Carnic High Trail (Karnischer Hohenweg 403)
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| bagi4. 09. 2018 21:30:43 |
The Carnic 403 crosses the entire mountain range of the Carnic Alps from Sillian near the Dolomites to Thorl-Maglern near Tarvisio. It is also called the Peace Trail in memory of the bloody events of World War I. The nearly 200 km long trail was one big front line back then and even today it's full of military remnants along its entire length.
The *Höhenweg 403* trail mostly follows the border ridge between Austria and Italy, in the first half right under the peaks or over them. Due to favorable conditions we went entirely on this highest mountain variant. In case of bad weather or other reasons, some lower detours are occasionally possible, also marked 403 or 403a. For overnight stays, there are plenty of mountain huts mainly on the Austrian side. In high season they are quite full and reservations are almost mandatory.
We decided to hike the entire trail in one go for this year's vacation. As it turned out later, we were incredibly lucky with the date choice, as despite the rainy summer there was no noteworthy rain on any day and not a single peak was in fog. The rain gear only went for a walk with us this time and despite its considerable weight we were very happy about that  .
We started a bit further from Sillian, namely in San Candido, right at the beginning of the Carnic ridge. You can get there by train from Villach, but friends brought us to the starting point. Thanks to them . From Ljubljana it took us two and a half hours.
After a few excellent cappuccinos and farewell we finally set off on the long trail towards Slovenia. There's no point describing the daily distances, as every single day was special and full of experiences. The trail is well maintained, excellently marked, views wonderful all the way. We didn't overdo the pace, didn't set any of those modern norms and timetables  . Instead we leisurely enjoyed and visited most of the nearby peaks. Their difficulty varies, from easily walkable green peaks to more difficult rocky approaches. We had no major issues, but were quite cautious on exposed sections due to the substantial weight of the backpacks.
We slept in well-organized huts with friendly staff. Usually we took half-board and used the PZS membership discount. It applies only to overnight stays. For a few euros we could shower with hot water in every hut and that was invaluable after a full day of hiking  .
Service was always excellent and on time. Food varied, far from our ričet, jota and beans. Breakfasts were mostly self-service and unlimited. You could stuff yourself silly and prepare a snack for the trail without any bad conscience . Where possible, we stopped during the day for a hot meal.
At the end of the trail we drew a line under all costs. Calculated, overnight stays, showers, all food and drinks came to about 60 €/day/person. On such a long trail it doesn't get much cheaper, but you can sleep in a sleeping bag or tent in front of the hut and save a euro or two.
In the end…
We got much more than expected. Nice weather, wonderful views, really nice trail, unique experiences. There are trails you go once and trails you always happily return to. Carnic 403 without doubt belongs to the latter .
More written in the photo story. For all first-hand info I'm as always available on my email or PM (both in profile).
Some relentless stats from Garmin (Montana 600)…
Starting coordinates in San Candido: 46°43''51.2"N / 12°17''03.9"E
Trail length incl. peaks: 190 km
Elevation gain incl. peaks: 14,355 m
Took for the whole trail: 8 days
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| bbugari14. 09. 2018 23:11:54 |
Phenomenal, wonderful, congratulations...
Just a small historical correction: on picture 27 there is a border stone marking the year of installation (1920) after the Saint-Germain agreement (1919), not Rapallo, although the border here stayed the same as before the First World War.
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| skalaš705. 09. 2018 00:21:42 |
Speechless, I just say BRAVO and safe steps further!
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| maks575. 09. 2018 06:53:40 |
Fantastic! Bravo! Sincere congratulations!
How many peaks did you conquer on the trail?
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| geppo5. 09. 2018 07:49:27 |
Read with pleasure and interesting photo presentation
lp
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| bagi5. 09. 2018 08:59:44 |
Thanks all for sincere congratulations
@maks57 ... we hiked 33 peaks
@bbugari ... thanks, added
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| zokmann5. 09. 2018 11:05:03 |
crazy, wonderful, congratulations,
g.r
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| janez.novak5. 09. 2018 12:07:33 |
Congratulations! Every day you hiked over 30 km and 2300 elevation gain - quite some pace!
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| lino5. 09. 2018 20:31:10 |
This is such a wonderful vacation it already borders on a beautiful fairy tale. Good luck and much joy also in the future I wish. Lp
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| MatejaP6. 09. 2018 08:44:33 |
I also thank you nicely for the congratulations and recommend a visit if you have the chance, as logistically it's not too much hassle.
This kind of vacation has gotten under our skin, you unplug your head and just walk and enjoy the beautiful views where you can't see the end
May we all be granted such enjoyment for a long time
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| 2061alessio12. 09. 2018 20:08:50 |
you probably know that on the Italian side there is a 7-day hike "traversata carnica" from S.Candido to Coccau (village on the border before Thoerl Maglern where KHW 03 ends); it continues like this: s.candido-obstannersee hutte- m.cavallino-malga melin- passo palombino -val visdende- casera manzon-malga chivion- passo oregone-sorgenti del piave- rif. calvi- passo sesis- val fleons- casera sissanis- passo giramondo- lago volaia-rif. lambertenghi- sentiero spinotti-rif. marinelli- passo monte croce carnico- pal piccolo - pal grande- passo avostanis- malga pramosio-sella cercevesa- cason di lancia- pramollo-poludnig-rif. nordio-malga acomizza-sella bartolo-m.goriane-coccau . search the website for "traversata carnica".
