Lago Volaia. In the heart of the Alps

Active Slow Tour

14 August 2018

Active Slow Tour

Lago Volaia. In the heart of the Alps

Why do I like going to the mountains? Because every time it’s like the first time. Mountains are never the same. Peaks, valleys and paths have a lot to tell and show us. It changes so much, that for example this place at 2000 m above sea level was once beneath the sea. I am on the shore of Lake Volaia, in the Carnic Alps. A wonderful place, reachable in about 2 hours along the easy path numbered 144 that leaves from the Tolazzi mountain hut in Collina di Forni Avoltri (UD). This is a great trail for breathing mountain air even for my brother and sister-in-law, who re not fit walkers, but were able to accompany me on this excursion. It is true that around 400 million years have passed since these rocks were covered by the sea, but even today it is still possible to see some fossils that testify to its presence, thanks to the routes of the cross-border Geopark of the Carnic Alps. For this reason, the area of ??Passo Volaia (the lake itself is just over the border in Austria), is geologically one of the hundred most interesting places in the world. Today, it is a very cold and snow-covered place for most of the year. But when the white blanket melts, nature in addition to its beauty also reveals all the softer side of this territory, enabling us to admire a beautiful lake in the shape of a heart. You can walk along the shores of the lake and photograph it from every angle. You can also see the fish in the lake, and the shore is the ideal place to have a packed lunch and lighten the backpack. Nearby there are also two mountain huts where you can rest while drinking a good beer or whatever you prefer. One is in Italy and the other in Austria. It’s full summer. If you want to escape from the heat of the city, Lake Volaia is a pleasant destination that refreshes body and spirit. And here, Carnia will reveal its heart to you.