CARNIC CROSSING – 2 Trekking of HIGH WAY between Italy and Austria

Individual Arrival in TOLMEZZO

Arrive independently in Tolmezzo, the capital of Carnia and awarded Alpine City of the Year 2017.

Free Time for Sightseeing

Explore the historic center, which preserves traces of a 15th-century urban layout, particularly in the Borgat district. Highlights include:
🏰 Porta di Sotto, Santa Caterina Church, and Casa Janesi
⛪ San Martino Cathedral, overlooking Piazza XX Settembre
🏛️ Carnic Museum of Popular Arts, housed in the 17th-century Palazzo Campeis, one of the most important ethnographic museums in Europe.

Accommodation & Stay

🏨 Check-in at a 3-star hotel in Tolmezzo or nearby.
🍽️ Dinner at your leisure.
🛏️ Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Trekking from Passo di Monte Croce Carnico to Rifugio Casera Pramosio Bassa

☕ Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer from Tolmezzo to Passo di Monte Croce Carnico (Plockenpass, 1,357m).

Trekking Itinerary

🥾 Starting altitude: 1,357m
📍 Trail: Historic route dedicated to World War I
🕰️ Duration: ~6 hours
📏 Distance: 13 km
📈 Elevation gain: +980m | Elevation loss: -820m
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

Trekking Highlights

🔹 Trail 401: Ascend the southern slopes of Pal Piccolo, reaching the WWI fortifications, where you can explore trenches, tunnels, walkways, and military shelters—a true journey through history.
🔹 Trail 402: Continue towards Passo Pal Grande, passing beneath Creta di Timau and Cima Avostanis, until reaching the picturesque Avostanis Lake.
🔹 Descent to Rifugio Casera Pramosio Bassa (1,521m): A warm welcome from the Screm family awaits at this cozy mountain hut.

Evening at the Rifugio

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Casera Pramosio Bassa.

Day 3: Trekking to Rifugio Fabiani

☕ Breakfast at the rifugio, then begin a short but scenic stage through one of the most beautiful and remote valleys of the Carnic Alps.

🥾 Trekking Highlights
📍 Sella Cercevesa: Walk in absolute silence, fully immersed in nature. If lucky, you might spot and photograph local wildlife, such as roe deer.
📍 Sella delle Crete Rosse (1,770m): After ascending through steep pastures, reach this breathtaking saddle with spectacular panoramic views.
📍 Descent to Rifugio Fabiani (1,539m): A peaceful retreat where you can relax, unwind, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the friendly owners.

📏 Distance: 7 km
📈 Elevation gain: +570m | Elevation loss: -540m
🕰️ Duration: ~4 hours
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

Evening at the Rifugio

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Fabiani.

Day 4: Trekking to Casera Cason di Lanza

☕ Breakfast at Rifugio Fabiani, then begin today’s trek along trail 448, ascending through breathtaking alpine landscapes.

🥾 Trekking Highlights
📍 Casera Lodin Alta (1,761m): A scenic ascent leading to Monte Lodin, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
📍 Casera Meledis & Forcella Cordin: A descent through alpine meadows before reaching Forcella Cordin, a key passage along the route.
📍 Trail 403 – Karnische Höhenweg: Follow part of this famous Carnic High Route, traversing the vast pastures of Lanza.
📍 Sella Val Dolce (1,781m) & Casera Cason di Lanza (1,552m): A final descent to Casera Cason di Lanza, where a warm welcome awaits.

📏 Distance: 10.5 km
📈 Elevation gain: +580m | Elevation loss: -560m
🕰️ Duration: ~4h 30min
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

Evening at the Rifugio

🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at Casera Cason di Lanza.

Day 5: Trekking to Passo Pramollo (Nassfeld Pass)

☕ Breakfast at Casera Cason di Lanza, then set off on a scenic and rewarding stage of the trek.

