Chiusaforte: Fortress, Waterfalls and Nature Trails

Topics for a trip to Chiusaforte range from the fortress and its military history to waterfall trails, nature trails and winter sports at the Sella Nevea ski resort. For planning, it helps to distinguish between these highlights. If you are looking for hotels in Chiusaforte, you can first decide whether culture, nature, cycling or winter sports will shape your stay.

Fortress and Military History

Since the Middle Ages, Chiusaforte was home to a customs station of the Patriarchate of Aquileia. Chiusaforte Fortress was built in 1904 and put into operation shortly afterwards. The complex still contains visible casemates, a kitchen, storage rooms, officers’ quarters, barracks, a workshop and a power plant. In addition to the military complex, the rooms illustrate areas used for supplies, accommodation and work.

The permanent exhibition Memorie della Canal del Ferro offers another perspective on soldiers’ lives. It is housed in the former Zucchi barracks in Chiusaforte and displays ammunition, soldiers’ personal equipment, and materials about their food and life at the front. The Costa Curnic artillery battery was planned with four 75 mm steel guns to support Chiusaforte Fortress.

Access to the battery leads from the first bridgehead over the Rio Raccolana, on provincial road SP76 towards Sella Nevea, via CAI trail 632 towards Rifugio Gilberti. After about 1 hour and 40 minutes on foot, the trail reaches a military road. This time estimate refers to the section up to the road.

Waterfalls and Nature Trails

The Chiusaforte waterfall map shows the locations of 13 waterfalls, providing an overview for planning. At Fontanone di Goriuda, the focus is on a specific route: it passes through a protected rocky grotto close to the spray and offers a special view into the waterfall. The map provides orientation, while the route describes the experience at Fontanone.

The hiking route to Raunis and the waterfalls of the Belepeit stream starts and ends at Chiusaforte town hall. Its starting and return point is therefore clearly specified. This differs from the Fontanone route, whose description highlights the grotto and the view into the waterfall.

The MIRABILA – Sentiero botanico del Bila Pec botanical trail is one of the routes in the municipality of Chiusaforte. The Foran dal Mus geological trail offers an experience of the extraordinary geological features in the highest part of the Canin massif. Here, you can distinguish between a botanical focus and geological topics.

Cycling, Bus and Winter Sports

Stazione di Chiusaforte is accessible both from the Ciclovia Alpe Adria and from the town. Seasonal offers may change; check the latest information from the operators in advance. Bus route 191 connects Chiusaforte with Sella Nevea. Check the timetable for possible changes before travelling. At the Sella Nevea ski resort, the slopes offer freeriding, snowboarding and alpine skiing; operating conditions vary by season.

There is also a specific route to the fortress: the access road branches off near the Ponte Peraria railway tunnel and climbs Col Badin. As road conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Pozzuolo del Friuli, Stregna, Nimis, Manzano, Attimis, Magnano In Riviera, Tarvisio, Povoletto.

Go to the main travel overview: Udine.