road for 2 km to Pierabech. There is a car park near the White Chapel. The hike to Lago di Bordaglia leads from Pierabech via CAI Trails 141 and 142 through woodland and across pastureland to the lake. Along the way, the trail passes streams, quarries, mountain pastures and defensive positions from the First World War. Further wartime relics are visible along the Ring of Bordaglia; remains of First World War trenches have survived along the border ridge.

Winter, River and Regional Cuisine

At the Carnia Arena, cross-country skiing and biathlon courses are offered by prior reservation. The Degano flows through a varied river 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. The mountain pastures in the surrounding area produce fresh cheese, ricotta and smoked ricotta. Typical cuisine in Forni Avoltri includes Cjarsons, crispy frico, game, wild mushrooms, cheese from the mountain pastures and berry-based desserts.

This allows your choice of accommodation to be aligned with your personal travel plans without reducing the diversity of the area to a single experience.

More Destinations for Orientation

Gorgo, Treppo Grande, Faedis, Povoletto, Arta Terme, Polizza, Lavariano and Attimis

For the main travel overview: Udine.