The Karnischer Hohenweg

A 1-2 week trek on the Carnic Peace Trail: Austria and Italy

By John Hayes

ISBN

9781852849429

Availability

Published

19 Jun 2018

Edition

First

Pages

160

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.00cm

Weight

200g

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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.

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

ISBN

9781852849429

Availability

Published

19 Jun 2018

Edition

First

Pages

160

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.00cm

Weight

200g

Overview

This guidebook describes the Karnischer Höhenweg, a 170km long-distance walk through the beautiful Carnic Alps which straddle the border between Austria and Italy. Following a high Alpine trail along the main ridge, the route is clearly waymarked and requires a reasonable level of fitness, a sense of adventure and a head for heights, but no special equipment or technical expertise. It can be walked between mid-July and the end of September and takes up to a fortnight, though it is possible to devise shorter itineraries taking in the highlights.

The guide describes the full route of the Karnischer Höhenweg from Arnbach, near Sillian, to Arnoldstein, near Villach, and includes plenty of practical information to help you prepare for the walk. Each stage features comprehensive route description, clear mapping and fascinating insights into the history of the 'war in the mountains' plus other local points of interest. Accommodation listings and other useful contacts can be found in the appendices.

Also known as the Friedensweg ('Peace Trail'), the route follows the First World War front line, and reminders of the conflict are everywhere. But the trail isn't just rich in historical interest: this is Alpine ridge-walking at its best, boasting spectacular mountain vistas and views of the Dolomites, Hohe Tauern and Julian Alps. The guide covers two key variants of the trail, one on the Austrian side of the border, the other on the Italian side. Also included is an optional ascent of Monte Coglians, the highest peak in the Carnic Alps, and a visit to the open-air museum at the Plöckenpass.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

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

Updates

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.

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John Hayes

John Hayes is a retired management consultant with degrees from Liverpool University and University College London. Immediately after finishing work in 2011 he embarked on an epic 5,000km trek across Europe, walking from Tarifa in Spain to Budapest. John has written for numerous walking and trekking magazines, and has written four walking guides and a cycling guide for Cicerone.

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