Itinerario 10

Itinerary 10: from Tarcetta to Montefosca (on horse and on foot)

Presentation
Panoramic itinerary that from the Natisone/Nediža valley floor reaches Montefosca/Čarni Varh set between Mounts Joanac/Ivanac, Lubia/Ljubja and Mia/Mija.

Description of the route
From Tarcetta/Tarčet climb up to Spignon/Varh and take the country road for Pegliano/Ofijan. Then continue along the country road to Zapatocco/ Zapatok and Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas, to finally take the country road towards Montefosca/Čarni Varh approximately 4km.

Length
The total length of the route is approximately 16km. Here are the kilometres of each section:
Tarcetta/Tarčet – Antro/Landar 1.2km;
Antro/Landar-Spignon/Varh 3km;
Spignon/Varh-Cocianzi/Kočjanci approximately 3km;
Cocianzi/Kočjanci-Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas approximately 4km;
Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas- Montefosca/Čarni Varh 4km.

Altitude
Approximately 600 metres. Altimetry:
Tarcetta/ Tarčet 221m;
Church of S. Spirito 680m;
Cocianzi/ Kočjanci 568m;
Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas 680m;
Montefosca/Čarni Varh 707m.

Level of dificulty:
Medium

From Italy: by car drive along main road n°54 in the direction of Caporetto. After 3.5km, having crossed the village of Tiglio/Lipa, turn left,

BY CAR

cross the bridge on the Natisone/Nediža river and keep to the right for 500 metres up to Tarcetta/Tarčet.
From Slovenia: by car drive from Kobarid/ Caporetto to Italy across the Robič pass towards S. Pietro al Natisone/Špietar. After 17km turn right, cross the bridge on the Natisone/Nediža and keep to the right for 500 metres, up to Tarcetta/ Tarčetta.

From Tarcetta/Tarčet, on the right-hand side of the Natisone/Nediža, the tarmac road (with a short hill) (1.2km) leads to Antro/Landar, the small village with the famous cave of S. Giovanni/ Landarska Jama.

ART

Behind the church of Antro there is a paved road which, in about a minute’s walk, leads to a remarkable stone stairway of 110 steps which

climbs along a rocky wall. At the top, through a narrow door there is the first big hall of the Antro/ Landar cave. In 1477 (seen on the right) the master builder Andrea von Lack set into the rock the splendid church of S. Giovanni d’Antro (Saint John of Antro), embellished in the 17th Century by a wooden altar by Bartolomeo Ortari. Across a system, (not yet all explored) of galleries and halls, also on different levels, the cave twists and turns for 5 kilometres. Rich with subterranean springs, it still contains the remains of animals, amongst which is the Bear of the caves. The first section is open to tourists - it is possible to have a guided tour with an authorised guide from the local speleological club by contacting the Pro loco “Nediške Doline-Valli del Natisone” (tel. 338/1260311; info@nediskedoline.it; www. nediskedoline.it).

Return to the tarmac road and proceed upwards.
After approximately 500 metres, having passed a big widening, at the first crossroad turn left, here the woods clear offering pleasant views towards Matajur and its long gradually sloping ridge.

For those travelling by car, turning right on the tarmac road you reach the hamlets of Pegliano/ Ofijan.

BY CAR

The road passes under the small hamlet of Spignon/ Varh, (3 km from Antro) and arrives at another junction (intersection with itinerary 11. See page 105). To the left a short digression takes to Puller/ Pulerji where there is a farmhouse trattoria.
Take the dirt track on the right that comes from Cividale/Čedad and proceeds towards Masarolis/ Mažeruola. Here we are on the wide grassy ridge of Craguenza/ Kraguojnca, which has not yet been invaded by woods and therefore still preserves (thanks to the heroic dedication of the few families left devoted to a mountain agriculture poor of profit but rich in landscape value) the aspect of a well-kept garden, with its scattered birches, one or two tall trees silhouetted against the sky and the nearby linear outline of Matajur in front. Avoid all roads to the left, our path leads away from the ridge and goes into the woods. In addition what now appear to be woods in reality used to be “meadows of trees” that slowly turned into orchards or even terraced vine fields near the villages. The eastern slopes of Mount Craguenza/Kraguojnca open into a large creek where, at 600m above sea level, the picturesque villages of Cedermas/Čedarmači, Floram/Flormi, Stonder/Štonderi, Cocianzi/ Kočjanci, Dorbolò/Dorbolì, Sosgne/Šošnja are situated; all together these form the collective
name of Pegliano/Ofijan.

