Quite a short and very easy stage, with a minimum difference in height, all through the gentle hills of the Collio.
In the distance, we spot the town of Cividale del Friuli.
The signage is incomplete and although the route is very simple, it is sometimes easy to take the wrong direction. Better to keep an eye on the GPS.
Risk of ticks.
We regain height by returning to Monte Quarin, reaching the Church of the Beata Vergine del Soccorso. After a piece in the bush, in gentle ups and downs, we continue towards the Collio. After passing the Reca stream, we continue towards Case Marcolin and then Casali Zorutti, where the Church of San Giacomo, in Lonzano Superiore, deserves a stop.
Skirting the dense vineyards (on a carriageway), we come to Località Scriò and then to Località Restocina. The route is often on a panoramic ridge: beautiful views of Cividale del Friuli.
Finally, we arrive in Albana, dominated by its castle. The proximity to Cividale del Friuli allows those who wish to visit the splendid town.
The Judrio river has always been a natural borderline: first, it divided the Kingdom of Italy from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then it marked the division between the provinces of Udine and Gorizia. After the Second World War, it marked the border with the former Yugoslavia and today it divides Italy from Slovenia.
Along the river, the Brazzano bridge is known to have been the scene of the first war action of the First World War: on May 23 1915, two Italian soldiers opened fire on the Austrian soldiers intending to blow up the bridge.
A few minutes by bus (or car) from Albana, there is the magnificent town of Cividale del Friuli. Due to its strategic position, it was an important military castrum (Roman military camp) already in Roman times.
It preserves many places of absolute value, dating back to different historical moments: from the magnificent Lombard Temple to the Devil's Bridge, suspended over the Natisone. From the mysterious Celtic Hypogeum (a collection of underground crypts with funeral or prison function) to the composite style of the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta.
Schioppettino wine is the protagonist of the countryside of this area. It is an indigenous grape variety part of the ribolla family, also called ribolla nera or pocalza, in Slovenian.
A spicy wine, excellent with red meats and game. For its rich structure, it is a good "meditation" wine.
B&B Caterina da Centa, in Prepotto. Tel. +39 0432 713237
Agriturismo Ronco dello Schioppettino, in Prepotto. Tel.+39 349 33 23 160
Religious youth center in Mernico; you need to bring a mat and a sleeping bag. Tel. +39 0481 786881
Va' Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution oft housands of people.
Even the most complicated dream, a 7,000km uphill dream,
can be achieved... together.
Grazie!
