by InTrieste
A trail running event in the Val Tramontina will return on Sept. 13, bringing athletes back to a secluded mountain valley in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region known for its lakes, abandoned tunnels and alpine terrain.
The Three Lakes Trail, now in its eighth edition, offers four race formats this year, ranging from an ultra-distance course to a short recreational route designed for amateur runners. The event is centered in Tramonti di Sotto, a small municipality in the province of Pordenone, and winds through the surrounding valleys of the Dolomiti Friulane, a UNESCO-listed mountain range.
The longest route covers 53.93 kilometers with 3,335 meters of elevation gain, while the 42.67-kilometer and 22.09-kilometer courses offer progressively shorter alternatives with reduced elevation. A 15-kilometer “open” course is intended for less experienced participants.
Organizers have partially revised the routes this year, incorporating sections near the Pozze Smeraldine — a series of natural emerald-colored pools — and viewpoints along the Sentiero delle Fornaci, a historic path through the valley’s forested slopes.
“We’ve redesigned parts of the courses to make them more scenic and engaging,” said Giampaolo Bidoli, the race’s organizer. “It is a journey through water, history and nature.”
The event crosses a landscape shaped by three alpine lakes — Redona, Selva and Ciul — as well as small mountain villages and former industrial or transit routes, including disused tunnels carved into the rock.
The Pozze Smeraldine, a recurring highlight of the course, gained international attention in recent years after being included in a list of Italy’s top wild swimming locations compiled by The Guardian.
The Three Lakes Trail previously hosted the European Masters Mountain Running, Trail Running and Nordic Walking Championships in 2021. Since 2022, it has returned to a more open format, drawing both competitive ultrarunners and recreational participants.
All races award ITRA points and are included in Italy’s national ultratrail circuit. Organizers say the event is intended to combine competitive sport with exposure to a landscape that remains relatively untouched by mass tourism.
Registration is open until Aug. 29 and is capped. Early entry fees range from €15 to €25 depending on distance, with discounts available for returning participants and groups. Entries can be submitted online or through local registration points.
The finish line will again be located in Tramonti di Sotto near the Matan sports facilities, where amenities and a post-race meal will be available for participants.
For organizers, the appeal of the race lies in the terrain itself: a network of lakes, forests and ridgelines that define one of northeastern Italy’s more remote valleys.
