Then, by chance, you enjoy a gentle walk in the Bosco of Plessiva without even knowing how you got there. Looking for a nameless crystal-clear torrent, glimpsed while wandering around on a motorbike. “We'll be back!” And: “Let's go and find the entrance or the passage!” And instead of finding the path leading to the torrent, you see a sign that says “Bosco di Plessiva”.

In front of you lies an endless expanse of trees and vines. You turn, leaving Corno di Rosazzo and Cormons behind and move on, with Slovenia ahead. The parking lot is large and there are even some clean public toilets, picnic spaces, areas for children. There is a silence and a regenerating calm, and apart from some cyclists coming from the direction of the former customs, there were only the three of us and an elderly couple in love.

Hand in hand, taking opposite directions, we followed the easy paths through this forest and met up along the way. The Bosco di Plessiva recalls the Risorgive di Codroipo (Codroipo springs): a path, children’s playgrounds, noticeboards with a map and information on flora and fauna.

The difference is that the Bosco di Plessiva also incorporates an old military fortress that has now become a lair for many small and large animals, a bed for flowers, blackcurrants and roots. The trail is 80% in the shade and the climbs gentle, accessible to children as well. You can choose how much to climb and how long to walk: there are 33 hectares open to exploration.

The notices state that dogs must be on a leash and even though we are alone, we have kept our Alaskan malamute on a cord. I do not know if this obligation is respected by everyone: for us it was a matter of respect for the environment and for the protection of our dog. Because all around, we found evident traces of wild boar, roe deer and foxes: all creatures with which our malamute would certainly have had a “discussion”.

Going back, we decided to follow the path along the river: the vegetation is Romantic in the classic literary meaning of the term. Gradations of green (from moss to emerald, from acid to dull), wild flowers with long stems and fine petals, lilac and chamomile.

An hour of peace. We recommend this route also to families with children and pushchairs because the path is not rough, the slope is minimal and stops are scattered everywhere along the way with tables and benches. The only things missing are water fountains (but the children’s areas have them) and a few more bins. I therefore urge you to keep any rubbish in your backpack and then put it in the right bins when you get back.

I hope you enjoy your walk in the Bosco di Plessiva!