The Karnischer Hohenweg

The Karnischer Höhenweg — also known as the Carnic Peace Trail or the Carnic High Route — is one of the Alps’ most spectacular long-distance ridge walks, tracing the mountain frontier between Austria and Italy.

Stretching for around 170km (106 miles) along the crest of the Carnic Alps, this dramatic high-level trail combines panoramic summits, wartime history and classic alpine hut-to-hut trekking across a landscape shaped by geology and conflict.

This expertly crafted Cicerone guidebook provides everything you need to walk the Karnischer Höhenweg with confidence and clarity. With detailed stage-by-stage route descriptions, mapping and essential logistical guidance, it supports hikers on a rewarding 9–11 day hut-to-hut trek, suitable for experienced mountain walkers comfortable with exposed terrain and occasional protected scrambling.

• Comprehensive stage breakdown divides the Karnischer Höhenweg into 10 manageable daily sections ranging from 6 to 28km, helping you plan distances, ascent and accommodation along this demanding high-level Alpine route
• Detailed 1:50,000 mapping, GPX files and elevation profiles support safe navigation across exposed ridges, rocky paths and via ferrata sections characteristic of the Carnic Alps frontier terrain
• Practical logistics guidance covers travel to and from the trail, seasonal considerations, mountain hut booking, and kit preparation specific to hut-to-hut trekking between Austria and Italy
• Full coverage of both the Austrian and Italian variants, allowing you to choose the line that best suits your experience and interests, with options to climb neighbouring peaks such as Monte Coglians
• Historical and geological insight enriches your journey along this former World War I front line, where open-air museums, tunnels and fortifications punctuate the mountain crest

From sweeping summit views to atmospheric mountain refuges, the Karnischer Höhenweg is a trail that combines challenge, history and pure alpine beauty. With this trusted guidebook in your pack, you can immerse yourself fully in the rhythm of the mountains and experience one of Europe’s finest cross-border ridge walks with confidence.

Seasons

The Karnischer Höhenweg is a high Alpine trek and can only be walked in the summer between mid-July and the end of September.

Centres

A linear ridge walk, the Karnischer Höhenweg starts at Sillian in the west and ends near Arnoldstein in the east, and crosses major road passes at Plöckenpass and Nassfeld.

Difficulty

The Karnischer Höhenweg is a clearly waymarked and well-supported high-altitude trek. The key requirements for its enjoyment are a reasonable level of fitness, a sense of adventure and a head for heights. There are a few places where steel cables and ladders need to be negotiated but these don't require any special equipment or technical expertise.

Must See

First World War remains; the open-air museum at the Plöckenpass; views of the Dolomites, Hohe Tauern and Julian Alps; the unique geology of the Carnic Alps UNESCO geopark; Monte Coglians - the highest summit in the Carnic Alps and home to the Peace Bell

Map key

Area map

Route overview map

Route summary tables

Introduction

The Peace Trail

The route

World War I earthworks and remains

The landscape and views

Geology

Plants and wildlife

How hard is the walk?

Selecting an itinerary

Getting to and from the route

When to go

Accommodation and food

Budget

What to take

Routefinding

Safety and emergencies

Using this guide

The route

Stage 1 Arnbach to Obstanserseehütte

Stage 2 Obstanserseehütte to Porzehütte

Stage 3 Porzehütte to Hochweißsteinhaus

Stage 4 Austrian route: Hochweißsteinhaus to Gasthof Valentinalm

Stage 4A Italian route: Hochweißsteinhaus to Rifugio Marinelli

Stage 5 Austrian route: Gasthof Valentinalm to Zollnerseehütte

Stage 5A Italian route: Rifugio Marinelli to Plöckenpass

Stage 5B Italian route: Plöckenpass to Casera Pramosio

Stage 5C Italian route: Casera Pramosio to Zollnerseehütte

Stage 6 Zollnerseehütte to Nassfeld

Stage 7 Nassfeld to Gasthaus Starhand

Stage 8 Gasthaus Starhand to Arnoldstein

Appendix A Route breakdown

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Useful contacts