Just as the long summer days begin to shorten and the scorching rays of the August sun give way to more pleasant temperatures, Lignano Sabbiadoro change clothes. Or rather, it takes on the role of a place conducive to the summer holidays par excellence, which are spent here happily under the sign of relaxation and pleasure, including swimming in the sea and activities on a eight-kilometer golden beach. And instead, he wears the “technical” outfit that athletes love so much. To cyclists, in particular, the real protagonists of the September scene – as well as spring, the other ideal season to get on the saddle.
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Lignano: cycle routes between land and water
Because during what is called the off-season, I bikers they find in the beautiful seaside town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia the best conditions for cycling and exploring its varied hinterland.
Based in Lignano, the beating heart of the peninsula nestled between the Marano Lagoonthe river Cut and theAdriaticyou can choose between different bike routes that cross villages, nature reserves, woods, rivers, up to the typical casoni. Without forgetting, along the way, the obligatory stops with good local cuisine.
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Bike and boat route between Lignano and Marano
From the port of Lignano Sabbiadoro you load the bikes onto a small boat (there are several operators that offer the bike transport service for small groups) and rocked by the calm waters of the lagoon in a few minutes of navigation you arrive at Maranoformer possession of the Republic of the Most Serene.
Unloading the bikes, we ride through the cobbled streets of the old village, admiring the flowery windowsills and hidden corners embellished by the aesthetic touch of some city dwellers who love beauty, fortunately for those who are watching.
The center of Marano
Once arrived at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, here he is Millennial Towerthe symbol of Marano, alta 32 meters. Wedged into a corner you can see a 16th century ring that was part of a large chain to which those who committed crimes were attached to expose them to the ridicule of passers-by.
In the upper part, however, the 18th-century clock has always marked the time. For it to work, it must be recharged by hand every day by a person in charge whose task is to climb 98 steps to reach the cell that houses the device.
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Discovering the Valle Canal Novo Nature Reserve
After leaving Marano, you arrive by pedaling at the nature reserve Novo Canal Valleykingdom of the anatids, ofred heron and of Knight of Italy. Among the rarest species, I marsh harriers and the oystercatcherbirds originating from the African continent that have found in this habitat a microclimate and a suitable place to spend the summer. They are also often heard river nightingales and they are not lacking geese screaming.
It's addictive soap opera the one that takes place every day in the lagoon: matings, quarrels, small attacks between different groups of animals, which despite the disputes, in the end, all coexist peacefully.
Route of the three waters
After leaving the reserve, you take dirt roads, reaching a Muzzanathrough woods of ash and black alder, to the small deconsecrated church. It is said route of Three waters because here the rivers, the sea and the lagoon interact with each other, creating a unique ecosystem: a mixture of salty, sweet and brackish that hosts a rich terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna.
Local lunch on the river
An essential gastronomic and oenological stop in these formerly marshy lands, reclaimed by man, is the restaurant Bepi's Scalesa pearl of Foci dello Stella Natural Park, “where we eat what is caught,” explains Daniele, the current fisherman and manager of the restaurant.
You eat in a house on stilts or on the terrace overlooking the river and the enormous scales, a special net powered by two electric motors that descends empty and rises with the freshest fish that will then be cooked and served for lunch by the guests. What they say, a real Km0 cuisine.
The menu varies depending on the catch and the seasonality of the products used. Among the proposals, delicious fried foods and appetizers are never lacking. Try the potato gnocchi in sauce Boreto, a tasty fish broth made from fish waste, with vinegar and lots of black pepper.
The typical casoni of Marano
If you want to continue by boat, you can take the Via dei Marmi by river. casoni Marano and let yourself be rocked by the murky waters of the lagoon, take a tour among these traditional huts – there are about a hundred of them – built on an artificial mud slope, called mota, whose perimeter is covered with rocks or posts.
Originally, they were just shelters used by hunters and fishermen all year round, except for the harshest winter months. Today, they are still refuges, but happy ones, where the few lucky people of Marano who own one organize parties, lunches and dinners with friends and relatives, far from the chaos of the continent.
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Cycling route on the Tagliamento
Leave the continent, heading towards Lignano Riviera take the tour that runs along the banks of the Stella and Tagliamento rivers until Gorgo of Latisana.
Along dirt roads you cross lush countryside, among reeds and drainage pumps, you stop at the small church of Santa Maria della Nevein the town of Titiano, to return to Lignano following the course of the Stella river to its mouth and beyond, to Aprilia Marittima.
In Lignano, bike rides are free for everyone
Even in September it is still possible to participate Free bike toursaccompanied by specialized local guides. The starting point is Bike Point located in the Beach Village of Lignano, at the beach office 7 of Sabbiadoro, where you can also rent a bicycle for free.
From the Cycling between the two rivers to the bike ride to discover LignanoSince Lignano-Caorle by bike and boat to the Lignano Bike&Hike has something for all levels.
The Bibione Bike&Hike ride
There Bibione Bike & Hiking It is a 25 km route by bike plus two on foot. It crosses two regions: after a short ride to reach the Tagliamento river, you cross the natural border between Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto on board the X-River boat pass.
Once you reach the Venetian coast, along a cycle path you reach the natural reserve area of the Bibione lighthouse, and on foot you follow the path that between woods, river and sea allows you to discover a surprising coastal environment that is still perfectly preserved.
Pedaling Lignano biking and hiking
Even the excursion Lignano biking and hiking It combines a stretch on foot with cycling, for a total of 12 km on the saddle and 3 km at a slow pace. After leaving Lignano, the view of the fossil dunes of the BellaItalia cycle path is worth a stop. From here we head towards Lignano Riviera passing through the pine forest and immersing ourselves in its scent of resin.
We then leave the bikes in the direction of Tagliamento, for a short ride in the dune forest of Pineda Sinistra, a green area of great landscape and floristic value with dunes that reach six meters in height, before getting back on the saddle to return to the Beach Village.
The walk in the heart of Lignano
You can't leave Lignano without having explored the city centre by bike. Hence the idea of tracing a route that in 17 kilometres leads to the discovery of its hidden corners.
We start with the cycle path until Red lighthousefrom where you can see the string of islands that separate the Adriatic from the lagoon, such as Isola delle Conchiglie, an ideal base for kitesurfing. Then walk along the paths of the quay and take the raised cycle path that runs along the quay. Marano Lagoonadmiring it in all its splendor. Last stop, landing at Lignano Pinetato discover its artistic and architectural beauties in the shade of the pines.
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How to book these and other bike tours in Lignano
To participate is Reservation required at the number 348.8734734 or directly at the Lignano Sabbiadoro Gestioni bike point of the Beach Village (beach office 7 – Sabbiadoro). Guided excursions are free, but, if necessary, the boat trip must be paid separately to the person providing the service. More information on the website.
