THE 10 BEST MOTORCYCLE ROUTES IN FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA: FROM THE CARNIC ALPS TO THE ADRIATIC SEA

Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the most underrated regions in Italy for motorcycle touring. Yet, it encompasses everything a motorcyclist could wish for: breathtaking alpine passes, panoramic roads on the Carso, medieval villages, fine wines, and the sea.
In less than two hours you can go from the tight bends of the Zoncolan to the rolling hills of the Collio, from the borders with Austria and Slovenia to the golden beaches of Lignano. And all this with lightly trafficked roads, spectacular views and a unique culture that blends Italian, Austrian, Slovenian and Friulian traditions.
In this article, we take you on a journey to discover the 10 best motorcycle routes in Friuli Venezia Giulia , tested and recommended by motorcyclists who know every curve of this extraordinary land.

1. MONTE ZONCOLAN AND OVERVIEW OF THE PEAKS

Distance: ~120 km (loop)
Difficulty: High (tight curves, challenging inclines)
Road type: Excellent asphalt, technical curves
Departure/Arrival: Tolmezzo

The path / The route / The course

The Zoncolan is legendary in cycling—and also for motorcyclists. With gradients up to 22%, hairpin bends and 360° views of the Carnic Alps, this climb is an absolute must.
Main stages:
  • Tolmezzo – Starting point, capital of Carnia
  • Ovaro – Alpine village with a medieval castle
  • Climb to Zoncolan – 10 km of breathtaking curves up to 1,750 m above sea level
  • Panoramic View of the Peaks – A spectacular road connecting Zoncolan to Ravascletto
  • Forni di Sopra – Lunch break with authentic Carnian cuisine
  • I'm returning to Tolmezzo via Ampezzo.

Because it's unmissable.

  • Technical and fun curves
  • Spectacular Alpine Views
  • Little traffic (except during the Giro d'Italia)
  • Possibility to continue towards Austria or Slovenia

Advice / Recommendation / Council

Avoid the weekends of July-August if you want to enjoy the curves without traffic. Bring a jacket: it's cool even in summer at 1,750 m.

2. SELLA CHIANZUTAN AND PASSO PURA

Distance: ~100 km (loop)
Difficulty: Medium
Road type: Good asphalt, fast curves
Departure/Arrival: Tolmezzo

The path / The route / The course

A route immersed in the forests of the Carnic Alps, with smooth curves and wild panoramas.
Main stages:
  • Tolmezzo
  • Sella Chianzutan (1,700 m) – Panoramic pass with views of the Friulian Dolomites
  • Passo Pura (1,425 m) – Narrow and winding road through the woods
  • Paularo – Mountain village with excellent restaurants
  • I'm going back to Tolmezzo.

Because it's unmissable.

  • Little-known and lightly trafficked roads.
  • Fast and fun curves
  • Authentic Alpine Landscapes

3. MONTE CROCE CARNICO PASS AND THE AUSTRIAN BORDER

Distance: ~150 km (round trip)
Difficulty: Medium
Road type: Excellent asphalt, wide curves
Departure/Arrival: Tolmezzo or Udine

The path / The route / The course

A classic cross-border route that leads to Austria through one of the most historic mountain passes in the Alps.
Main stages:
  • Tolmezzo
  • Paluzza – A Carnic village with a castle
  • Timau – The last Italian village before the border.
  • Monte Croce Carnico Pass (1,360 m) – Italy-Austria border
  • Kötschach-Mauthen (Austria) – Lunch break in Austria
  • Return via Pontebba and Tarvisio (optional)

Because it's unmissable.

