Difficult but panoramic climb up Matajur along the ridge of the Natisone/Nediža valley, and descent along the most traditional route through Savogna/ Sauodnja and the Alberone/Aborna valley.
Description of the route
From S. Pietro al Natisone/Špietar climb to Klančič, then to Mezzana/Mečana and to the hamlets of Rodda Alta/Gorenj Ruonac. From
Tuomaz/Tuomac
take the road to Mersino Alto/Gorenj Marsin. From
Passo Glevizza/Hlevišča arrive at Montemaggiore/
Matajur, with the possibility to climb the highest
mountain of the Natisone valley. Descent from
Tercimonte/Tarčmun and Savogna/Sauodnja.Length
The total length of the route is approximately 42km. Here are the kilometres for each section: S. Pietro al Natisone/ Špietar-Mezzana/Mečana 4.5km; Mezzana/Mečana- Tuomaz/Tuomac 4km; Tuomaz/Tuomac-Medves/ Medvieži approximately 4.5km; Medves/Medvieži- Montemaggiore/Matajur 6.5km; Montemaggiore/ Matajur- Pelizzo Refuge 3.5km; Pelizzo refuge -Tercimonte/Tarčmun 9.5km; Tercimonte/Tarčmun- Savogna/Sauodnja 3km; Savogna/Sauodnja-S. Pietro al Natisone/Špietar 6.5km.
Altitude
Approximately 1280 metres. Altimetry:
S. Pietro al Natisone/Špietar 174m;
Mezzana/Mečana 463m;
Scubina/Skubini 575m;
Medves/Medvieži 785m;
Passo Glevizza/Hlevišče 997m;
Montemaggiore/ Matajur 955m;
Pelizzo Refuge 1325m;
Tercimonte/ Tarčmun 644m;
Savogna/Sauodnja 210m.
Level of dificulty:
Very high as a result of the height.
Take the small tarmac road that is on the left
of the parish church of S. Pietro al Natisone/ Špietar in the direction of Klančič. Arrived at the
col (approximately 500m) near the well-known
Trattoria Le Querce (for gourmets this is worth a
visit when returning), continue on the dirt road on
the left (marked with the red and white Cai trail
sign n°749).
At Makota (approximately 2km), those who are
doing the route on foot can take the alternative
on the right (marked with the red and white Cai
trail sign n°749 A), not taking the dirt road on the
right (this dirt road continues up to Vernassino di
Sopra/Gorenj Barnas). This route leads to Matajur
along the panoramic ridge between the Natisone/
Nediža and the Alberone/Aborna valleys.
Instead, for those who are on mountain bikes
follow the red and white Cai trail sign n°749 up
to Mezzana/Mečana (approximately 2km) and
beyond, always on the dirt road, up to the hamlets
of Rodda Alta/Gorenj Ruonac.
Caution! After 2km from Mezzana/Mečana,
the red and white Cai trail sign n°749 points to
the right towards the ridge - continue straight
following the dirt road! From Scubina/Skubini
(3km from Mezzana/Mečana) the road becomes a tarmac road once again, travel along it to Tuomaz/
Tuomac (approximately 1km) where it turns right
in the direction of Mersino alto/Gorenj Marsin.
Having reached Medves/Medvieži (4.5km), go
uphill towards Ierep/Ierebi and then up to the
picturesque church of San Lorenzo/Sv. Louronac
(Saint Lawrence) (750m.) where there is an
impressive view overlooking the Natisone/Nediža
valley.
Continuing on this after 3km you reach Passo
Glevizza/Hlevišča (on the left, the path marked
with the red and white Cai trail sign n°749 allowsyou to reach Matajur on foot) and then there is a
slight descent to Montemaggiore/Matajur (2.5km).
From Montemaggiore/Matajur climb up (3.5km),
the tarmac road, to the Pelizzo Refuge (1320
metres above sea level) and from here to the top
of Matajur on foot. From Montemaggiore/Matajur
descend using the tarmac road to Vartacia/Vartača
(hotel “Orso Matto”) from where you continue on
flat ground to Tercimonte/Tarčmun (6km from
Montemaggiore/Matajur), here descend along
a dirt road (see itinerary 8, page 82) through
the village of Stefenig/Stiefinči up to Savogna/
Sauodnja (approximately 3km). Descend along
the Alberone/Aborna valley returning to San
Pietro al Natisone/Špietar.
