Cavanata Valley Nature Reserve

Access

From Grado, take the road in the direction of Monfalcone and after a few kilometres, having passed a few campsites in the pine forest, you will come to the junction for Fossalon: turn right and after about one kilometre you will find the Reserve visitor centre on the right.

Introduction

Flat walk along the southern stretch of the Averto Canal within the Cavanata Valley Nature Reserve. The walk makes it easy to encounter various species of birds (grebes, herons, royal swans), as well as allowing the discovery of this particular environment a stone's throw from the sea.

Description

Leaving your car in the car park located near the visitor centre, head eastwards, crossing the bridge over the Canale Averto: here turn right and start walking along the Caneo road (closed to traffic) that runs along the southern stretch of the Canale Averto. The road proceeds in the direction of the sea, leaving the sandbanks of the canal on the right; the vegetation is lush and offers refuge to the avifauna: there are various species present in the reserve, grebes, grebes, royal swans and herons.
The road continues straight until a first bend to the right and, shortly afterwards, it bends to the left, practically following the sinuosity of the canal. The road proceeds in a straight line again, passing a few houses: another small double bend and you finally reach the embankments before the sea (0h35'). 

You turn right following the dirt road that runs alongside the embankment until you reach a gate and the view of the sea (0h45'): from here you can only continue accompanied by the Park Guards, booking in advance at the visitor centre.
The guided tour leads through wooded scrubland with splendid and evocative views of the canal and its inhabitants, until reaching a lock near a Park ranger's house (1h00').
The return trip follows the same route as the outward journey.

Visiting hours

From 1 April to 30 September
* Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
* Saturdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
* Sundays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

From 1 October to 30 March
* Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.
* Sundays and public holidays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.