Mount Forno
Mountain symbol of the cross-border union of peoples, Monte Forno is a wooded hill set and cut out between the three borders of Italy, Slovenia and Austria: it is no coincidence that its name in German is Dreiländereck (literally "three territories" or "three segments of territory “ or also Ofen (lit. oven) while in Slovenian it is Peč (lit. “stove”)). Every year between August and September the Friendship Festival is held on this peak, which celebrates the friendship between the three peoples, with large popular participation, songs in three languages and much more. In fact, the peak already belongs to the Karavanke subgroup, towards which it offers a very panoramic view, as well as towards Austria (and Mount Dobratsch) and naturally towards the Julian Alps, in particular the Mangart and Ponze chains . Being crossed by several forest tracks as well as by the carriage road that reaches up to two hundred and fifty meters from the top, care must be taken in case of low clouds not to lose one's bearings.
A first glimpse
Some impressions of the tour
Directions
Leave the car at the beginning of the dirt road near the building of the former Guardia di Finanza barracks, and take the first stretch of road which, after passing near a second barracks (part of the Vallo Littorio) and then a hut, it becomes a path with trail sign 522 crossing large meadows and pastures. Near the old boundary stones, at about 1000 m asl, the path bends decisively to the left and becomes steeper, continuing through the woods. The wooded path then flows into the large road that climbs from Poscolle, east of the ridge of Monte Cavallar and the clearing of Cima Cavallar. From this point you descend, losing slightly altitude until the crossroads with the two roads that lead to the Chapel of the Madonna della Neve (on the left) and Monte Coppa (on the right). At the next crossroads you come across the other road that goes up from Poscolle, traveled up to here by public transport by those who want to face the climb to Monte Forno with only two hundred and fifty meters of difference in altitude. Continuing and after having passed near an aqueduct intake, you start to climb again with a slight slope up to a fork in the road. Take the one on the right until you reach the next crossroads where there is a log cabin (Senza Confini Hütte). Continue to climb along the road and after a few short hairpin bends, take the path that runs along the ridge which also serves as the border with Austria. Alternatively, you can choose the military road that runs alongside, slightly longer than the path. From the top of Monte Forno you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Slovenian Julian Alps, the Karavanke and towards Carinthia, even if the top itself is "dirtied" by the presence of artifacts connected to the ski lifts. For the descent there are two alternatives. Near the refreshment points next to the ski slopes, you come across a winding road that winds down towards Ratece. Or take the mule track directly from the top that descends southwards with hairpin bends in the fir forest until it joins up with the road that goes towards Ratece. Continue along this road as far as the pastures overlooking the town of Ratece and without continuing towards the town, cross to the west at high altitude, meeting the first section of the route taken on the outward journey.
Point of arrival
The Tarvisio tourist destination is located in Friuli Venezia Giulia, on the border with Austria and Slovenia
