The Natisone Valleys are characterized by the course of the Natisone river and by the Prealps, including Monte Nero,Triglav National Park, Mount Canin and Mount Matajur.
Besides the several scenic routes, there are many possibilities for hiking and mountain biking.
These valleys show evidence of modern history, like the remains of military roads and defensive lines from the First World War, as well as remains of ancient history: ruins of castles, late antique and medieval fortifications, Roman settlements.
In the Natisone Valleys you can also visit the cave of San Giovanni d'Antro.

The Routes of Faith

Evidence of the close relationship between religiousness and everyday life is given by the presence of small and big places of worship scattered all over the area.
There are several monuments in these valleys, including:

• the Sanctuary of Castelmonte, dating back to the 5th century;
• the fifteenth-century church inside the fortified cave of San Giovanni d' Antro;
• the small votive churches dating back to the 15th and 16th century, which are scattered everywhere, from the valley of the Judrio river to the Natisone Valleys.

The Routes of Taste

The typical dishes of the Natisone Valleys are different according to the seasonal products:

• bizna: soup made of “brovada” (sour turnip) and potatoes;
• stakanje: purèe made of potatoes and seasonal vegetables;
• zlicnjaki: small flour dumplings;
• soups made of corn, pumpkin and chestnuts;

Other typical food are game, mushrooms, the Natisone trouts, strukijj (typical sweets) and the traditional gubana.

In addition to the local gastronomic specialities, the area extending along the Eastern line of hills of the Province of Udine, close to the Slovenian border, is well-known for its prestigious oenological production, which goes under the name of vini D.O.C. dei Colli Orientali del Friuli.
They include special autochthonous wines such as Schioppettino, Picolit and Verduzzo.
We also suggest you to visit the local farms, old dairies and laboratories producing typical sweets, as well as to purchase apples – especially the autochthonous one, called Seuka – chestnuts and honey.