ART

From Floram/Flormi a short path leads to, the beautiful church of San Nicolò/Sv. Miklav¡ (Saint Nicholas) which dates back to 1850. The

top

remains of the ancient church of San Nicolò/Sv. Miklav¡ are found a little further on, after a wood of beeches.

Having arrived at Cocianzi/Kočjanci, a board indicates the big chestnut tree over a hundred years. old, which is our true destination. Take the forest road that follows the side of the mountain, pass near an apple orchard, and fields and meadows which are still cultivated, then enter the woods. Descending on the right using the fairly wide tractor trail of the Galobica ridge it is possible to reach the beautiful little church of San Donato (Saint Donatus) (1.5km) and down to Lasiz/Laze (approximately 2km). After approximately 1km beyond the Jauarščak stream, on the left a wide paved mule track separates. Take this road for approximately 300 metres and you find yourself in the heart of a chestnut wood that has been abandoned for at least 30 years.

Here, a little higher, marked by a signpost, there is the gigantic chestnut tree; circumference of 7.1 metres and 24 metres high. Its presumed age is 300 years. Other trees surrounding this one also have considerable dimensions and are worth noting.

Follow the main path, for a little less than 2km up to the end of the tarmac road
Pulfero/Podbuniesac- Montefosca/Čarni Varh, a little after the village of Zapatocco/Zapatok. At this point, follow the tarmac road to the left for 1km and without going up towards Calla/Kau go to Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas, an idyllic oasis with terraced fields cultivated with potatoes and beans, interlaced with roses and people who make hay. From here, continuing straight, you are once again on a forest road that in summer is like a real green tunnel. The road enters the deep valley of the Bodrino/Budrin stream; here a few sections have a marvellous view overlooking the Natisone/Nediža (with bench). It is a route that has only recently been completely marked by Cai trail signs. About Halfway through the route there is a junction with a sign for the church of S.Andrea (Saint Andrew) and takes about thirty minutes. Pass the Bodrino/Budrin river over an old stone bridge and you will shortly reach the village of Paceida/ Pačejda and Montefosca/Čarni Varh.


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	Itinerary 1\| Itinerary 2\| Itinerary 3\| Itinerary 4\| Itinerary 5\| Itinerary 6\| Itinerary 7\| Itinerary 8\| Itinerary 9\| Itinerary10\| Itinerary 11\|

	Itinerary 10: from Tarcetta to Montefosca (on horse and on foot)
	Presentation Panoramic itinerary that from the Natisone/Nediža valley floor reaches Montefosca/Čarni Varh set between Mounts Joanac/Ivanac, Lubia/Ljubja and Mia/Mija. Description of the route From Tarcetta/Tarčet climb up to Spignon/Varh and take the country road for Pegliano/Ofijan. Then continue along the country road to Zapatocco/ Zapatok and Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas, to finally take the country road towards Montefosca/Čarni Varh approximately 4km. Length The total length of the route is approximately 16km. Here are the kilometres of each section: Tarcetta/Tarčet – Antro/Landar 1.2km; Antro/Landar-Spignon/Varh 3km; Spignon/Varh-Cocianzi/Kočjanci approximately 3km; Cocianzi/Kočjanci-Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas approximately 4km; Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas- Montefosca/Čarni Varh 4km. Altitude Approximately 600 metres. Altimetry: Tarcetta/ Tarčet 221m; Church of S. Spirito 680m; Cocianzi/ Kočjanci 568m; Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas 680m; Montefosca/Čarni Varh 707m. Level of dificulty: Medium

