Cycling in Grado’s lagoon amid swans and flamingos

A Saturday in February, a little sunshine and a desire to get the bikes out and get a little exercise. But where to go? I am reminded of a walk i did some time ago with a friend in the lagoon of Grado and more precisely at Fossalon di Grado in the Valle Cavanata Nature Reserve, where there are various routes to explore both by bike and on foot, admiring the numerous species of aquatic birds to be found there.

Since the days are still short we decide to take advantage of the warmest hours, so we loaded the bikes on the car and took the road from Udine to Grado, halting at Aquileia to eat some fritters at the confectioner’s and to admire the Basilica and majestic bell tower of this UNESCO World Heritage site. At the end of the village of Aquileia, we took the provincial road 91 to the left and continued towards the reserve, which is on the road from Grado to Fossalon. Having arrived at the reserve, we studied the map in front of the visitor centre and saw that there was the possibility of several routes.

We chose to take the Sea Route and, after hopping on our bicycles, we travelled along the road that runs along the southern section of the Averto canal, making several stops to observe and photograph the numerous web-footed birds (mallards, grebes, swans) and waders. After about 2 km, we arrived at an embankment that separates the road from the sea and at a crossroads: going to the right we would continue into the reserve, but we took a left turn and cycled the 5 km to the village of Canèo and the fishing village of Punta Sdobba. Along the way we often stopped at the wooden stairs leading up the embankment to admire the splendid view of the lagoon and on to the Gulf of Trieste and the coast of Istria.

After arriving at the tip of Punta Sdobba we walked through the fishing village, which is very charming thanks to its colourful houses, and went a short distance along the mouth of the Isonzo as far an observation tower from which we enjoyed a beautiful landscape. Going back, we stopped at the visitor centre, where we had our sandwiches in the picnic area and then on foot we followed the visitor centre path, a fine trail 500 metres long that can only be done on foot and only during the opening hours of the centre. Finally, we walked along the valle path, which runs along the northern part of the canal as far as the Sabbia observatory, from which we admired the beautiful visiting flocks of pink flamingos through the telescopes available on site.