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.