The Livenza (in Italian, Il Livenza, or in Veneta, the Venetian dialect, La Livenza) is a short river that has its source just north of Sacile, and which, in the section between Sacile and Motta di Livenza, flows more-or-less along the border between Veneto and Friuli, then touches on Santo Stino di Livenza and flows into the Adriatic just north of Caorle.
This bike route that follows along the river isn’t signed, but I will describe the route that for the most part is on dedicated bike paths or on roads with little traffic.
From the train station at Sacile, exit towards the east and leave town towards the south by following the provincial routes (SP 15 in the Province of Pordenone, and then SP 44 in the Province of Treviso) towards Brugnera (Via Giuseppe Bertolissi, then Via Francenigo); in the town of Francenigo there is a section of bike route that follows the road and also along the river. Continuing to follow SP 15 you will arrive at a long bridge over the Livenza, and immediately after an interchange to the right gets you onto SP 67, where, immediately on the right, you will come upon the large park of Villa Varda. It is worth your time to visit the villa and the park, although during the summer they can be quite crowded.
Follow for some distance [4 km/2.5 miles] along provincial road SP 67 until you come to a rotary which takes you onto SP 50; immediately after, on the right, a bicycle/pedestrian underpass takes you directly to the village of Portobuffolè, acclaimed as one of the best preserved medieval towns of the Veneto.
On the immediate left, you will see the large structure of Villa Giustinian, a beautiful Venetian villa which has been restored and today is home to a luxury hotel and restaurant. A bit further along there is a bridge described as a bridge over the Livenza (but the river underneath isn’t there any more!) and which marks the entrance into the medieval neighborhood of Portobuffolè, where the house of Gaia del Camino, a noblewoman of the fourteenth century and mentioned by Dante [in (*)Purgatory, RB], is designated with a historical marker.
After Portobuffolè you return to the provincial road as far as Mansuè where you leave the provincial road for local streets (Via Roma, etc.) as far as Navole, and then along the Livenza, as far as the village of Motta di Livenza. Here you cross a canal and then follow the Riviera Scarpa up to a narrow metal bridge, partially closed to motor traffic; cross this bridge and follow first along the river and then along the Livenza Canal as far as Corbolone, beyond which you enter the town of Santo Stino di Livenza; here you will find a train station on the Venezia-Trieste line.
Last visit December 8, 2011.
By other surname do I know him not, Unless I take it from his daughter Gaia. May God be with you, for I come no farther.X
Sacile-S. Stino di Livenza 37 km
