Blurent Rental company category:Economy
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Carnia camperLocation Details on Blurent DocumentationView map
Hiring a campervan in Tolmezzo puts you straight into the heart of Carnia, the Alpine part of Friuli, where the But river meets the Tagliamento. In less than an hour you can reach the turquoise Lake Verzegnis, the hamlets of Sauris known for their smoked ham, the Friulian Dolomites or the Monte Croce Carnico Pass, which crosses into Austria. Our partner company Blurent hands over its vehicles at its Carnia Camper depot.
The Carnia exit of the A23 motorway is close by: Udine, the Friulian plain and the Adriatic remain easy to reach if you want to end your trip by the sea.
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Where to pick up your vehicle in Tolmezzo?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Tolmezzo
1 Over the Monte Croce Carnico Pass to East Tyrol
- Tolmezzo
- Paluzza
- Monte Croce Carnico Pass
- Kötschach-Mauthen
- Lienz
- San Candido
- Sappada
- Forni Avoltri
- Tolmezzo
The But valley climbs through Arta Terme and Paluzza to Timau, at the foot of the Monte Croce Carnico Pass, where remains of the 1915–1917 fighting line the road. On the Austrian side, Kötschach-Mauthen opens onto the Gail Valley, then the Gailbergsattel drops down to the Drava and Lienz.
The way back runs through San Candido, the Monte Croce di Comelico Pass, Sappada, a village of wooden houses that joined Friuli in 2017, and the Degano valley via Forni Avoltri.
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or compact motorhome
2 Lake Cavazzo, Venzone, Gemona and San Daniele
- Tolmezzo
- Lake Cavazzo
- Bordano
- Venzone
- Gemona del Friuli
- Osoppo
- Lake Cornino
- San Daniele del Friuli
- Tolmezzo
South of Tolmezzo, Lake Cavazzo, the largest natural lake in Friuli, borders Bordano and its butterfly house. Across the Tagliamento, Venzone and Gemona tell the story of the 1976 earthquake: walls, cathedrals and lanes were raised again with the original stones. The loop ends with the fortress of Osoppo, the griffon vultures of the Lake Cornino reserve and San Daniele ham, cured on its hill.
- Distance
- about 120 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
3 One way to Venice through the Dolomites
- Tolmezzo
- Lake Verzegnis
- Ampezzo
- Forni di Sopra
- Mauria Pass
- Pieve di Cadore
- Belluno
- Feltre
- Valdobbiadene
- Venice
After a detour to Lake Verzegnis and its turquoise water, the upper Tagliamento valley leads through Ampezzo to Forni di Sopra, gateway to the Friulian Dolomites nature park. The Mauria Pass crosses into Cadore: Pieve di Cadore, birthplace of Titian, then the Piave valley down to Belluno and Feltre. The prosecco hills of Valdobbiadene come before the arrival in Venice, another departure city of our partners, where you return the vehicle.
- Distance
- about 290 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in Tolmezzo?
Best time
June and September
June, September
highs 22 to 25 °C, lows 12 to 15 °C
The ideal months for hiking and mountain passes: high trails clear of snow, most mountain huts open and quiet villages outside the Italian holidays. Thunderstorms remain frequent and rainfall heavy, even in June: hike in the morning. In September the high pastures empty and the first autumn colours spread across the slopes.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 26 to 27 °C, lows 16 °C
Peak season in Carnia, where people come for the cool air: nights drop to around 16 °C in the valley, and lower still at altitude. Lakes Verzegnis and Sauris, the Zoncolan and Forni di Sopra draw crowds at weekends, especially around 15 August: book your vehicle and campsites, and arrive early at the motorhome areas.
April, May and October
April to May, October
highs 16 to 19 °C, lows 5 to 10 °C
Green but damp shoulder seasons: with over 230 mm, May and October are the wettest months of the year in Tolmezzo. Snow still closes some passes in April and sometimes returns as early as October. These weeks suit the valley towns, Venzone, Gemona and San Daniele, better than the high roads.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 7 to 12 °C, lows -3 to 2 °C
A cold winter, with lows below freezing from December to February and passes sometimes closed. The ski resorts of Forni di Sopra, Ravascletto-Zoncolan and Sappada then keep the mountains busy. A heated motorhome equipped for snow makes a ski holiday possible, provided you check that motorhome areas and campsites are open.
Climate in Tolmezzo, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7 °C | -3 °C | 94 mm | 6 h/day |
| Feb | 9 °C | -1 °C | 120 mm | 7 h/day |
| Mar | 12 °C | 2 °C | 141 mm | 8 h/day |
| Apr | 16 °C | 5 °C | 189 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 19 °C | 10 °C | 240 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 25 °C | 15 °C | 174 mm | 12 h/day |
| Jul | 26 °C | 16 °C | 138 mm | 13 h/day |
| Aug | 27 °C | 16 °C | 177 mm | 12 h/day |
| Sep | 22 °C | 12 °C | 178 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 17 °C | 8 °C | 236 mm | 7 h/day |
| Nov | 12 °C | 2 °C | 212 mm | 6 h/day |
| Dec | 8 °C | -2 °C | 131 mm | 6 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
The Monte Croce Carnico Pass
This border pass, called Plöckenpass in Austria, links Tolmezzo to the Gail Valley by a winding road, with tunnels and tight bends above Timau. The Austrian side has been closed for long periods after rockfalls in recent years: check the road conditions before setting off and plan the detour via Tarvisio if needed.
