This tourist guide cannot and does not want to be an in-depth guide to the events of the First World War in the Natisone Valleys.

Itineraries

The eleven itineraries shown in this guide are not really planned to be done all in a day. The reader will notice that, excluding a few circumstances, the distances and the travelling times are fairly extensive and are indicated for trained excursionists.

These initiatives are to be seen as means of discovering the Natisone valleys and the routes, which unite them to the Isonso valley; it can
therefore be done in sections, or as desired.
Each itinerary should be done either on foot, on horse or by bicycle. These last two methods can easily be adapted to be done on foot; the other way round however is not possible unless it is specifically indicated.

Place of interest

Most of the places of interest in these itineraries can also be reached by car and extensive indications are given. They are indicated:

Map

When doing part of the itinerary not on a tarmac road, it is advisable to use the detailed map Tabacco, with scale 1:25,000, sheet Natisone
valleys – Cividale Del Friuli which also indicates the paths marked by the Italian Alpine Club (otherwise known as Cai trail signs). Names of
places in Slovenia are only written in Slovenian except for historical famous places in which their Italian name is also specified. For places in Italy their name will first be written in Italian and then in their original topographical name in Slovenian (once again consult the map Tabacco 1:25,000 in the bilingual edition edited by the Comunità Montana Valli del Natisone).

Eating and acommodation

The website www.potimiru.org offers an updated list of restaurants and accommodation in the Natisone and Isonso valleys. For places to eat in Italy is it worth trying local places that offer rich and curious local gastronomy which is the result of the combination of influences from Slovenia, Friuli, Italy and other regions of Mitteleuropa; there is specific mention of this on the website. The Isonso valley has now become an established tourist destination. In the Natisone valleys there are however very good hotel offers, holiday homes, alberghi diffusi (an Italian invention that could be described as multi-building hotels) and bed and breakfasts. Using these facilities, the visitor can give an important contribution to the development of tourism in a zone that until now has been disadvantaged by the presence of a border and this will also help to preserve the vast naturalistic, cultural and historical heritage that this tourist guide attempts to present.

Sugestions for those who use mountain bikes

These itineraries are not marked on the territory with any specific signs. For further information, guided excursions and practical advice contact the “Saltainbici” association c/o Franco Rucli, certified Simb (Italian School for Mountain Bikes) instructor tel. 0432/725159, cell. 335/1476381.
Apart from the advised itineraries in this guide, if paths and roads of the area are not well known, it is advisable to use tarmac roads that pass almost all of the most interesting areas from a historical landscape point of view. In general these paths and dirt roads can be used all year round. During the summer however, with the growth of vegetation, a few sections can be difficult to cross. During the winter as a result of frost and snow shadowy areas can become impassable and dangerous. Some downhill area because the gradient and the consistency of the ground have high technical difficulties. These are indicated in the guide. In very steep and difficult sections it is wise to get off the mountain bike and to continue on foot. Always use a helmet and check the working order of your bike. Carry a repair kit and a provision of food and drink.
Always respect the environment and try not to abandon paths and roads. Those on foot always have precedence along paths. Do not paths with useless braking and/or skidding.

This guide has been produced by the Pro Loco “Nediške Doline – Valli del Natisone” and the Don Eugenio Blanchini Association

Project partner:
Province of Udine, Saltainbici Sport Association, Click Idea snc of Bragalini Tatiana & C, Planinska Družina Benečije, Association for Equestrian Tourism in the North-east, Comunità Montana del Torre, del Natisone e del Collio, Fogolar Viaggi, Ustanova “Fundacija Poti Miru v Posočju”

Publishing Editor and Coordinator:
Roberto Pensa

Route Data-collectors:
Matteo Balus, Antonio De Toni, Renato Qualizza, Franco Rucli, Antonietta Spizzo, Ustanova »Fundacija Poti Miru v Posočju«,

Translation:
Laura Frangiamore

Graphic design:
Tuuli Nevasalmi

Ilustrations:
Moreno Tomasetig

Printed in December 2007