Chiusaforte: Fortress, Waterfalls and Trails

Chiusaforte combines an impressive military history with waterfalls, geological nature trails and a variety of paths. If you are planning a trip, you can combine cultural discoveries, days spent walking and hiking, cycling experiences and excursions towards Sella Nevea here. When searching for a holiday apartment, it is therefore particularly useful to consider which themes should shape your trip: the history of the fortress, nature observation or active days in the mountains.

Fortress, barracks and a long local history

The Chiusaforte fortress was built in 1904 and put into operation shortly afterwards. To this day, its casemates, kitchen, storage rooms, officers’ quarters, soldiers’ quarters, workshop and power station can still be seen. The approach road already provides clear orientation: the road to the fortress branches off near the Ponte Peraria railway tunnel and climbs Col Badin.

The permanent exhibition Memorie della Canal del Ferro is housed in the former Zucchi Barracks. It displays ammunition, soldiers’ personal equipment and materials relating to provisions and the soldiers’ lives at the front. Another historical connection is provided by the customs station of the Patriarchate of Aquileia, which Chiusaforte had hosted since the Middle Ages. The artillery battery at Costa Curnic also belongs in this context: it was planned with four 75 mm steel guns to support the fortress. This wording is important, because what is described is a plan, not proof of a completed structure.

Waterfalls, nature trails and experiences in nature

Chiusaforte offers several different options for days spent in nature. The botanical nature trail MIRABILA – Sentiero botanico del Bila Pec is listed as one of the paths in the municipal area. A waterfall map of Chiusaforte also shows the locations of 13 waterfalls and can help guide you when choosing an excursion destination.

The path at Fontanone di Goriuda is particularly impressive. It passes through a protected rock grotto close to the spray and offers a special view into the waterfall. The hiking route to Raunis and the waterfalls of the Belepeit stream starts and ends at Chiusaforte town hall. Those interested in how the landscape was formed can include the Foran dal Mus geological nature trail in their plans. It brings the extraordinary geological features of the highest part of the Canin Massif to life.

Active days and practical orientation

Even for a trip involving different interests, the options can be clearly distinguished. Access to the Costa Curnic artillery battery leads from the first bridgehead over the Rio Raccolana on the SP76 provincial road towards Sella Nevea. It then follows CAI trail 632 towards Rifugio Gilberti and reaches a military service road after approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes on foot.

For cycling excursions, the Stazione di Chiusaforte is accessible both from the Ciclovia Alpe Adria and from the town. Bus route 191 connects Chiusaforte with Sella Nevea. Those who would also like to include winter sports alongside hiking will find slopes for freeriding, snowboarding and alpine skiing in the Sella Nevea ski area.

Choose Chiusaforte as your base

A holiday apartment in Chiusaforte is an especially natural choice if you want to combine several of the experiences mentioned on one trip and plan to use the town as a starting point for the route at the town hall, the fortress, the waterfall attractions and the connection to Sella Nevea. When making your specific accommodation choice, you can first decide whether short explorations in the town, nature trails, a cycling tour or an active day towards Costa Curnic should be the focus.

If you would like to extend your search to other places, you can also find Bertiolo, Tolmezzo, Pozzuolo del Friuli, Santa Maria la Longa, Lateis, Ruda, Forni Di Sopra and Pulfero.

For the broader travel overview: Udine.