  • Scenic road with sweeping curves
  • Possibility of continuing in Austria
  • History of the Great War (museums and fortifications)

4. THE TRIESTINE KARST AND THE SLOVENE BORDER

Distance: ~120 km (loop)
Difficulty: Low
Road type: Good asphalt, gentle curves
Departure/Arrival: Trieste

The path / The route / The course

A fascinating itinerary between the sea, the Karst plateau and the Slovenian border, with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Trieste.
Main stages:
  • Trieste – A border city rich in history
  • Prosecco – Village on the Carso with sea view
  • Opicina – Karst Plateau
  • San Martino del Carso – A symbolic place of the Great War
  • Slovenian border – Crossing towards Lipica (Slovenia)
  • Postojna Caves (optional, Slovenia)
  • Returning to Trieste via Monrupino

Because it's unmissable.

  • Views of the sea and the plateau
  • Unique Central European culture
  • Possibility of continuing in Slovenia
  • Excellent seafood restaurants in Trieste

5. COLLIO AND EASTERN HILLS: AMONG VINEYARDS AND VILLAGES

Distance: ~80 km (loop)
Difficulty: Low
Road type: Good asphalt, gentle curves
Departure/Arrival: Cividale del Friuli or Cormons

The path / The route / The course

A relaxing itinerary through the vine-covered hills of Collio and Colli Orientali, with stops for food and wine tastings and visits to medieval villages.
Main stages:
  • Cividale del Friuli – UNESCO World Heritage Site, Devil's Bridge
  • Prepotto – Vineyards and wineries
  • Cormons – Capital of the Collio
  • Dolegna del Collio – Views of the Vineyards
  • Gorizia – Border city with Nova Gorica (Slovenia)
  • Returning to Cividale

Because it's unmissable.

  • Picture-postcard hilly landscapes
  • Tastings of fine white wines (Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia)
  • Authentic medieval villages
  • Excellent Friulian cuisine

Advice / Recommendation / Council

Perfect for a relaxing Sunday outing. Book a winery tasting.

6. FRIULIAN DOLOMITES AND VAL CELLINA

Distance: ~150 km (loop)
Difficulty: Medium
Road type: Good asphalt, tight curves in some sections.
Departure/Arrival: Pordenone or Maniago

The path / The route / The course

A spectacular itinerary through canyons, lakes and the Friulian Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Main stages:
  • Maniago – City of Knives
  • Barcis – Turquoise lake surrounded by mountains
  • Poffabro – One of the most beautiful villages in Italy
  • Cimolais – Gateway to the Friulian Dolomites
  • Piancavallo – Ski resort with panoramic views
  • I'm going back to Maniago.

Because it's unmissable.

  • Breathtaking Dolomite landscapes
  • Lake Barcis with turquoise waters
  • Scenic roads with little traffic.

7. PALMANOVA AND THE NAPOLEONIC ROAD

Distance: ~100 km (loop)
Difficulty: Low
Road type: Excellent asphalt, straight and fast roads
Departure/Arrival: Udine

The path / The route / The course

A historical and cultural itinerary through fortresses, Venetian villas, and the famous Napoleonic Road.
Main stages:
  • Udine – Capital of Friuli, castle and elegant squares
  • Palmanova – Star-shaped fortress city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Napoleon Road (SS 252) – A straight road built by Napoleon.
  • Aquileia – Roman archaeological site, UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Grado – Lagoon island with golden beaches
  • I'm going back to Udine.

Because it's unmissable.

  • Palmanova is unique in the world (a perfect star-shaped fortress)
  • Roman History in Aquileia
  • Possibility of swimming in the sea in Grado

8. THREE-NATION RING: ITALY, SLOVENIA, AUSTRIA

Distance: ~200 km (loop)
Difficulty: Medium-High
Road type: Good asphalt, technical curves
Departure/Arrival: Tarvisio or Pontebba

The path / The route / The course

A cross-border itinerary that crosses three nations in one day, with alpine passes and spectacular landscapes.
Main stages:
  • Tarvisio – A Border Town
  • Predil Pass (1,156 m) – Italy-Slovenia border
  • Bovec (Slovenia) – Isonzo Valley
  • Vršič Pass (Slovenia, 1,611 m) – One of the most beautiful passes in the Alps
  • Kranjska Gora (Slovenia) – Ski resort
  • Austria border – Returning to Italy via Austria
  • I'm returning to Tarvisio.