🥾 Trekking Highlights
📍 Casera Val Dolce: Follow a forest road leading to this peaceful alpine pasture.
📍 “Sentiero dell’Amicizia” (Friendship Trail): A breathtaking path through meadows and scree fields, leading to the spectacular Sella di Aip (1,941m).
📍 Trail 403 along the Italy-Austria border: Hike along the historic Carnic ridge to Sella Madrizze (1,833m).
📍 Descent to Passo Pramollo (1,530m): Walk through forests and open plateaus to this popular year-round resort, located on the shores of Lake Pramollo.

📏 Distance: 11 km
📈 Elevation gain: +580m | Elevation loss: -590m
🕰️ Duration: ~4h 30min
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

Evening at Passo Pramollo

🏨 Accommodation in a 3-star hotel, beautifully situated by Lake Pramollo.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6: Trekking to Egger Alm

☕ Breakfast at the hotel, then depart for a stunning stage along trail 403, featuring diverse landscapes and breathtaking alpine scenery.

🥾 Trekking Highlights
📍 Challenging ascent from Passo Pramollo to a mountain saddle, followed by a descent to a small artificial lake.
📍 High-altitude traverse: Continue along the ridge to Sella Zille (1,492m) and Sella Chersnizze (1,542m).
📍 Descent to Egger Alm (1,422m): Arrive at this idyllic high-altitude plateau, surrounded by the Carnic Alps.
🧀 Traditional alpine experience: Explore the historic mountain farms (malghe) where local farmers produce artisanal cheeses and cured meats, all zero-kilometer and freshly made.
🌄 Panoramic views: On clear days, enjoy stunning vistas stretching from the High Tauern to the Dolomites and Julian Alps.

📏 Distance: 13.5 km
📈 Elevation gain: +560m | Elevation loss: -670m
🕰️ Duration: ~5h 30min
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

Evening in a Mountain Hut or Alpine Farm

🏡 Accommodation in a traditional malga or mountain refuge.
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay in a cozy alpine setting.

Day 7: Trekking to Rifugio Nordio Deffar

☕ Breakfast at the malga or rifugio, then set off on a spectacular stage along trail 403, following the Austrian side of the Traversata Carnica.

🥾 Trekking Highlights
📍 Traverse beneath Monte Poludnig: Enjoy breathtaking alpine landscapes while hiking across lush green pastures.
📍 Dellacher Alm: Pass through this charming Austrian mountain village, nestled among rolling meadows.
📍 Under Monte Starhand: Continue along the trail with panoramic views, gradually making your way back onto Italian territory.
📍 Arrival at Rifugio Nordio Deffar (1,406m): A welcoming mountain hut, offering a well-deserved rest after an exhilarating day of trekking.

📏 Distance: 15 km
📈 Elevation gain: +710m | Elevation loss: -590m
🕰️ Duration: ~5h 30min
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

Evening at the Rifugio

🏡 Accommodation at Rifugio Nordio Deffar
🍽️ Dinner and overnight stay at the rifugio

Day 8: Final Stage – Rifugio Nordio Deffar to Coccau

☕ Breakfast at the rifugio, then embark on the final stage of the Traversata Carnica, a relatively easier route through stunning beech and fir forests.

🥾 Trekking Highlights
📍 Trail 403 – The Red & White Triangle: Follow the familiar waymark that has guided the journey across the Carnic Alps.
📍 Sella Bristrizza (1,761m): A steady ascent leads to this panoramic saddle.
📍 Feistritzer Alm: Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
📍 Achomitzer Alm (1,710m): Walk through picturesque flower-filled meadows beneath Monte Acomizza.
📍 Sella Bartolo & Monte Goriane: Begin the long descent towards Coccau, marking the end of the Traversata Carnica.

📏 Distance: 21 km
📈 Elevation gain: +895m | Elevation loss: -1,590m
🕰️ Duration: ~7h 30min
⚠️ Difficulty level: Expert Hiker (EE)

End of the Trek & Return Options

🚍 Public transport: Reach Tarvisio and then Tolmezzo via SAF bus, train, or a combination of both.
🚖 Private transfer: Option to arrange a direct transfer.
🏡 Optional stay in Tarvisio to relax after the trek.

🎉 Congratulations – you’ve completed the Traversata Carnica! 🏔️