by InTrieste
The summer season is beginning in the mountains of northeastern Italy, with ski lifts reopening and a broad calendar of outdoor activities aimed at hikers, cyclists and families across the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
Beginning this weekend, lift systems at several mountain resorts — including Forni di Sopra and Ravascletto-Zoncolan — will resume operations, joining those already open at Monte Lussari. By early July, lifts across the region’s main alpine destinations will be operating, providing access to hiking trails, panoramic viewpoints and cycling routes through September.
The regional tourism agency, PromoTurismoFVG, in partnership with local tourism networks and consortia, is promoting a summer program centered on outdoor recreation, with activities ranging from guided hikes and educational workshops to mountain biking and family-friendly excursions.
A major addition this year is the opening of the Bike Arena Ravascletto-Zoncolan on June 27. The new downhill cycling area features three trails of varying difficulty — blue, red and black — accessible via the Funifor lift. The opening will include demonstrations, equipment testing, rental services and events for cycling enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, the Bike Park dell’Angelo in Tarvisio has reopened for the season, offering three downhill trails designed for riders with different experience levels.
Beyond cycling, mountain communities throughout the region have organized a wide range of guided activities. Visitors can join nature walks in the Dolomites around Sappada, geological excursions in Tarvisio, botanical hikes in Forni di Sopra, sunset walks on Mount Zoncolan, horseback riding, wildlife experiences and workshops exploring local traditions, herbs and regional cuisine.
Protected areas, including the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park and the Julian Prealps Natural Park, will also host educational programs and guided excursions throughout the summer.
To help visitors explore independently, the region continues to offer the free Friuli Venezia Giulia Outdoor mobile app, which provides hundreds of hiking and walking routes with downloadable offline maps and trail information suitable for a range of experience levels.
Most lift facilities will operate through late August or early September, with some remaining open on selected weekends later in the month, extending access to the region’s alpine destinations throughout the summer season.