Because it's unmissable.

  • Three nations in one day
  • Vršič Pass: 50 breathtaking hairpin bends
  • Spectacular Alpine Landscapes

Advice / Recommendation / Council

Bring your passport or identity card. Check that your insurance covers Slovenia and Austria.

9. VAL AUPA AND SELLA NEVEA

Distance: ~100 km (loop)
Difficulty: Medium
Road type: Good asphalt, tight curves
Departure/Arrival: Pontebba or Tarvisio

The path / The route / The course

An alpine itinerary through wild valleys and panoramic passes.
Main stages:
  • Pontebba
  • Val Aupa – Narrow and spectacular valley
  • Sella Nevea (1,190 m) – Ski resort with a view of the Julian Alps
  • Chiusaforte – Alpine village
  • Returning to Pontebba

Because it's unmissable.

  • Val Aupa: one of the most beautiful valleys in Friuli
  • Little traffic, wild nature

10. LIGNANO SABBIADORO AND THE MARANO LAGOON

Distance: ~80 km (loop)
Difficulty: Low
Road type: Excellent asphalt, flat roads
Departure/Arrival: Lignano Sabbiadoro

The path / The route / The course

A relaxing itinerary among the sea, lagoon, and fishing villages—perfect for a summer day.
Main stages:
  • Lignano Sabbiadoro – Golden beaches and pine forests
  • Marano Lagunare – A fishing village with colorful houses
  • Aquileia – Roman archaeological site
  • Grado – Lagoon Island
  • Returning to Lignano

Because it's unmissable.

  • Relax at the beach after driving
  • Excellent seafood cuisine
  • Unique lagoon landscapes

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MOTORCYCLING IN FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA

When to go

  • Spring (April-June): Ideal temperatures, little traffic, lush nature.
  • Summer (July-August): Hot in the plains, cool in the mountains, more traffic.
  • Autumn (September-October): Spectacular colors, grape harvest, perfect weather.

What to bring

✅ Layered jacket (it's cool in the mountains even in summer)
✅ High-visibility jacket (mandatory in some neighboring countries)
✅ Passport or identity card (for cross-border itineraries)
✅ Green Card insurance (recommended for Slovenia and Austria)

Where to eat

Friuli Venezia Giulia is a gastronomic paradise:
  • Frico (melted cheese with potatoes)
  • Gubana (a typical dessert with dried fruit)
  • San Daniele ham
  • White wines from Collio and Colli Orientali
  • Fresh fish in Trieste, Grado, Lignano

Where to sleep

  • Tolmezzo/Carnia: The perfect base for alpine itineraries
  • Udine: A strategic center for exploring the entire region.
  • Trieste: Ideal for the Carso region and the Slovenian border.
  • Lignano: Perfect for the sea and relaxation

CONCLUSION: FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA AWAITS YOU

Friuli Venezia Giulia is a region that surprises. Every bend in the road reveals a new landscape, every village tells a story, every dish is an experience. From the Carnic Alps to the Adriatic Sea, from the vineyards of Collio to the borders with Slovenia and Austria, this land offers itineraries for every type of motorcyclist.
Whether you're looking for technical climbs on the Zoncolan, scenic roads on the Carso, relaxing rides through the vineyards of the Collio, or cross-border adventures across three nations, Friuli Venezia Giulia has it all.
And the best part? Light traffic, spectacular landscapes, unique culture, and gastronomy that alone makes the trip worthwhile. All this just a few hours from home, without having to cross half of Europe.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your motorcycle ready, check your equipment, and set off to discover one of the most underrated (and most beautiful) regions in Italy for motorcycle touring.
Because the most beautiful road is the one you haven't traveled yet.
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