What better way to get to know Friuli Venezia Giulia than to start from its roof?! The Traversata Carnica or Trans-Carnia trail is a mountain route about 180 km long that starts in San Candido in the Trentino Alto Adige region, crosses the mountains of the Veneto and arrives in Friuli Venezia Giulia, following the whole range of the Carnic and Julian Alps before crossing the border with Austria. The arrival point is Coccau, a small village near Tarvisio, at a crossroads of peoples and nations. In this small area, various languages ??and traditions from three different countries blend together: Italy, Austria and Slovenia.

Walking it all is quite a task, or it was for me at least. If all those kilometres seem too much, you can “satisfy” yourself with just the 100 km in Friuli, starting at Lago Volaia, or you can decide to follow just a few stages. For sure, you will fill your heart with magnificent wilderness views, places full of history and living nature, and I’m sure you will have the opportunity also to spot some animals in their habitat. And in the various huts and malghe (dairies) you will come across, you will certainly not miss the opportunity to sample unique dishes boasting simple, genuine flavours, in some of them you can also take a rest and have a chat.

You could do it as a challenge or to relax, alone or in company, to lose or find yourself, do it fast or slow, walking or, as I chose, running. In any case, try now to close your eyes and imagine being in the midst of our wonderful mountains. If you like the idea, there is no other solution but to make a start. One day I hope to meet you and maybe follow a bit of this trail together.