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| AI11. 10. 2019 13:55:36 |
Since Bagi's post, the thing hasn't let me rest.
I've always liked the Carnics, hiking eight days through the Carnics is close to nirvana.
The penultimate week of September promised at least four days of nice weather, the ten-day forecast was optimistic too, so the decision fell almost instantly.
Two days of prep, buying some missing gear and studying (extensive) Bagi's documentation, which he kindly sent me.
Original plan was morning departure from home to the nearby train station, then via Jesenice, Villach and Lienz to Sillian. But it turned out that due to changes you lose quite some time, which on the first day due to altitude and distance isn't plentiful. So a friend kindly dropped me at Villach station, then it went smoothly and at half past nine I was already at the start in Sillian, where the official start of trail 403 is.
The trail to the first ridge peak, Helm, is nicely arranged, benches and historical-info boards make the ascent easier, where you happily rest for a couple minutes and check the signs in three languages. Water isn't lacking along the trail either. Additionally, the ascent was spiced up by sweet blueberries ripening at 2000+ m.
As for the trail itself, Bagi has said pretty much everything. The trail is really excellent therapy for both soul and body.
Without solid fitness it's not doable, but no special training needed either. Mostly you can bypass under the ridges and peaks instead. But the tour loses some attractiveness that way.
Mostly I followed Bagi's plan and ascended most peaks. But the stages are quite long and strenuous, and usually I was among the last at the hut.
Interestingly, more people had a similar plan than expected. Quite a few older couples too. Mostly they followed "valley" variants so no crowds on ridges, but huts fuller than expected.
I usually avoid huts for sleeping in mountains, but on such a long trail no choice, and Austrian huts leave a much better impression than ours.
Unfortunately the Carnic crossing ended sooner than hoped. The ten-day forecast was wrong and I aborted after four nice days at Plockenpass. The essence of such a tour is enjoying the trail and views, so walking in rain and fog really didn't appeal. But I'll surely return.
Finally thanks again to Bagi, Mateja and Slavko for all info and of course the ride home.
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| matzaj17. 03. 2025 06:54:12 |
Hello.
I'm interested - those who have hiked the trail - if you stick only to the trail and avoid peaks - is a helmet needed?
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| bagi17. 03. 2025 09:19:37 |
Hi
Trail 403 mostly runs along ridge paths with some alternative detours. The trail was originally for military and laid out accordingly. In many places it goes directly over peaks, most of which you visit by choice. We had helmets with us, but no particular need to use them.
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| gasperv6. 07. 2025 18:33:13 |
End of June my wife and I hiked trail no. 403.
Basis were stages from the Carnic Alps guidebook and trace from Mapzs (https://mapzs.pzs.si/path/139774). For hut reservations we used the website https://www.karnischer-hoehenweg.com/
Huts were very full first five stages (to Valentinalm). Most huts cash only. Shower available in every hut, food good, shared bunks not too big.
To start in Arnbach we had arranged car transport, after end we got home without issues and quickly by public transport (bus and two trains).
First part of trail stays at higher altitude, alpine environment. But last stages also offered great views. Along the trail many small lakes, we saw some chamois, lots of marmots and diverse flowers.
No water issues on trail. Could refill at every hut, and also some spots in between.
Trail completely snow-free. Marked well (except around Mokrin), but some sections, especially second part, overgrown with high grass or bushes.
If we look at individual stages - none stand out in length or elevation. But hiking eight consecutive days can still be tiring.
Trail no. 403 is an exceptional experience. If interested, I warmly recommend it.
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| Indi6. 08. 2025 19:59:03 |
In mid-July we two and two more female hikers hiked the High Carnic Trail. For me especially cool were completely new mountain trails and views. The atmosphere on the trail and in the huts was a bit like on the Camino; we often met some hikers and chatted. Some shepherds and foresters also addressed us. You can sleep almost on all Austrian and Italian pastures along the trail; just contacts for local huts are harder to find. And German guidebooks for the High Carnic Trail have shorter stages than suggested by Habjan and Bagi above; I learned from German-speaking hikers. ;-) To the starting point in Sillian Arnbach we came by trains, departure from Ljubljana at 5:24, arrival in Sillian Arnbach at 10:32 for 20 euros.
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| bernarda hrovat7. 08. 2025 20:43:19 |
Hello,
next week my husband and I intend to hike the High Carnic Trail to Plockenpass. The huts are very full; actually I couldn't reserve accommodation in any of them. But do I correctly understand that one can also sleep at shepherds' and not only in mountain huts? Do they take you under the roof in the hut even if it's full - like at home - so you can sleep on the floor?
We will be very grateful for any answer.
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| bagi12. 08. 2025 08:43:15 |
@bernarda ... every hut has some extra bed for very bad weather cases, but in nice weather they'll hardly accommodate you, especially Austrians. These are more on-the-spot decisions by hut keepers, you can't count on them for sure. They don't know our sleeping variants.
Not possible to sleep at every pasture, but at some yes. In September Carnic 403 will calm down a bit due to end of vacations, if that period suits you.
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| AI26. 08. 2025 13:09:40 |
@Lunatixz, since I'm planning something similar, as self-sufficient as possible for autumn, I'm interested what you did with food and water, did you supply in huts or had food with you, water refilled along the trail?
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