The Emerald Pools are one of the major tourist attractions of Friuli Venezia Giulia. They are located in Val Tramontina, inside the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park and offer visitors a unique and evocative spectacle, among their waters of deep green and the remains of the ancient village of Frassaneit.
It is a place much loved by enthusiasts of trekking and hiking, because it offers various routes and destinations where you can be in direct contact with the most wild and unspoiled nature. Its trails are suitable both for experienced walkers and families with children who, once there, will enjoy a truly spectacular setting.
Where They Are and How to Reach Them
In 2014, the newspaper “The Guardian” ranked the so-called “Emerald Pools”, that is the Emerald Pools, in fourth place among the most beautiful natural pools in Italy, helping to increase their popularity worldwide.
As mentioned, the Emerald Pools are located in Val Tramontina and more precisely in Tramonti di Sopra. Val Tramontina is one of the seven valleys that make up the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park. It is accessible from several points, including Meduno, in the province of Pordenone, and Monte Rest, near Udine.
Every year, the Emerald Pools are a destination for thousands of tourists, attracted by the unique and singular beauty of the place, located in the heart of nature and in a zone of peace and tranquility. Until a few years ago, it was a place suitable for meditation and relaxation, but over time its beauty has drawn more and more people from all over Italy and Europe.
Reaching the Emerald Pools is not difficult, thanks to the many signposts along the roads. The ideal arrival point is the parking lot in Tramonti di Sopra called “Emerald Pools Parking”, where you can leave your car and continue on foot. The path to the Pools takes between 20 and 30 minutes. However, it has no significant elevation changes, as it is quite easy and comfortable, also thanks to stretches of paved road.
However, it is advisable to equip yourself properly, both to face the walk and for the characteristics of the place. Therefore, you will need a pair of comfortable shoes, tennis or hiking shoes, appropriate clothing, preferably hiking gear, and a supply of water.
Emerald Pools: A Bit of History
The Emerald Pools owe their name to the unique color of their waters, created by the spectacular play of light and shades that nature around offers visitors every day.
This extraordinary place was formed thanks to the Meduna stream, the main tributary of the Livenza River. Flowing over the rocks, it carved a kind of canyon, inside which small natural waterfalls of various sizes formed, creating, depending on the sunlight, extraordinary effects.
This unique characteristic in the world has made the area famous, which soon became a destination for curious visitors, attracted precisely by the magnificent natural spectacle offered by the waterfalls, drops, and the small coves of the canyon.
Some Tips for a Hike to the Emerald Pools
A hike to the Emerald Pools is a very popular activity among enthusiasts. Every day, the trails leading to this natural oasis fill with people who want to swim and relax in the sun.
The ideal itinerary starts from Tramonti di Sopra, where you can leave your car and continue on foot, following scenic and charming trails. This location is about an hour from Pordenone. Therefore, it is a trip that can be organized even as a day trip, especially during spring or summer.
Along the entire walk to the Emerald Pools, you will find many signposts that will make the journey easy and quick. In particular, you will follow the Meduna River and take a fairly comfortable path, where paved sections alternate with dirt.
After about half an hour, you will reach a bridge from which you can already admire the waterfalls that feed the Pools and the Meduna River itself. From here, you can go down under the bridge and follow the river course. Or, continue along the fisherman's trail, which will take you up a few meters and then back down to the Pools.
You will be faced with an incredible spectacle, thanks to the crystal-clear waters and the magical atmosphere that pervades the area. The best time for a dip in the Emerald Pools is, naturally, summer, because in other seasons you risk finding the waters really cold.
If you too want to discover the magic of the Emerald Pools, join Meeters and take part in an organized trip, you will have fun and make new friends.