Austrian vignette: motorways only
Via the Monte Croce Carnico and then the main roads of the Gail and Drava valleys, no vignette is needed. It becomes compulsory as soon as you use an Austrian motorway or expressway, for example to return via Villach and Tarvisio: get one before the border, online or at a petrol station.
Fill up in Tolmezzo
Tolmezzo is the main shopping town in Carnia: supermarkets, petrol stations and outdoor shops are concentrated here. In the upper valleys, towards Sauris, Forni Avoltri or Paularo, fuel stations are scarce and village shops often close at midday: fill the tank and the cupboards, and check your gas supply before heading up.
Winter equipment required
In Carnia, winter equipment is generally required from 15 November to 15 April on mountain roads, and snow can fall on the passes as early as October. Ask the rental company whether the vehicle has winter tyres or snow chains, and check road conditions before heading for Sappada or Forni di Sopra.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Tolmezzo
Where can I pick up a campervan in Tolmezzo?
Your vehicle is waiting at Blurent, the only partner company in Tolmezzo, which works here with Carnia Camper. The depot's details and the key handover slot are given after booking. If you arrive without a car, the station known as "per la Carnia", about ten kilometres away, and regional buses from Udine serve the area: arrange the meeting in advance.
How much does campervan hire cost in Tolmezzo?
The price depends on the season, the length of hire, the size of the vehicle and the number of berths; summer and the winter holidays are the busiest periods in Carnia. Run a search with your dates: available offers are shown with their real price, mandatory fees included. Also budget for A23 tolls, a possible Austrian vignette and nights at motorhome areas or campsites.
Can I drive to Austria with a campervan hired in Tolmezzo?
Austria is only about 35 km away via the Monte Croce Carnico Pass, and Villach can be reached via Tarvisio in just over an hour. Each company sets its own rules, however: whether leaving the country is allowed, which countries the insurance covers, any surcharge. Check the offer's conditions before planning Carinthia, East Tyrol or neighbouring Slovenia.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
Yes, depending on the offer. Blurent also operates in Fogliano Redipuglia, next to Monfalcone, and in Sommacampagna, near Lake Garda; other partner companies operate in Trieste, Venice, near Vicenza and in Verona. Choose the return city in the search: any one-way fees are then included in the price shown.
What is there to see in Tolmezzo before setting off?
The Michele Gortani Carnic Museum of Popular Arts, rich in costumes, furniture, tools and reconstructed interiors, deserves half a day. The centre keeps its arcades, Palazzo Linussio, an 18th-century residence and textile factory, and the cathedral of San Martino. Above the town, the Picotta tower looks over the meeting of the But and the Tagliamento.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Tolmezzo with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Good and quick communication, easy to book and easy to follow all the instructions.
C.
Italy · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
Cooldrive was very attentive and very responsive in all situations. We received valuable assistance in the steps to be taken. I highly recommend it.
P.
Italy · Jul 2025
Trustpilot
The person answered my questions before I confirmed the booking. The van matched my order well with extras. During my trip, I had a little issue that had nothing to do with Cooldrive. I appreciated that the person took the time to call me back. No bad surprises, only good ones. Highly recommended.
Q.
Italy · Sep 2024
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Tolmezzo
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Italy?
A category B licence lets you drive rental campervans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes, which covers the vast majority of the fleet. A licence issued outside the European Union should in principle be accompanied by an international driving permit or an official translation. The company states the minimum age and years of driving experience in its conditions.
Which airport should I choose for a departure from Tolmezzo?
Trieste airport, at Ronchi dei Legionari, is the closest, about 90 km away via the A4 and A23 motorways. Venice Marco Polo and Treviso are a little under two hours' drive away, as are Klagenfurt and Ljubljana, on the other side of the Alps. From Trieste or Venice, a train to Udine and then a bus to Carnia complete the journey.
Where can I sleep in a motorhome in Carnia?
Several mountain villages have set up motorhome areas, often basic, sometimes with waste disposal, and a few campsites open in summer near the lakes and in the upper valleys. Overnight parking elsewhere is regulated locally: follow the signs, especially on the shores of Lakes Verzegnis and Sauris and on pass roads.
How many days should I plan from Tolmezzo?
A long weekend is enough for Lake Cavazzo, Venzone and Gemona, all close by. Allow four to five days for a loop through Austria and Sappada, or to reach Venice through the Dolomites, and one to two weeks to combine Carnia, the Julian Alps and the Adriatic coast without long days behind the wheel.
When should I book a campervan in Tolmezzo?
Already in winter for July and August, when Italian and Austrian families come up to Carnia for the cool air, as well as for Easter and spring bank holidays. In June and September, a few weeks are usually enough. For a ski trip, make sure early that a vehicle equipped for snow is available.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Tolmezzo
Tolmezzo is the small capital of Carnia, a mountain area still little visited, where villages have kept their stone and wooden houses, their festivals and their dialects. Sauris, a German-speaking enclave known for its smoked ham, Sappada and its wooden farmhouses, the Resia valley and its Slavic dialect, or the Zoncolan, a feared climb of the Giro d'Italia, each offer a different stop, within roughly an hour's drive.
Starting in the mountains also lets you vary the scenery: the Friulian Dolomites to the west, Austria to the north, the towns rebuilt after the 1976 earthquake to the south, then Venice, Trieste or Fogliano Redipuglia to finish on the plain or by the sea with the partner companies operating there. From June to September, the cool valleys make nights in a campervan especially pleasant.