The nature reserve of
Val Rosandra
- San Dorligo della Valle/Dolina (TS)
- Parking: at the Visitor Center
About this place
Just 10 km from the city of Trieste, it is possible to immerse oneself in the wilderness of Val Rosandra, a 746-hectare protected area that marks the border with neighboring Slovenia. The nature reserve is characterized by great biodiversity, distinctive climate, and amazing geomorphology.
The Rosandra Valley has always been a destination for hikers, cavers and mountaineers who try their hand at the rock faces found there. The valley is easily accessible and is accessible to all, as there is the possibility of making easy but rewarding hikes.
Why visit
01.
Wild and fascinating
The Rosandra Valley is wild and fascinating: steep cliffs and scree, crags and vertical walls border the paths through the forest, which is dotted with dozens of caves.
02.
Beautiful for walking
Walking in the Rosandra Valley means exploring more or less challenging trails to discover unspoiled nature, part Mediterranean, part pre-Alpine. An immersion in the colors and scents of this enchanting natural oasis.
03.
Near Trieste
Residents of Trieste often travel to Val Rosandra for its landscapes and for the opportunity to carry out walks and hikes. For those visiting Trieste, a walk through the valley’s unspoiled nature is a must.
What to do and see in Val Rosandra
The Rosandra Valley is a land rich in history, and the earliest evidence dates back to prehistoric times. Fresh water and caves that provided shelter brought human presence from the earliest times. Added to this is the border with Slovenia and the proximity to the sea. Fortunately, human presence has always been temporary and has allowed this place to remain intact. Historic remains such as the mills, the Roman aqueduct, the church of Santa Maria in Siaris, the ice storage cisterns, and natural wonders, the waterfall, the caves, the Comici Capstone, the creek and puddles, and many others can be seen.
- Cascata di Val Rosandra
- Premuda Shelter
- Bike path
- Village of Bottazzo
- Roman aqueduct
- Church of Santa Maria in Siaris
- Slovenia border
- Caves
- Outdoor activities
Val Rosandra
Points of interest
The remains of the Roman aqueduct, the church of Santa Maria in Siaris and the Comici memorial stone, the bicycle path, caves, and all the natural beauty of Val Rosandra.
For further study, the pages on Rosandra Waterfall and Premuda Refuge are noted.
Paths and trails
Among many, they include:
- the remains of the Roman aqueduct and ancient mill, both visible near the Premuda shelter;
- the Friendship Trail, CAI 1-ex 13, which leads from the Premuda refuge to the viewpoint over the Rosandra stream waterfall and continues to the village of Bottazzo;
- CAI 25 and CAI 13 trails, which lead first to the small church of Santa Maria in Siaris, then to the Cippo Comici;
- CAI trail 39, which leads to Mount Karst and the Bukovec spring;
- the Foresta d’Acqua trail, which connects Bagnoli to Basovizza, following the places of water: the stream, the ponds, the mills, the caves, and the Jazere di Draga Sant’Elia, cisterns that were used for ice production. The trail is 15 km long, which can be covered in about 5 hours.
Church of Santa Maria in Siaris
Deviating from CAI Trail 1 to CAI 25, one encounters the solitary little church of Santa Maria in Siaris, called, in the Slovenian language, Madonna on the rocks. The road is steeper and more challenging, but it is worth forking it to admire the lovely little church.
Continuing on, the road leads to the Comici cippus, an extraordinary viewpoint.
The Roman aqueduct
The Rosandra Valley has been frequented by man since the earliest times, and the remains of the 1st-century Roman aqueduct can still be seen, among other evidence.
The aqueduct measured 14 kilometers and reached the center of ancient Tergeste, which it supplied until the sixth or seventh century.
Today you can visit its remains near the beginning of CAI trail 1-ex 13.
The village of Bottazzo and the former border
For those who have walked the Friendship Trail to the waterfall of the Rosandra stream, it is recommended to continue to the village of Bottazzo, a very quaint little hamlet. Nearby are the remains of 4 ancient mills, while the old border with Slovenia is located in the village.
The vantage points
The bike path
Pedaling or walking along the Giordano Cottur bike/pedestrian path one is amazed to encounter railway stations and tunnels carved into the rock. This is because this particular bike path was set up on the route of the former Trieste-Erpelle Cosina railroad, which was dismantled in 1966.
Another reason to make it special is that starting from the center of the city of Trieste, the bike path leads directly into the unspoiled nature of the Rosandra Valley.
The trail is easy and suitable for everyone, and can also be walked as it has several accesses.
The bike path allows you to stop in Bottazzo or go as far as Kozina in Slovenia.
Services and information
PARKING
From Trieste, reach Bagnoli della Rosandra by car or city bus. Leave your car at the Bagnoli Visitor Center or, on weekdays, at the Premuda shelter.WHEN TO GO THERE?
The Rosandra Valley is a natural area that, although it has a pre-Alpine landscape, is at an elevation that is not high. Consequently, it is possible to go there in all seasons.ENTRY AND COST
The Rosandra Valley is a protected area that is always accessible. No admission fee is charged.SERVICES
The area has services such as bars, restaurants, and accommodations in neighboring hamlets (Bottazzo, Bagnoli della Rosandra, Domio, etc.) and all the amenities of the nearby city of Trieste. Val Rosandra has a Visitor Center located in the Multipurpose Center in Bagnoli della Rosandra, which can be contacted for information about the valley and about activities and itineraries.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Val Rosandra is about 10 km from Trieste and can be easily reached by car or city bus.
The Rosandra Valley is famous because it is still a wild and unspoiled environment, but still accessible to humans. It is also located just minutes from the city of Trieste.
The waterfall can be reached in about 45 minutes of walking on an easy path through the forest.
Contact the visitor center
Through this section you can contact the Val Rosandra visitor center directly. Explorer FVG does not handle responses, nor is it responsible for the information exchanged in these conversations.
For information:
Rosandra Valley Nature Reserve Visitor Center
Baths of Rosandra, Boljunec 507
34018 San Dorligo della Valle – Dolina (TS)
Active every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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