Along the Tagliamento from Latisana to Lignano

The route begins at the FS train station of Latisana; exit opposite the train station building by first going through the sottopassaggio [underpass], turn right, go through a rotary and continue following the direction of the train tracks until an intersection in front of a large eye-catching red commercial building, from where one direction goes to the bridge over the Tagliamento; instead of taking the bridge take the low road to the embankment, and follow the embankment to leave the town of Latisana.

Continue along small roads that follow below the embankment; you will be biking on sections that are closed to traffic. It’s a shame that the embankments block the view of the river. Ride for about 15 km/9 miles until you reach another intersection to yet another bridge, that goes to Bibione; instead of going over the bridge go straight through as far as Bevazzana where there is a small revolving bridge over a side canal; it is one of few remaining revolving bridges still operating along the Veneto coast (except for the summer season from June 1 – September 30), and is limited to two-wheeled vehicles. Immediately after the bridge a bike path begins which in a few km takes one to Lignano.

Lignano is a major seaside resort, which stretches for 5 km/3 miles along the Adriatic coast from the mouth of the Tagliamento River to the Marano Lagoon; it is divided into three sectors from south to north: Riviera, Pineta and Sabbiadoro. The bike path ends in the southern sector, Lignano Riviera. From there you can go left (north) as afar as the tip of Lignano on the Marano Lagoon, or turn right where, after a few hundred meters, by taking the Corso delle Nazioni, you will come to the mouth of the Tagliamento.

From the point with the beacon continue over a bridge and immediately on the right climb onto the embankment where you will find an unpaved bike/pedestrian path which follows along the lagoon as far as the cemetery of Lignano. From here drop down and follow a local road that follows along the canal that takes you back to Bevazzana.

From Bevazzana you can return to Latisana by the same route as you came, or cross the bridge over the Tagliamento and take the road to the right towards Portogruaro (about 30 km/18 miles from Lignano), relatively busy with traffic, going through Lugugnana and Concordia Sagittaria.

Photos

Revolving bridge at Bavazzana The lock at Bevazzana The bike path between Bevazzana and Lignano Mouth of the Tagliamento at Lignano The golden sand at Lignano Snow on the golden sand The eastern point of Lignano The bike path along the lagoon Concordia Sagittaria

Captions

At Bevazzana the cyclist can take advantage of this unusual revolving bridge over a canal, instead of crossing the roadway viaduct; immediately after the bridge the bike path to Lignano begins. From the viaduct one can see the beginning of the bike path, the revolving bridge and the lock between the canal and the Tagliamento. (photo 2002) Between Bevazzana and Lignano there is this bike path. Mouth of the Tagliamento at Lignano. (photo 2002) The sand on the beach at Lignano has a distinctive golden color, hence the place-name Sabbiadoro [golden sand]. (photo 2002) Snowfall on the golden sand in this winter scene at Lignano. (photo March 2010) This beacon marks the extreme eastern point of the Lignano peninsula; from here there is a beautiful view of the Marano Lagoon and the Alpi Giulie [Julian Alps]. (photo 2009) A section of unpaved bike path that follows along the Marano Lagoon. (photo April 2011) At Concordia Sagittaria there is a short segment of bike path along the Lemene River; the ancient Roman city of Julia Concordia had become famous, during the fourth century AD, for the manufacturing of arrows, hence the modern name Sagittarius [the archer].

Latest visit: April 3, 2011