	From Italy: by car drive along main road n°54 in the direction of Caporetto. After 3.5km, having crossed the village of Tiglio/Lipa, turn left,	BY CAR
	cross the bridge on the Natisone/Nediža river and keep to the right for 500 metres up to Tarcetta/Tarčet. From Slovenia: by car drive from Kobarid/ Caporetto to Italy across the Robič pass towards S. Pietro al Natisone/Špietar. After 17km turn right, cross the bridge on the Natisone/Nediža and keep to the right for 500 metres, up to Tarcetta/ Tarčetta. From Tarcetta/Tarčet, on the right-hand side of the Natisone/Nediža, the tarmac road (with a short hill) (1.2km) leads to Antro/Landar, the small village with the famous cave of S. Giovanni/ Landarska Jama.
ART	Behind the church of Antro there is a paved road which, in about a minute’s walk, leads to a remarkable stone stairway of 110 steps which
	climbs along a rocky wall. At the top, through a narrow door there is the first big hall of the Antro/ Landar cave. In 1477 (seen on the right) the master builder Andrea von Lack set into the rock the splendid church of S. Giovanni d’Antro (Saint John of Antro), embellished in the 17th Century by a wooden altar by Bartolomeo Ortari. Across a system, (not yet all explored) of galleries and halls, also on different levels, the cave twists and turns for 5 kilometres. Rich with subterranean springs, it still contains the remains of animals, amongst which is the Bear of the caves. The first section is open to tourists - it is possible to have a guided tour with an authorised guide from the local speleological club by contacting the Pro loco “Nediške Doline-Valli del Natisone” (tel. 338/1260311; info@nediskedoline.it; www. nediskedoline.it). Return to the tarmac road and proceed upwards. After approximately 500 metres, having passed a big widening, at the first crossroad turn left, here the woods clear offering pleasant views towards Matajur and its long gradually sloping ridge.
	For those travelling by car, turning right on the tarmac road you reach the hamlets of Pegliano/ Ofijan.	BY CAR
	The road passes under the small hamlet of Spignon/ Varh, (3 km from Antro) and arrives at another junction (intersection with itinerary 11. See page 105). To the left a short digression takes to Puller/ Pulerji where there is a farmhouse trattoria. Take the dirt track on the right that comes from Cividale/Čedad and proceeds towards Masarolis/ Mažeruola. Here we are on the wide grassy ridge of Craguenza/ Kraguojnca, which has not yet been invaded by woods and therefore still preserves (thanks to the heroic dedication of the few families left devoted to a mountain agriculture poor of profit but rich in landscape value) the aspect of a well-kept garden, with its scattered birches, one or two tall trees silhouetted against the sky and the nearby linear outline of Matajur in front. Avoid all roads to the left, our path leads away from the ridge and goes into the woods. In addition what now appear to be woods in reality used to be “meadows of trees” that slowly turned into orchards or even terraced vine fields near the villages. The eastern slopes of Mount Craguenza/Kraguojnca open into a large creek where, at 600m above sea level, the picturesque villages of Cedermas/Čedarmači, Floram/Flormi, Stonder/Štonderi, Cocianzi/ Kočjanci, Dorbolò/Dorbolì, Sosgne/Šošnja are situated; all together these form the collective name of Pegliano/Ofijan.
ART	From Floram/Flormi a short path leads to, the beautiful church of San Nicolò/Sv. Miklav¡ (Saint Nicholas) which dates back to 1850. The	top
	remains of the ancient church of San Nicolò/Sv. Miklav¡ are found a little further on, after a wood of beeches. Having arrived at Cocianzi/Kočjanci, a board indicates the big chestnut tree over a hundred years. old, which is our true destination. Take the forest road that follows the side of the mountain, pass near an apple orchard, and fields and meadows which are still cultivated, then enter the woods. Descending on the right using the fairly wide tractor trail of the Galobica ridge it is possible to reach the beautiful little church of San Donato (Saint Donatus) (1.5km) and down to Lasiz/Laze (approximately 2km). After approximately 1km beyond the Jauarščak stream, on the left a wide paved mule track separates. Take this road for approximately 300 metres and you find yourself in the heart of a chestnut wood that has been abandoned for at least 30 years. Here, a little higher, marked by a signpost, there is the gigantic chestnut tree; circumference of 7.1 metres and 24 metres high. Its presumed age is 300 years. Other trees surrounding this one also have considerable dimensions and are worth noting. Follow the main path, for a little less than 2km up to the end of the tarmac road Pulfero/Podbuniesac- Montefosca/Čarni Varh, a little after the village of Zapatocco/Zapatok. At this point, follow the tarmac road to the left for 1km and without going up towards Calla/Kau go to Goregnavas/Gorenja Vas, an idyllic oasis with terraced fields cultivated with potatoes and beans, interlaced with roses and people who make hay. From here, continuing straight, you are once again on a forest road that in summer is like a real green tunnel. The road enters the deep valley of the Bodrino/Budrin stream; here a few sections have a marvellous view overlooking the Natisone/Nediža (with bench). It is a route that has only recently been completely marked by Cai trail signs. About Halfway through the route there is a junction with a sign for the church of S.Andrea (Saint Andrew) and takes about thirty minutes. Pass the Bodrino/Budrin river over an old stone bridge and you will shortly reach the village of Paceida/ Pačejda and Montefosca/Čarni Varh.