Along the main valleys of Carnia there are some cycle paths of notable beauty that allow you to visit the places of major tourist, historical, artistic and even naturalistic interest.
The primary itinerary (signed as FVG 8) branches off from the Alpe Adria cycle route near the town of Carnia and continues up to Treppo Carnico covering a distance of about 40 km.
From Carnia, pedaling along roads with little traffic (at the moment the cycle path that ran over the bridge over the Fella has been eliminated to make way for car traffic), you begin to go up the valley of the Tagliamento river to reach Amaro after a few kilometers. Then continue on the provincial road “del Sasso Tagliato” until you reach Tolmezzo. During the ride you will certainly notice the infrastructures of the disused Carnia-Tolmezzo railway: a project foresees to convert this infrastructure into a cycle path that will allow cyclists to pedal up to the Carnic capital in total safety.
After passing the old station, converted into a bar, it is advisable to explore the beautiful historic center of Tolmezzo by bicycle and then continue towards the old bridge over the But stream. Right at the entrance to this work, you will find the cycle path marked FVG 6 (Ciclovia del Tagliamento) which climbs from Cavazzo Carnico, bypassing the center of Tolmezzo. On the bridge we pedal instead of the railway tracks that from the Carnic capital climbed the Tagliamento valley up to Villa Santina and, at the end of the bridge, we find a crossroads: here we turn right going up the But valley towards Arta Terme. The cycle path that turns left instead continues along the Tagliamento valley and has been tabulated with the initials FVG 8/a.
The first section of the cycle path that climbs towards Arta Terme is very suggestive and was built on the river bank. In this section you will almost always cycle on a dedicated and asphalted cycle path up to Zuglio, crossing meadows or pedaling in the midst of cool woods. Once in Zuglio, an important city of the Roman era, the museum and the archaeological park are worth a visit. The cycle path continues along the But stream to arrive after a few kilometers right at the Terme di Arta complex.
After the Baths, go up until you reach Piano d’Arta and then descend again in the direction of Sutrio, which can be reached after crossing the But again thanks to a characteristic covered bridge. Beyond Sutrio you can reach Paluzza by pedaling on the new track that runs through the woods (challenging) and passes next to the Moscarda Tower. Touching the hamlets overlooking Paluzza, the route ends in the town of Treppo Carnico.
From Tolmezzo to Arta Terme the cycle path is also suitable for families with children, the next stretch that goes up from Arta to Treppo Carnico is suitable for expert cyclists as there are steep climbs and descents as well as sections with bumpy surfaces. From Paluzza, more experienced cyclists could continue towards the Passo di Monte Croce Carnico to enter Austria and connect to the excellent Austrian cycle path.
A second branch, tabulated as FVG 8 / a, branches off from Tolmezzo and reaches Villa Santina and then Ovaro.