The Doberdò and Pietrarossa Lakes Nature Reserve Loop Trail

The starting point for this itinerary is the Gradina Visitor Centre, just outside the village of Doberdò. The route continues along the dirt track that passes just outside the settlement at CAI markers 77-78. Walk a few hundred metres to reach the site of the old Solvay quarry. Continue along the road, which soon becomes an exposed and rocky path on the slopes of the Colle Nero (Black Hill), with a wonderful view of the lake. Once you have reached the "Casa Cadorna" refuge at 118 metres above sea level, turn right along CAI Trail No. 72 and undertake the rather steep descent towards the lake plain. Walk until you cross the Municipal road that connects Doberdò with Regional Road SR55, descending once again to the trail that skirts the lake.

From here, turn left past a panoramic jetty and continue along the path, which is paved in parts. The path runs along the lake until it reaches the Municipal road that links Doberdò to the village of Jamiano.  Follow this road for a few metres to the right and then take CAI Trail No. 81 on the left, which runs past Lake Pietrarossa to its Visitor Centre, which is equipped with an open-air rest area with benches. The itinerary continues to a crossroads where CAI Trail No. 82 is taken to the right. The path climbs slightly through a typical Karst natural environment until it reaches an open space with a crossroads of trails, where it continues along CAI Trail No. 72, which leads back to the Casa Cadorna site. After a few climbs and descents, the itinerary rejoins the Doberdò-Jamano road. Cross it and follow the CAI signposts for Casa Cadorna.

From here it is only a short distance to the western shore of Lake Doberdò, where its source and springs are located.

Turn slightly right and then immediately left. This is where the climb up to Casa Cadorna begins, crossing the Municipal road again. Continue uphill until you reach the shelter. Continue to the rear of the building where there is a short tunnel and a number of military emplacements dating from the First World War. Turning back to the right, you climb a rocky staircase with handrail cables that leads back along the ridge of the Colle Nero. This path runs parallel to the one you took on the way up, which you follow straight on until you reach the dirt road which, if you turn left, will take you back to the starting point in just a few minutes.