AMONG LONG LASTING GALLERIES AND DIZZYING SERPENTINES!

A PAUSE ALONG THE TOURISTIC ROUTE OF PIAN DELLE MORE CONNECTING BARCIS WITH PIANCAVALLO

Having a blast up and down the Monte Cavallo, which dominates Aviano, the town hosting one of the oldest military airports of Italy and, since 1954, the headquarters of the 31st Fighter Wing of the US Air Forces in Europe.

SO MANY THINGS ENTAILED IN THIS CIRCULAR ROADTRIP OF 91 MILES!

East Northern Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Carnic Prealps. 

[Counties of Udine and Pordenone]

19.06.2022

READY TO GO AND HAPPY TO KNOW THAT MY PARTNER IN LIFE
HAS ALSO BECOME MY FAVOURITE BROTHER ON THE ROAD
SINCE WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR THE LAST TRIPS, WE'VE SET UP 
THIS SPECIAL TRIP TODAY AND WE'RE PLANNING AHEAD MANY OTHERS TO COME! 

Our destination is the Piancavallo district, belonging to the international town of Aviano, and lying at 1.280 meters a.s.l., in a basin of the eastern slope of the Monte Cavallo, which literally translates into "Horse Mountain" (2.251 meters a.s.l.). We reach it by ascending the challenging Touristic Route called "del Pian delle More" from the town of Barcis. Then, we descend on the other side, riding along the wider and generally most travelled via Monte Cavallo (Mountain Horse street).

MEETING POINT AT 7:30 A.M.: IT'S GONNA BE A VERY HOT DAY AND WE'D BETTER START
OUR TRIP IN THE EARLY MORNING

THE LAST CHUNK OF THE MAJESTIC PINZANO BRIDGE OVER THE TAGLIAMENTO RIVER... 

...WHERE THE FUNNY ROAD SP5 OF THE COUNTY OF UDINE BECOMES -ONLY FOR THIS SECTION- SP4, AND THEN CONTINUES WITH THE NAME OF SP1 OF THE COUNTY OF PORDENONE.

THE TAGLIAMENTO RIVER IS ALWAYS SPECTACULAR

SAME SPOT FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE =  EQUALLY SCENIC!

After crossing the Tagliamento river, and entering the County of Pordenone, we take the SP34 and then the SR464, and we pass over the fascinating and apparently desolated riverbeds of Meduna and Cellina: the waters of both these rivers sink into a huge underground water basin in this area called Magredi. 

SHORT STOP IN THE MAIN SQUARE IN THE TOWN OF MANIAGO

                                                

It's around 8:40 and the weather is warm and sultry when, after passing by the town of Montereale Valcellina, we take the SR251 and we suddenly enter the pleasantly chilly and long lasting gallery "Fara" (length 3,9 km = 2,4 miles), which pierces the Mountain Fara (1.342 meters a.s.l.) and leads us to the town and lake of Barcis: I love galleries and this one is soooo cool, in all senses! Coming out to the sunlight and the warm air again, we spot the clear waters of the lake: they're surprisingly quiet and clean... it seems a perfect mirror, reflecting and duplicating the whole landscape in all its perfect details.

THE LAKE OF BARCIS FROM THE NORTHERN...

...AND SOUTHERN SIDE

We wish to cross the lake riding over and old wooden paved one-way bridge which once was freely open to cars and motorcycles, but we discover there's a transit prohibited signal in it: only the passage for one single walking individual is now allowed. So, we take the road surrounding the lake and reach anyway the point where we'd planned to start the climbing of the Monte Cavallo: we enter the little known and almost hidden Touristic Route of Pian delle More. This is a very adventurous itinerary to choose, since this road is narrow, winding and rich in abrupt curves and bends. It is immersed in the forest and it is usually closed during the entire winter season 'cause, due to its shape and structure, it's too risky and dangerous when it snows and the asphalt freezes up.

THE TOURISTIC ROUTE OF PIAN DELLE MORE CONNECTING BARCIS WITH PIANCAVALLO
(length = 18,3 km or 11,4 miles)
 

SAVOURING THE FOREST...

...BREATHING GREEN! 

 

LAST CHUNK OF THE TOURISTIC ROUTE!

We arrive and find that Piancavallo is a place full of movement and people, and we're warmly welcomed by one of the inhabitants, who comes towards us to greet us and to ask about our motorcycles.

PARKING IN THE MAIN ROAD IN PIANCAVALLO  
AND TAKING SOME REST AND SOME REFRESHMENTS BEFORE DESCENDING

Piancavallo is famous for sport activities and competitions, especially for its ski slopes (hosting the Alpine World Cup) and for the cycle racing (with the Giro d'Italia). We notice that the energy is effervescent here above: the temperature is relatively low, compared to the flatland, and the air is fresh and crisp. A meaningful difference that one perceives even more drastically while descending rapidly the Via Monte Cavallo, with its smooth and fluent serpentine, which shows us beautiful views of the valley and invites us to run joyously down to the bottom!                              

CAVALLO MOUNTAIN STREET CONNECTING PIANCAVALLO WITH AVIANO
(length 15,5 km = 9,6 miles)

So rapidly we descend it, that we don't even think to stop and take some pictures from this side of the mountain. 

AFTER DESCENDING, WE STOP AT "BOBE'S THE GET AWAY": AN AMERICAN BAR IN AVIANO

ON OUR WAY BACK HOME, AROUND 11:20 A.M., ALMOST TO CROSS THE TAGLIAMENTO RIVER AGAIN, THIS TIME  OVER THE BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS SPILIMBERGO WITH DIGNANO.

US, TAKING A SELFIE IN FRONT OF THE HEART STONE SCULPTURE IN PIANCAVALLO:
CHOOSING A ROMANTIC SPOT AS A LOVELY MEMORY
FOR SUCH A GOOD DESTINATION AND SUCH A GREAT RIDE!