Читать книгу The Karnischer Hohenweg. A 1-2 week trek on the Carnic Peace Trail: Austria and Italy онлайн

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The route can be completed in 8–10 days, although, given the amount there is see, most people will take longer. In particular, there are alternative routes around Monte Coglians, the highest mountain of the Carnic Alps. The original route (referred to in this book as the ‘Austrian route’) can be completed in 8 days; it stays to the north of Monte Coglians. The southern route (presented here as the ‘Italian route’) requires 10 days and is more challenging than the Austrian route.

See also ‘Selecting an itinerary’ below for two alternative options: an 8-day trek taking in the highlights of the Karnischer Höhenweg; and a more leisurely 12-day trek.

World War I earthworks and remains

Moving a field gun at Filmoorhöhe (Stage 2); Observation post on Eisenreich (Stage 1); Trenches on Kleiner Pal (Stage 5B); Naval gun at Straniger Alm (Stage 6) (public-domain photographs taken from the archives of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek)

In the Carnic Alps, the World War I front line coincides with today’s border between Austria and Italy, and generally speaking the border follows the watershed. Where the ridges are long and sustained, the trench lines are easy to spot because they are almost invariably orientated to the south (the Austro-Hungarians established their defensive positions first). In the more mountainous parts of the route, the location of the front line is sometimes harder to identify, but all the mountaintops are fortified and here the remains are typically extensive.