Reprinted
The Karnischer Hohenweg
A 1-2 week trek on the Carnic Peace Trail: Austria and Italy
The Karnischer Hohenweg
A 1-2 week trek on the Carnic Peace Trail: Austria and Italy
English-language guidebook to the Karnischer Höhenweg, a 170km waymarked hut-to-hut trek along the border between Italy and Austria. Also known as the Carnic Peace Trail, it runs west to east along the ridge of the Carnic Alps, the site of the WW1 front line. With information on planning your trip, accommodation and the history of the area.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.
Karnsicher Höhenweg - Quick Facts
Trail name: Karnischer Höhenweg (Carnic High Route / Carnic Peace Trail)
Location: Carnic Alps, Austrian–Italian border (Eastern Alps)
Total distance: 170 km / 106 miles
Typical duration: 8–11 days
Start: Sillian (Austria)
Finish: Thörl-Maglern (Austria)
Trail type: High-level hut-to-hut ridge traverse
Difficulty: Challenging (experienced mountain walkers)
Terrain: Exposed ridgelines, rocky mountain paths, via ferrata sections, alpine passes
Navigation: Waymarked trail with map (1:50,000) and GPX recommended
Best season: mid-July to September (depending on snow conditions)
Accommodation: Alpine mountain huts (Hütten and rifugi) along the route
Variants: Austrian and Italian route options, with optional summit ascents (e.g. Monte Coglians)
Author Highlight
“The Karnischer Höhenweg follows the World War I front line, and reminders of the conflict that defined both Italy and Austria are everywhere. Although the fighting took place 100 years ago, the front line – marked out by trenches, dugouts and barbed wire – is still a distinct feature.”
- John Hayes, author of The Karnischer Hohenweg
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852849429
Availability
Published
Published
19 Jun 2018
Edition
First
Pages
160
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.00cm
Weight
200g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device. To access your eBook, you will need an eReader app. For more details, visit the eBook FAQs.
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
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
September 2022
Page 135
The potentially challenging route, and shortcut, has been made easier by the recent construction of a gravel road. There isn't a bridge over the river near the middle of the shortcut but crossing shouldn't be a problem unless there is heavy rain.
July 2019
Route updates
Stage 2:
There is no reference in the text on page 60/61 to a sign now positioned on the col between the Kliene Kinegat and the Große Kinegat, pointing to a Klettersteig’ (Via Ferrata) to the Große Kinegat. For the avoidance of doubt, this sign should be ignored.
Stage 3:
The sign referred to in the text on page 70 (and shown in a picture in the Introduction on page 35) has now been replaced with a new sign. It points to a hard route, which follows the route described in the text and stays on the northern side of the ridge, and an easy route which goes on the southern side. Both routes go to the Luggauer Sattel. The northern route is the original KH route and will have snow on it early in the season.
Page 137: The Rifugio Nordio Deffar has now been rebuilt after the fire that closed it and is open for business. Details can be found at https://caisag.ts.it/fratelli-nordio/
Stage 3: Local reports suggest that storms in late 2018 left the bad weather option on Stage 3 blocked by fallen trees at the beginning of the the 2019 season. If hikers are considering this alternative to the recommended route they should seek guidance at the Porzehutte as to its current status.
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
Learn moreDiscover the Cicerone App
The Cicerone App brings decades of expertise straight to your phone, making it easier than ever to plan and enjoy your adventures wherever you are. For use with In-App guides — not compatible with eBooks.
Popular related guides
