Venzone, Malborghetto and Sutrio - 3 alpine villages to visit in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Venzone is a charming village nestled at the foot of the Julian Pre-Alps Natural Park and on the banks of the Tagliamento Alpine River. It is one of “Borghi Più Belli d’Italia” (most beautiful villages in Italy), and rightly so, as I discovered during my stay there! 

Top 5 - Not to be missed

• A stroll in the charming historical center
• Admiring the color of the Padulin springs
• Walking on the hills around the city
• Visiting the artisanal soap factory
• FOOD/WINE - Dolcemente Venzone cake

Most people will probably remember Venzone for a really sad event - the 1976 earthquake, that destroyed most of the village. Nowadays it’s a symbol of rebirth for the entire region after this terrible catastrophe.

After the earthquake, the inhabitants of Venzone rolled up their sleeves and rebuilt the village stone by stone to recreate the medieval look and feel, patiently numbering all the different elements to put them back in the same place. A truly impressive feat, worthy of respect and making this stunning village even more incredible.

Walking through the pretty alleys of Venzone, it was hard to imagine that such a terrible disaster event could have taken place, even if some ruins were left on purpose in memory of the day and to pay homage to all those who died, were injured, and lost their houses.

Venzone is really charming and has some very beautiful sights that are worth a visit - I recommend checking out the town hall in Venetian Gothic style, the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, the Chapel of San Michele where you can see mummies in the crypt and the walls.

However, don’t just stick to the center of Venzone - there’s plenty of nature to enjoy all around the village. If you are willing to walk a bit, a good option could be the interesting Sentiero delle Chiesette (little churches path), an easy 2.5 km loop path connecting little churches and chapels on the outskirts of the village.

You will also enjoy beautiful panoramas along the way - to make matters even better, the path is only a few minutes from the center, and it’s ideal for families. I found it very pleasant!

There’s another curious place to see just outside the city - the Pradulin springs, near the Tagliamento river. The springs form crystal-clear lakes that are really worth seeing! Sport fishing is allowed for amateurs.

In Venzone you’ll also find the perfect place for a delicious stop - the Pasticceria d'Altri Tempi is a wonderful pastry shop where everything is home-made, not just pastries but also ice creams and even ice cream cones! The ice creams are great, but I also recommend trying the Dolcemente Venzone pie, made with almonds and… I won’t reveal the other ingredients, you’ll have to visit to find out!

If you are looking for a special souvenir, don't miss a visit to the soap factory I Profumi del Bosco, run by a passionate couple who will be delighted to show you how they make their soaps. It will be difficult to choose which one to bring back, the choice of deliciously scented soaps is really wide!

Venzone - Useful information

Best time to visit:
Although Venzone can be visited all year round, Spring, Summer and early Autumn are certainly the most favorable seasons.

How to get there:
Venzone is located 35km from Udine and is easily reached by highway. The village also has a train station, and can be reached by train and bus. 

Malborghetto-Valbruna is a village in Val Canale, located at 720 m above sea level and in the northern part of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The village is located at the foot of the Julian Alps, making it a pleasant place to enjoy beautiful walks in the area.

Top 5 - Not to be missed

• Discovering the village of Malborghetto
• Coffee and a pastry at Il dolce di Irma
• Walking the Forest Soundtrack
• Exploring Fusine Lake
• FOOD/WINE - Montasio cheese from Malga Montasio

The village of Malborghetto is tiny but very cute, with beautiful colourful houses and a beautiful Venetian palace from the 16th century. I also liked the paintings of animals on the walls of the village, the work of a local artist.

A few kilometers away, in the neighboring village of Valbruna, don't hesitate to allow yourself a delicious break at the café I Dolci di Irma, a lovely café with all kinds of tempting pastries.

In Malborghetto you can hike along a truly unique trail - the Forest Soundtrack. Why this name? Simply because the trail takes you through forests whose trees are particularly well suited to the manufacture of high-quality musical instruments. The spruce trees you’ll see along the way produce wood with really high-level resonance characteristics, making them ideal for violins.

