At 170 km in length, the Tagliamento is one of the most important rivers in Italy. Also known as the “King of Alpine Rivers”, its source is in the Alps, near the Mauria Pass. It flows through the Carnia area and then into the Adriatic Sea between Lignano Sabbiadoro and Bibione.
It’s thought that the name probably comes from “Telia” or “Tilia” (meaning “Linden”) and that in ancient times it flowed alongside a forest of these trees. The river marks the boundary between Friuli and Veneto and is known by a number of names: Tilliment, Taiament, Timent (in Friulian) and Tajamento (in Veneto).
Near Udine, in the upper part of its course, the bed of the river is covered with pebbles and it’s often completely dry. However, near the mouth it has a considerable flow and the level can sometimes rise very quickly when there is heavy rain.
No holiday in Bibione would be complete without a nice walk or bike ride to the mouth of the Tagliamento, where the majestic Bibione lighthouse stands.
Where is the mouth of the Tagliamento?
The mouth of the river is an estuary. It took shape over the centuries as sand carried by the river and currents in the sea was deposited on two different sides, by Bibione and Lignano beaches.
If you start in Piazzale Zenith in Bibione and keep walking east, it takes about 40 minutes to get to the mouth of the Tagliamento. Alternatively, you can comfortably cycle there in 15 minutes. Either way, it’s worth the trip because on the way you’ll see some spellbinding sights.
Flora and fauna in the mouth of the Tagliamento
There are so many reasons and ways to admire and appreciate this wild, natural area. In particular, it’s a spectacular place to walk or ride a bike in natural surroundings, among native species of trees of great environmental significance that provide various types of local wildlife with somewhere to build nests, dens and burrows.
– In the pine woods in the mouth of the Tagliamento river, you can find yellow-legged gulls, great spotted woodpeckers, sparrowhawks, Eurasian scops owls, common terns, European green woodpeckers, cormorants, long-tailed tits, little egrets, Kentish plovers and other birds.
Among the other rare species of protected wildlife are Hermann’s tortoises, European pond turtles and various amphibians and reptiles, hedgehogs and small rodents. In the woods, you might sometimes come across families of roe deer, but they tend to be very wary so you can normally only catch a quick glimpse of them.
– The range of fish living in the water in the mouth of the river includes eels, grey mullet, gilt-head bream and sea bass.
– Numerous protected species of trees grow in the woods, along with 25 different types of wild orchids, golden lilies, field gladiolus, stemless gentian, primroses and the extremely rare Stipa veneta Moraldo, which is also known as “Lino delle Fate” (“Fairy Flax”).
The Mouth of the Tagliamento: what to do
As well as getting some great exercise by running up to the mouth of the Tagliamento, there are lots of other wonderful things for you to enjoy in this heavenly spot:
– First of all, relish the relaxing scenery. The sea and the beach are breathtaking both in the sunshine and when it’s overcast and the wind sends enormous clouds sweeping across the sky.
Many photographers love to come here in the winter and take pictures of Bibione Lighthouse among the sand dunes both in the day and at night, when the lack of light pollution on the empty beach means it’s possible to see and take photos of the glorious Milky Way.
– By the mouth of the river, you’ll often come across people fishing or taking their dogs out to run on the public beach. If you want to bring your four-legged friends here for some fun, it’s a quiet spot where they can also go for a swim. Just make sure they don’t go too far from the shore.
On the cycle path with a wooden surface that runs along the edge of the beach, you can sometimes enjoy the sight of art installations made out of coloured wooden posts, interwoven branches or natural stones that blend into the natural environment.
– Visit Bibione lighthouse. From 1 May until the end of September, the outside area is open to the public from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, while the inside area opens from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Once the summer is over, the lighthouse can normally only be visited at the weekend.
Please note that there is a transport service to take people with mobility issues to the lighthouse. You can book by calling +39 0431 444846 or emailing iat@comunesanmichele.it.
The lighthouse often hosts exhibitions covering a range of themes. Inside, you will also find a complete overview of its history, as well as photos of the families that have run it over the years.
In addition, you can use the toilets and buy a soft drink, snack or coffee from a vending machine.
Finally, Bibione Lighthouse at the mouth of the Tagliamento has become a symbol of the resort, but it also continues to serve its important, original purpose as a beacon for fishing boats and other vessels out on the sea at night. This means that it is not possible to visit the lamp at the top, because it belongs to the Italian Navy.
– Near the mouth of the river, you can buy tickets for the X River boat + bike ferry service, which lets you take your bicycle across the river to Lignano and carry on riding.
– One interesting route for cycling enthusiasts to follow is the “GiraTagliamento”, which winds its way from Punta Tagliamento to the Alvisopoli Woods, via San Michele al Tagliamento, Teglio Veneto and Fossalta di Portogruaro. It’s approximately 45 km long and runs along the embankments by the Tagliamento, as well as on dirt tracks in the countryside. The ride takes about three hours and there are views of the sea, the banks of the river, fields on farms and orchards. It’s best to do it at cooler times of the day, when the sun isn’t as hot.
– You might also like to walk through the Bibione pine woods to the mouth of the Tagliamento and do some birdwatching. The sound of the songs in peaceful surroundings is magical and there are numerous birds to spot, of both sedentary and migratory species.
These are all activities that are ideal to do with children, many of whom do not often get the chance to spend time in the great outdoors. It gives them the opportunity to get to know lots of species of plants and animals that they would not normally see.
How do you get to the mouth of the Tagliamento?
If you’re on holiday in Bibione, look out towards the sea from Piazzale Zenith and head left. You have three choices:
– Take the path that’s furthest inland and goes through the lush pine woods. You’ll be able to walk or run most of the way in the shade.
– Take the cycle path with a wooden surface, which runs between the pine woods and the beach. It’s a chance to breathe in the salty, iodine-rich sea air.
– Take a gentle stroll to the mouth and the lighthouse along the shoreline, with the waves pleasantly washing around your ankles and cooling you down.
The best time to take a trip to the lighthouse is at dawn or dusk, when the bright colours of the rising or setting sun really bring out the picturesque beauty of the wild, natural landscape. You won’t be able to resist the urge to take lots of photos and show your friends and family what a gorgeous place you’ve visited.
If you’re on holiday in Caorle or Jesolo, the easiest way to get to Bibione is definitely driving. Simply jump in your car and put the destination in your sat nav. Alternatively, there are buses that run between the three beach resorts. Getting around by train takes longer and is more complicated.
If we’ve piqued your curiosity with this information about the mouth of the river that separates Veneto from Friuli, come and see the wonders of Bibione for yourself, follow our blog for all the latest news about our local beach resorts and book a holiday in Bibione on our website.
We’ll always be happy to give you advice and help you to choose a magical holiday by the sea. Feel free to get in touch at any time
