ALPE ADRIA TRAIL:
the Three-Nation Loop

Arrival in Tarvisio

Your adventure begins in Tarvisio, where you will spend the first night. Welcome to one of the most important mountain towns in all of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Surrounded by the Julian Alps and boasting extensive valleys and forests, the town has a modern look but also a playful soul, and is full of traditions just waiting to be discovered. A natural passage and a crossroads of cultures, Tarvisio is a place where Adriatic, Slavic and Latin traditions all come together. Boasting a charming historical centre and equipped with all necessary amenities for tourists, this town is the perfect starting point for your trail. Half-board accommodation in Tarvisio.

Tarvisio – Mountain hut Zacchi

The first stage of the trail will take you to the Fusine Lakes basin, one of the most fascinating places in the whole Friuli Venezia Giulia region. You will set out from Tarvisio following the Alpe Adria cycle track and the course of the River Slizza until you reach these splendid glacial lakes, set in a spectacular Alpine amphitheatre. The environment is perfect for travellers looking for silence and contemplation, with the tops of the spruce trees and the peaks of the Mangart mountains reflected in the crystalline waters. A magical place inhabited by migratory birds, deer, roebucks and chamois. An easy path takes you through dense forests of red spruce to the lower lake and the upper lake, after which you will start to ascend towards the charming Zacchi mountain hut where you’ll spend the night, filled to sleep by the silence of the park. Bed and breakfast accommodation in a shared room in the mountain hut.

Mountain hut Zacchi – Kranjska Gora

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to get back on the road in search of another adventure. Today’s stage will take you to Slovenia, passing through places that have become famous thanks to their natural beauty and their important role in winter sports. The path winds its way in front of the impressive Planica ski jumping hills and the VItranc resort where the Ski World Cup is held. Next, the route emerges in Zelenci Nature Reserve, which boasts a number of fountains and an emerald-green lake which offers wooden suspension bridges to be explored. The stage finishes in Kranjska Gora, an attractive and lively mountain town. Offering ample wellness facilities, this town is also the perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries before continuing your adventure. Half-board accommodation in Kranjska Gora.

Kranjska Gora – Faaker See / Baumgartnerhohe

The time has come for us to set foot in Austria – to be more precise, in Carinzia: a land of mountains, verdant valleys and turquoise lakes. Ahead of you is another exciting day in this region of parks and waterfalls which the famous British chemist Sir Humphry Davy described in the 1800s as the most beautiful place in Europe. From Kranjska Gora, the itinerary follows the course of River Sava towards the Karawank mountain range. An old frontier path with spectacular views takes you to Jepzasattel, a mountain pass which rewards you with truly breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. The endpoint of the stage is Baumgartnerhohe hill, next to the arena of Finkenstein Castle, at the foot of which we can find Faaker See, an iridescent lake. Half-board accommodation in Baumgartnerhohe.

Faaker See / Baumgartnerhohe – Warmbad / Villach

The itinerary takes you first of all towards the Faaker See, the fifth largest lake in Carinzia. Famous for its turquoise colour, the lake presents a perfect opportunity to go swimming or enjoy some water sports. During your journey, you will pass by the fascinating ruins of Finkenstein Castle which reigns supreme over the valley. In summer, this lavish historical monument hosts a variety of cultural events, lending a unique ambience to all kinds of shows. Next, you will reach the wetlands of the Faak, with its wide variety of plants and animals, and the idyllic woodland path of Dobrova. After a brief walk along River Gail you will drive into Warmbad, the endpoint of today’s stage. We’re already in the outskirts of Villach, in a district of the city famous for the therapeutic properties of its thermal waters. Here, you can reward yourself with some well-deserved relaxation in one of the pools and saunas at Karnten Therme. Bed and breakfast accommodation in Warmbad.

Note: You also have the option of spending the night in Villach in a B&B, or in a 5* hotel with wellness facilities (supplement applies).

Warmbad / Villach – Feistritz an der Gail

Warmbad isn’t just famous for its thermal waters, but also for its historical heritage. Your first few steps of the day will be along the remains of the Romerweg, an ancient Roman road which once connected the Italian peninsula with Warmbad, Teurnia and Salzburg. History-lovers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to take a detour to the ruins of Federaun castle, a fascinating former bambergic fortification. On the other hand, from a Nature-lover’s point of view the stage is dominated by Villach’s most beloved mountain, the Dobratsch: Carinzia’s top natural park and home to many species of flora and fauna. You can find the most spectacular views in the wild area of Schutt, which you will pass through to get to the fabulous Gail Valley. Walking along the riverbank, you will reach Feistritz, a pleasant mountain village at the foot of Mt Osternig. Half-board accommodation.

Feistritz an der Gail – Valbruna

Today’s stage will take you over the pastures of Mt Osternig in a cross-border hike which will take you back into Italy. Along the way, you will come across various mountain huts, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow, and superb Alpine views. Next, you’ll walk back down the Italian side, a gentler slope covered in forests and meadows, before arriving first in the town of Camporosso and then into Valbruna in Val Saisera. This valley, surrounded by an impressive ring of mountains, is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating in the whole trail. This is especially true in the evening, when the amphitheatre of the surrounding mountains seems to catch alight with the sunset, offering a unique show which is more than sufficient reward for the day’s exertions. Half-board accommodation in Valbruna.

Valbruna – Tarvisio

The trail ends in style with a stage that will take you over Mt Lussari (1,790m), a much-loved local pilgrimage destination. To get there, you’ll need to cross River Saisera and ascend through the forest on the slopes of Hunter’s Peak. At the top of the mountain, you will find the revered Marian sanctuary, a white church tower which presides over a handful of houses and inns which are the perfect place to take a break. The views from this legendary place are perhaps the most beautiful of the whole journey, with an unparalleled view over the whole Julian Alps mountain chain. From Mt Lussari, the Alpe Adria Trail descends between the trees of the Forest of Tarvisio, intertwining with the legendary Cammino Celeste (Heavenly Way) and the Pilgrim’s Path. Your adventure ends in the centre of Tarvisio, where you simply must celebrate with a toast to yourself and to this unforgettable trail without borders. End of the trail.

Note: Upon request, it’s possible to book an extra night in Tarvisio.