Hiking in Friuli Venezia Giulia: the Vigne Alte trail

The Collio Goriziano is famous for its excellent wines, certainly among the best Italian white wines produced both from indigenous and international vine varieties. Thanks to its unique microclimate and to the specific soil (called ponca or ponka), made of layers of marl and sandstone and rich in mineral salts and micro-elements, this area is particularly suited to the cultivation of the vine. 

And walking through the green rolling hills covered in beautiful vineyards is a pure pleasure!

Vigne Alte trail

The "Sentiero delle Vigne Alte" is a splendid panoramic trail near Cormons winding for 3 km through shady woodlands, olive groves and the vineyards of some of the most interesting wine producers of the Collio Goriziano; a real naturalistic jewel, an easy walk that can be done on foot, by mountain bike or even on horseback.

View from the Vigne Alte Trail

Vineyards Collio Goriziano

The best time to walk the trail is spring or autumn, when the chromatic shades of nature give their best. But, to be honest, we actually did the walk on a beautiful sunny day in February and we totally loved it!

Vineyards Collio Goriziano

The starting points can be two: at the Castello di Spessa, an elegant 16th century manor house of the Friulian nobility which hosted Giacomo Casanova in 1773 and which has now been transformed into a relais, or at La Subida a countryside resort and riding school surrounded by greenery, restaurants, taverns and the famous vinegar factory of Josko Sirk, a symbol of the Collio and Friuli-Venezia-Giulia.

The trail is easily recognizable thanks to the many directional panels in the shape of a deer.

Personally we left our car at the big car parking at the entrance of Cormons and then walked the extra kilometre to the start of the trail at La Subida.

Castello di Spessa, Vigne Alte trail

Castello di Spessa, Vigne Alte trail

Vigne Alte trail panel

The gently undulating trail will take into chestnut and birch forests, interspersed with large openings of beautiful vineyards often bordered by lines of olive trees.

Along the way there are many variations that can lead to other interesting places such as the Piana del Preval, a former marshy area, and the Di Pradis di Cormons hill, a semi-hidden zone full of wineries, groves and churches.

You will also encounter two abandoned farmhouses. The first was the home of a man locally named Meni el zear, famous for weaving wicker baskets, the second is called Cjanal. Turn around the corner of the second house, sit on the escarpment and admire the beautiful view of the Collio Goriziano and the peaks of the Julian Pre-Alps in the background. 

Also take your time to stop at the various viewpoints located along the route to enjoy the splendid landscape. On the top of one the ridges, in a clearing in the shade of the vegetation, a table and wooden benches have been strategically placed, which are particularly suitable for a short stop and a picnic.

Vigne Alte trail

Vineyards Collio Goriziano

Once back, reward yourself with a good glass of wine at La Subida, or in one of the wine bars in the centre of Cormons. 

Cheers!