Forni Di Sopra: Nature, Trails and Culture

In Forni Di Sopra, alpine nature, wildlife watching and local history stand side by side as distinct highlights. The valley extends from the valley floor through forests and pastures at mid elevations to rocky peaks, and lies within the Parco Naturale delle Dolomiti Friulane.

Landscape and Wildlife Watching

The Sentiero Truoi dai Sclops passes sheer rock faces, alpine meadows and forest vegetation. Rare or endemic flowers grow at high elevations; the trail also passes through the habitats of ibex and chamois. This route therefore offers a focus on both plant life and alpine wildlife, without promising sightings of any particular animals.

The five-hectare Area Faunistica Parulana is located in the Parco delle Dolomiti Friulane and offers the opportunity to observe lynxes, foxes, deer and owls. Sightings are not guaranteed. Two visit formats are offered at the site: a leisurely tour lasting about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and a 2-hour-and-30-minute visit focusing on biodiversity. Program details may change; check the current offering before your visit.

Activities and Timeframes

The Dolomiti Adventure Park has 11 elevated courses featuring Tibetan bridges, walkways and zip lines. The number may change with future updates. The park also has the Powerfan, a 15-meter-high free fall jump. These park activities are quite different from the longer routes in the surrounding area.

The Ferrata Adventure Climb Varmost is a via ferrata on Clap Varmost. Starting from the chairlift’s upper station in the hamlet of Som Picol, it takes three to four hours. At the beginning, the route passes through a canyon section; it also includes a suspended Tibetan bridge. Check the exact route conditions before attempting it. A longer option is the route to Bivacco Marchi-Granzotto: it starts and ends at the Ponte Giaf parking area and takes six to eight hours.

The first section of the Varmost chairlift goes up to Som Picol, at an elevation of 1,450 meters. From there, the Som Picol mountain hut is accessible; it serves typical cuisine from Forni di Sopra. Chairlift operations and the hut’s seasonal opening arrangements may change. Check operating hours and opening dates for your travel dates in advance.

Cultural Trails and Local Heritage

The Ecomuseo Fornese is an open-air museum established through collaboration among residents, showcasing the area’s tangible and intangible heritage. This includes a water-themed walk from the hamlet of Vico along the Tagliamento into the natural environment of the Dolomiti Friulane. The trail passes streams, cascades and artesian springs. Another nature trail belonging to the Ecomuseo, the Sentiero dei Bambini, is 400 meters long and has 20 stations where visitors can interact directly with nature.

The 17th-century Ciasa dai Fornés houses the Museo Il Filo dei Ricordi. Its exhibits include agricultural tools and products made using traditional natural textile processing of wool, hemp and linen, as well as plant dyes. Opening arrangements may change; check them before visiting. The tradition of scarpéts refers to Carnic shoes made of embroidered velvet and crafted entirely by hand.

The ruins of Castello di Sacuidic lie within the municipality of Forni Di Sopra, near an ancient road and a ford across the Tagliamento. The castle is dated to around the end of the 12th century. The Chiesa di San Floriano in the hamlet of Cella is a national monument on a rocky spur overlooking the Tagliamento. The church houses frescoes by Gianfrancesco da Tolmezzo and an altarpiece by Bellunello. The altarpiece is an eight-panel polyptych bearing a signature and the date 1480.

Religious history is also part of the area’s cultural character: a votive oratory built in 1515 and associated with the Santuario Madonna della Salute became a destination for numerous pilgrims. Together with the church artworks and traces of the medieval Castello, this theme offers a different focus from nature trails and wildlife watching.

Discover more destinations: Sedegliano, Treppo Grande, Sella Nevea, Caporiacco, Nimis, Lusevera, Cepletischis, Remanzacco.

For the wider travel overview: Udine.