Carnia is one of the most beautiful Alpine regions in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with its enchanting landscapes of alpine lakes, peaks , and waterfalls, which frame picturesque villages and ancient parish churches.
Here, there are many places to visit, from Mount Zoncolan to the remote village of Sauris up to Forni di Sopra : this is considered not only one of the Authentic Villages of Italy but is also a much-loved tourist destination in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
It cannot be considered to all intents and purposes a scattered municipality, even if the municipality for example, as well as the parish church, are located in two different fractions of Forni di Sopra, namely Vico and Cella.
Summer in Forni di Sopra
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Forni di Sopra is a Friulian village located at 907 m above sea level , in the heart of the splendid Alpine region of Carnia: it dominates the lush Tagliamento Valley and is located between the border with Veneto and the Mauria Pass.
Discover the best offers to spend a summer holiday in the best alpine chalets and cabins in the Dolomites, the best structures immersed in the heart of the Dolomites with a typical alpine style
A large part of the municipal territory of Forni di Sopra falls within the Natural Park of the Friulian Dolomites, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009: surrounding it, as if it were a gem set in a natural crown, are peaks such as Cla Savon, Monfalconi, the Cridola, the Pramaggiore, the Bivera Mountains and finally the Cla Varmost.
The latter is a real ski area which, thanks to chairlifts 1 and 2, allows you to reach Malga Varmost at 1750 m above sea level , from which some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the area start.
In summer, Forni di Sopra is a destination that satisfies both nature lovers and sports enthusiasts : there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, from Nordic walking to climbing and paragliding.
Mountain bike enthusiasts will have many trails at their disposal, from those starting from Malga Varmost to the “Gravity Bike Park”, where Downhill and Enduro championships are even held.
You can also pedal on the "Grande Tagliamento Mountain Bike Ring" where, over a length of about 30 km, dirt roads alternate with clearings that run along the course of the Tagliamento river for most of the route.
Il Old Town di Forni di Sopra is graceful and authentic, among the colorful murals created by Marino Spadavecchia and the typical barn houses that have the lower part in stone and the upper one in wood, complete with external wooden stairs and balconies.
Strolling through the village, you'll encounter particularly ancient buildings such as Casa De Pauli, Casa Munic, and Casa Dai Fornés, dating back to the 600th century and home to the "Museo Filo dei Ricordi." This museum, through agricultural and weaving objects, tells the story of the village and the main economic activities of the era. The collection of scarpéts, the traditional hand-embroidered velvet shoes, is particularly beautiful.
Inside the 19th-century Casina Di Vîc is the "Museo Rurale Fornese," dedicated to the ethnographic and cultural heritage of Forni di Sopra. A visit to the museum allows visitors to observe the rural environments of the past, such as the carpentry shop, the room with the boilers where milk was processed, and the kitchen.
In the hamlet of Cella are the village's two churches, namely the Parish Church of S. Maria Assunta and the fifteenth-century Church of San Floriano , inside which is preserved a beautiful polyptych depicting San Floriano himself, the work of “Bellunello”.
In the other hamlet of Andrazza, you can visit the remains of the ancient Sacuidic Castle : the manor, built in the 12th century on the banks of the Tagliamento River, was literally burned to the ground in 1200 by the Savorgnani to put an end to the clandestine mint that had established itself inside. Many finds on the site point to this illegal activity, including coins, ingots, metal, and arrowheads.
A summer vacation in Forni di Sopra is sure to please even families with children, thanks to the "Fantasy Park" and the "Pineta Playground ," where all the play equipment is nestled in an idyllic natural setting, between a lake and coniferous forests. There are also soccer fields and the "Argentovivo" trail for physical and mental well-being.
What to do and what to see
Forni di Sopra is the perfect starting point for excursions and exploring the lush surrounding countryside, starting with the Parulana Wildlife Area . Located in the heart of the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park, the animals inhabit fenced areas far from humans and other sources of disturbance, so much so that binoculars are needed to spot them from the park's walkways.
A small stream crosses the entire wildlife area, in order to provide the animals with a source of natural and safe water, the quality of which is certified by the presence of crayfish.
From Malga Varmost , located at 1756 m above sea level, a series of paths start, such as the Percorso a Clap Varmost : this rocky peak, very similar to the keel of a boat, can be reached by following what in winter are ski slopes, among pastures, larch forests and clearings.
Then there's the Caposassi Trail , which leads to the Casera Lavazeit hut at 1813 meters above sea level. The trail is well marked and offers magnificent views of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Ampezzo Dolomites, and the Friulian Dolomites.
Among the routes that can be done starting from Malga Varmost there is the one that leads to the mountain ridge that connects Crusicalas and Monte Simon and then the Giro delle Malghe di Forni.
This excursion winds its way with the Monfalconi Group and the La Suita Lakes as a constant backdrop: you arrive at the Casina Tartoi at 1711 m. high, then to Casera Tragonia at 1780 m. high: from here you can go down to Forni di Sopra via path no. 209, or continue to the vault of the Malga Montemaggiore bivouac, via CAI path no. 211.
Then there is the Sentiero delle Genzianelle that starts from the Giaff Refuge, reachable via CAI trail 346 from the Mauria Pass: you cross the Forcella Urtisiel, pass the Casera Valbino and arrive at the Campuros meadows, before reaching the scenic Forcella dell'Inferno, from which the view of the Dolomites is incredible.
The excursion that leads to the Pacherini refuge at 1587 m is also very beautiful. high and the more demanding one which promises to reach Monte Clapsavonf via path no. 210, from whose summit the view sweeps over the Turi Glacier, the Eastern Dolomites and even the sea, when the sky is particularly clear.
Holidays in Forni di Sopra
A holiday is synonymous with relaxation and having plenty of time available allows tourists to fully experience this location, also getting to know its culture and traditions through summer events such as the “Spring Herb Festival”.
In the past, the Habsburg Empire and the Serenissima Republic of Venice used to get their supplies from Forni di Sopra with herbs, for gastronomic or pharmaceutical purposes: this colorful festival takes place in the month of July and offers visitors the opportunity to take part in walks to discover the smallest secrets of these vegetable gems.
Having time also means being able to enjoy a hearty lunch of typical Carnia delicacies , not just nibbling on something fleeting during excursions or travels: among the typical delicacies not to be missed are the Pitino PGI salami, Musèt e Brovade, Sclopit soup, cjarsòns ravioli, and the ever-present frico.
Forni di Sopra offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit all tastes: family-run guesthouses, hotels, wellness centers, holiday apartments, and camping sites are available for those who want to immerse themselves in the pristine nature of the splendid Tagliamento Valley.
photo credits: shutterstock
Summer holidays Forni di Sopra
If you are considering a summer holiday in Forni di Sopra, below you will find some useful links to find hotels and holiday apartments.
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