Along the way, explanatory panels are provided to learn more about the wood and their use in violin making. In some areas of the trail there are also interesting relics from the First World War.

The trail is 5.5 km one way from the center of Valbruna, but can be shortened if desired by starting from different locations - it’s 4 km from Saisera Hutte, 2.7 km from Agriturismo Prati Oitzinger, or 1.8 km from Locanda al Montasio. 

About 20 km from Malborghetto you can pay a visit to the Fusine Lakes, which are without a doubt one of my favourite places in the Alps. There are two lakes: a lower and an upper lake, quite different from each other. You can walk around them - it’s a good way to switch off while enjoying the truly stunning scenery.

I had the chance to visit them in autumn, and saw the colours of the trees reflecting on the magnificent blue surface of the lake... What a show!

Malborghetto is also known for the production of Montasio cheese, a cooked cheese made from cow's milk. Montasio has a protected designation of origin, meaning it can only be produced locally. This cheese is used in frico, a Friulian specialty that you must try!

To buy Montasio directly from a producer, go to the Malga Montasio in Sella Nevea (35 km from Malborghetto). The place is beautiful, and it's also a good opportunity to go for a walk in the area!

Malborghetto - Useful information

Best time to visit:
Malborghetto is located at a high altitude, so it's best to visit in late Spring, Summer and early Autumn. I particularly liked the beautiful Autumn colors, but you should know that many hotels and restaurants are already closed at the end of September.

How to get there:
Malborghetto-Valbruna is located 83km north of Udine. It can be reached by car but also by bus. 

Sutrio is a pretty little village located in the Valcalda Valley, in Carnia, in the north of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Sutrio is located at the foot of Mount Zoncolan, a peak of the Carnic Pre-Alps at 1750 meters above sea level, famous for being one of hardest stages of the Giro d'Italia, as well as being a popular ski resort in the area in winter.

Top 5 - Not to be missed

• Discovering the village of Sutrio
• Hiking the Carnic Alps
• Going horse riding
• Riding a bike through the Panorama delle Vette
• FOOD/WINE - cjarsons

The center of Sutrio is small but charming, with stone houses and colorful facades. It's worth stopping by for a stroll.

During your time in Sutrio, don’t forget to taste cjarsons, a typical Carnia dish. It is a kind of ravioli stuffed with cinnamon potatoes, raisins and various herbs. An amazing sweet and sour dish for which every family in the region has a recipe! To buy excellent ones, go to 921 Zovello, less than 10 km from Sutrio. This mother and daughter's cjarsons have already won several awards!

It's impossible to come here without enjoying the surrounding mountains, so I put on my hiking boots and went for a walk, to my great pleasure! I strongly advise you to do the same, the Carnic Alps are beautiful and very peaceful, really far from mass tourism. It is a very pleasant way to spend a day!

I went to Monte Paularo with my guide Lorenzo, and enjoyed a very nice 8 km hike that allowed me to admire beautiful landscapes. The view from the top of Monte Paularo, at 2043m above sea level, is magnificent, but you’ll get sublime views during the entire ascent and descent. I really loved it, especially since I was lucky enough to be there in time for splendid autumn colours.

I also recommend going with a guide - their rates are affordable, and it’s the perfect way to have even more fun. There will be need to worry about going the right way, and you will also benefit from interesting explanations on the region.

If you like horse riding, make sure you book a ride with Bram's Ranch in Paularo. I spent a wonderful day there with Daniele, with incredible views of the surrounding peaks of the Carnic Alps. The mare I was given was adorable, perfect for riders of all levels.

The itinerary included a trail through the forest, river crossings and a good gallop through the fields, what more could you ask for?

Sutrio - Useful information

Best time to visit: 
Unless you want to come specifically for winter sports, the best time to visit Sutrio and the surrounding area is late Spring, Summer, and early Autum.

How to get there: 
The easiest way to get to Sutrio is really by car. Sometimes, it is also possible to come by bus depending on the place of departure. 

Author: Laurène Philippot - Blog Carnet d'escapades