The emerald reflection of the Valcellina: the Barcis circular walk

The journey begins in the Friulian Dolomites, where, over the millennia, water has carved out one of Europe’s most spectacular gorges – which are, quite simply, deep, narrow ravines carved into the rock by mountain streams. The starting point is Lake Barcis, an artificial reservoir created by the Ponte Antoi dam, which amazes visitors with the green hue and exceptional clarity of its waters, due to the unique way sunlight is refracted on the limestone bed of the Cellina stream. The circular route around the lake is a 5.6-kilometre trail, suitable for families too, which winds its way along cycle and footpaths, suspended walkways and short stretches through woodland. The trail crosses the historic ‘Vecchia Strada della Valcellina’, now a spectacular nature trail which once served as the valley’s sole, rugged link with the plain. Walking along the “Sentiero degli Alpini”, the view sweeps from the rustic architecture of the village of Barcis to the sheer slopes of the surrounding mountains, which this year also saw the Giro d’Italia pass through during the Gemona–Piancavallo stage.