BOLD MOUNTAINS WITH A COSMOPOLITAN ATMOSPHERE
The Julian Alps extend into Italian territory and partly into Slovenian territory. We can therefore divide them into Western (the former) and Eastern (the latter).
The Italian ones, which are steeper and more inaccessible than the Slovenian ones, rise in the area between the course of the river Fella (a tributary of the Tagliamento) and that of the Upper Isonzo. They are characterised by the imposing limestone and dolomite walls and the wild nature of the area on which they rise. The latter is rich in morphological, fluvial, glacial and karst varieties. The mighty Julian walls are succeeded by summits sprinkled with grassy ledges alternating with compact or, on the contrary, even friable rocky crags.
The main peaks rise above 2500 metres, never exceeding 2800. Four elevations, with the forests of peaks surrounding them and representing as many Groups, tower over the Western Julian Mountains: Mangart (2,668 m.) , Jof Fuart (2,666 m.) , Jof di Montasio (2,753 m.) and Canin (2,587 m.). The latter, moreover, - a carbonate massif - constitutes one of the areas of greatest international interest for karst scholars. Great pages of mountaineering have been written on these mountains.
Another characteristic of the Julian Alps are the valley floors, which, although they do not reach high altitudes in absolute terms (600-800 m), maintain a rather harsh climate in winter. This is due to the thermal inversion caused by the constant influx of cold north-eastern currents (burano wind) that reach the area from the Siberian and Danubian regions. It is precisely the valley floors at relatively low altitudes compared to the peaks that often give rise to considerable height differences, in some cases touching 2,000 metres. This, in the distant past, resulted in a minimal sports-tourist influx and the exclusive presence of more than motivated and willing mountaineers.
JULIAN PREALPS NATURE PARK
The Julian Pre-Alps Natural Park based in Resia was established by R.L. No. 42 of 09/30/1996 and covers territories in the municipalities of Chiusaforte, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Resia, Resiutta and Venzone, in the Province of Udine, for a total area of about 10,000 hectares. Also affected is a large area around one of the most beautiful Tarvisian peaks: Mount Canin (2587 m.).
The area is of considerable importance in terms of naturalistic, geological, wildlife, vegetation and historical aspects.
The territory of the Park, in the context of the six municipalities, straddles two distinct geographical units: the Julian Alps and the Julian Pre-Alps. To the former belongs the Italian side of Mount Canin (2587 m.), limited to the ridge between Baba Piccola and the Prevala saddle, the entire plateau of Foran dal Muss, Bila Pec, and Col Ladris. To the Pre-Alps, however, belong the chains of M. Cochiaze - M. Guarda, M. Plauris (1958 m.) - M. Lavara (1906 m.) and M. Musi (1869 m.). These are long mountain ranges, arranged parallel in an east-west direction, which follow one another as sloping backdrops toward the Friulian Plain. This wide area belongs almost entirely to the catchment area of the Tagliamento River, except for a small part, corresponding to the surroundings of Uccea, which belongs instead to the Isonzo River basin.
Near the Pian dei Ciclamini Information Center in Lusevera, there is the Sentiero per Tutti (Trail for All): a trail that covers about 600 meters and is equipped with wheel beaters, guide rope and gentle slopes that make it passable even to wheelchairs. There are also educational installations appropriately designed and usable by the blind that provide information about the Park area.
How to get to the Julian Pre-Alps Natural Park
A23 Venice-Tarvisio freeway
Exits: Udine north, Gemona or Carnia to Tarvisio
State road 13 Pontebbana Udine - Tarvisio
Tel. 0433-53534
info@parcoprealpigiulie.it
www.parcoprealpigiulie.it
JULIAN ALPS BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The "Man and the Biosphere" Programme, Man and the Biosphere - MAB, is an intergovernmental scientific programme initiated by UNESCO in 1971 to promote on a scientific basis a balanced relationship between man and the environment through the protection of biodiversity and the good practices of Sustainable Development.
The Italian Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve was established in June 2019 and comprises the territory of 11 municipalities in the mountainous area of Friuli Venezia Giulia: Artegna, Chiusaforte, Dogna, Gemona del Friuli, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Montenars, Resia, Resiutta, Taipana and Venzone.
Created on the initiative of the Julian Pre-Alps Regional Nature Park, it covers an area of over 700 square kilometres that descends from the Montasio and Canin Mountains to the northern edge of the Friulian Plain. It is a crossroads of nature and culture, rich in species, habitats and landscapes, located on the border between the Latin and Slavic worlds.
The Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve was established in June 2019 and is located in the north-eastern part of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
It comprises the territory of 11 municipalities including Artegna, Chiusaforte, Dogna, Gemona del Friuli, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Montenars, Resia, Resiutta, Taipana and Venzone.
It extends along the border of the UNESCO MAB Reserve of the Slovenian Julian Alps, established in 2003, which includes the Triglav National Park.
The two reserves form a hinge between different landscapes, ecosystems and cultures and a meeting place between the Latin and Slavic worlds characterised by thousands of years of cultural interaction.
