By bicycle from Udine to Grado

Bike

1 May 2017

Bike

By bicycle from Udine to Grado

Here is the dream of those who love cycling: being able to ride for long distances, on a route reserved for them. All this is possible thanks to the Alpe Adria - FVG1 cycle path, voted best cycling route in Europe, which connects the Austrian city of Salzburg to the seaside at Grado.

The Grado pinewoods In these photos, you can see some of the areas the cycle path crosses between Udine and Grado. There are many signs and it is almost impossible to lose yourself. In any case, I suggest you get an app that allows you to follow the route using GPS. The trail makes use of asphalt roads, dirt tracks and cycle paths. I use an MTB, but a touring bike is fine.

Just outside Udine to the south, heading for the sea at Grado. Once you reach Grado, you can take other cycle and footpaths like the FVG 2, which links Trieste to Lignano, although in this case, you have to pedal on roads open to traffic (but little-used). For those who decide to start from Udine and spend some time in nature but have no intention of returning to Udine by bike, the SAF bus company offers the possibility of loading the bicycle on to a special shuttle. The service is only available on weekends, with departure from Grado at 3 p.m.

Near the star-shaped town of Palmanova I have used the service myself a couple of times, and I found it very good. You just have to keep the timetable in mind as you distract yourself among the many artistic and natural beauties you come across along the way between Udine and Grado: the star-shaped town of Palmanova and its ramparts, Aquileia with its basilica and Roman forum, the historic centre of Grado, its seaside promenade and the lagoon, the wild and isolated Val Cavanata, with its amazing fauna.