Cimolais – Hiking and Mountain Landscapes in the Friulian Dolomites

Cimolais is located in the Parco Naturale Dolomiti Friulane and is an ideal starting point if you would like to combine a trip with hiking, trekking, mountaineering and impressive landscapes. The area combines striking Dolomite peaks with paths along the Cimoliana stream and historic traces of the Alpine working world. When choosing your accommodation in Cimolais, you can therefore first consider which routes and landscapes should be the focus of your trip.

Dolomite Peak and Viewpoints

A characteristic feature of the landscape is the Campanile di Val Montanaia. The 300-metre-high Dolomite peak is located in the upper Val Cimoliana and is one of the 19 geotopes of supranational interest in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The Sentiero dei Belvederi del Campanile di Val Montanaia leads to two viewpoints from which you can observe the Campanile di Val Montanaia. This allows you to combine a hike specifically with a viewing experience without reducing the mountain landscape to a single peak.

The Cimolais area offers opportunities for hiking, trekking and mountaineering. Several excursions reach their respective starting points via the road through Val Cimoliana. The Trekking delle Bregoline begins in Pian Meluzzo, which can be reached from Cimolais via this road. The Trekking da Cimolais a Forni di Sopra also starts in Pian Meluzzo. The starting point can be reached from Cimolais via the 13-kilometre road through Val Cimoliana, which includes paved and unpaved sections. The Trekking forcella Duranno begins at Ponte Compol, which can likewise be reached from Cimolais via the road through Val Cimoliana.

Paths Along the Water and Traces of the Working World

Another way to experience the valley is offered by the Sentiero dei Mulini e Val Cimoliana. The path follows a cycle path along the banks of the Cimoliana stream and leads across the terraced meadows of Bresin. Several old stavoli, traditional rural buildings, have been restored there. You will also reach the remains of water-powered mills and sawmills, including a restored former sawmill. The route thus combines nature observation, physical activity and visible evidence of the valley's former uses.

The landscape also includes the Ponte di Lesca over a small gorge carved by the clear waters of the Cimoliana stream. A long, uninterrupted dry-stone wall runs along the path to the Chiesetta Alpina di Cimolais. The valley inhabitants built it in the post-war period to secure the mountain slope and prevent landslides from blocking the path. Alongside the experience of nature, such details give a hike a concrete historical and craft-related dimension.

Wildlife Park Between Cimolais and Claut

The Parco Faunistico Pianpinedo is located in the hamlet of Piana di Pinedo between Cimolais and Claut. The fully fenced wildlife park covers 35 hectares. Visitors can observe various specimens of the local fauna there. The Parco Faunistico Pianpinedo also contains the Cason dei Boscaioli, which faithfully recreates the living conditions of forestry workers in the last century. The wildlife park complements the mountain and trekking options with a visit focusing on local wildlife and the former way of life of forestry workers.

Putting Excursions from Cimolais into Context

For planning your trip, it is worth considering the different starting points and types of landscape separately: Pian Meluzzo is associated with the Trekking delle Bregoline and the Trekking da Cimolais a Forni di Sopra, while Ponte Compol marks the beginning of the trek to forcella Duranno. The Sentiero dei Mulini e Val Cimoliana follows the watercourse and the traces of former mills and sawmills. The Campanile di Val Montanaia, on the other hand, offers a clear destination for observing a distinctive Dolomite peak. Access for motor vehicles on the road through Val Cimoliana is normally free of charge; however, a toll may be charged during certain periods.

If you are looking for accommodation in Cimolais, you can base your choice on the planned activities while considering both mountain tours and shorter excursions focused on nature and culture. For further orientation within this section of the site, links lead to Erto, Arba, Sesto Al Reghena, Vito D'asio, San Quirino, Carbona, Frazione di Villa D'arco and Prata Di Pordenone.

For the overarching travel overview: Pordenone.