Julius Kugy Three-Country Trail

The Mountains of Friendship

Julius Kugy Three-Country Trail

The alpine associations of the regions of Carinthia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Slovenia joined forces after the 55th Three-Country Meeting (Julius Kugy Forum) in Mojstrana in June 2019, and created a unique alpine and cultural region with the Julius Kugy Three Coutry Trail.

Following in the footsteps of the alpinist Dr. Julius Kugy, the leading figure of the Alpe-Adria idea, hikers embark on the tour through the Southern Alps, passing through Carinthia, northern Slovenia and Italy. The long-distance and themed hiking trail is 720 km long and leads through the so-called Mountains of Friendship in a total of 30 stages, 8 extensions and 60 connecting trails. Manageable hiking trails, mountain, low mountain and high mountain stages alternate along the Julius Kugy Three- Country Trail. Along the alpine region, hikers find themselves in alpine pastures and villages, between unique mountains and lakes. The healing silence and the fantastic views compensate for the exertion of the long hiking stages.

The Julius Kugy Three-Country Trail at a glance

Stages: completed in 30 stages, with 8 extensions and 60 connecting trails
From the Berta Hut in Lower Carinthia and the Kamniška koča mountain pass in Slovenia, via Resiutta and Tolmezzo in Italy, to the Wolayersee Hut and the Dobratsch Summit House in Upper Carinthia.
290 km of trails, 95 km of natural trails, 160 km of gravel paths, 90 km of asphalt, 60 km of road, 3 km of secured steep path

Hiking highlights on the Julius Kugy Three-Country Trail:

In Austria:

Maria Elend mountain chapel
Alpine garden on the Villacher Alpe
Gemstone and Mineral Museum on the Nötschbach stream in Labientschach

In Slovenia:

Slovenski Planinski Museum (Slovenian Alpine Museum) in Mojstrana
Triglav Lodge at Kredarica
Krnsko jezero lake

In Italy:

Mineral Museum in Resiutta
Museum della Pieve di Gorto

Stages in the World of Mountains & Lakes

Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 24

Distance: 24.7 km

2810 vm

Duration: 11 h

1590 vm

We leave Val Pesarina and hike via the Degano Valley up to the main ridge of the Carnic Alps to reach Lake Wolayer in Austria along the Sentiero dei Cramars.

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Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 25

Distance: 27.5 km

700 vm

Duration: 8 h

1680 vm

Via the Wolayer-Alm and thevalley we reach the Lesachtal valley with the Gail river. After the Röthengraben we reach the Gailtaler Höhenweg - it takes us to the Gailbergsattel/Gh.

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Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 26

Distance: 23.8 km

2150 vm

Duration: 10.5 h

1520 vm

This stage along the Gailtaler Höhenweg is mostly easy - but the crossing of the Reißkofel requires good fitness, surefootedness and good weather

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Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 27

Distance: 20.9 km

1340 vm

Duration: 8.5 h

1390 vm

The strenuous ascent to the Schaflerhöhe is followed by an easy hike into the Gitschtal valley, before finally following the path up to the Kohlröslhütte hut near St. Lorenzen.

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Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 28

Distance: 23.9 km

1710 vm

Duration: 10 h

2370 vm

The mountains challenge us on this demanding route: Spitzegel, Vellacher Egel and Graslitzen - with views to the south into the Gitsch and Lower Gailtal valleys.

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Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 29

Distance: 16.6 km

1760 vm

Duration: 7 h

490 vm

We now leave the Central Gailtal Alps and head towards the Dobratsch Nature Park - after a strenuous climb to the summit, we experience unforgettable views.

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Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 30

Distance: 37 km

1060 vm

Duration: 9.5 h

1670 vm

We leave the Gailtal Alps and the Villacher Alpe, head down to the Villacher Feld, take the train and hike from the Faak-Veldener-Senke up to the Bertahütte.

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