A gentle high-altitude hike from the top station of the Monte Elmo Cable Cars to the popular Sillian Hut on the Carnic Ridge
Image gallery: Hike along the Carnic High Route
Taking the Monte Elmo Cable Car, we reach the mountain station at 2,045 metres above sea level from Versciaco. We are on the Carnic Ridge, a mountain range that forms the borderline between Italy and Austria. We follow path no. 20 towards the southeast, passing the Gallo Cedrone Hut (literally: Wood Grouse Hut) and continuing below the summit with its abandoned refuge.
On the opposite side of Valle di Sesto, the peaks of the Sesto Dolomites rise into the sky. The Rocca dei Baranci, Punta Tre Scarperi, and Croda Rossa di Sesto tower impressively, and we can also spot the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. The gently ascending path leads above the tree line through an alpine landscape of flowering herb meadows to the junction with path no. 4.
The broad track then gives way to a hiking trail that runs directly along the border on the ridge. Boundary stones frequently mark the ground, and the path switches back and forth between the Italian and Austrian sides multiple times. At an altitude of 2,447 metres, after an hour and a half, we reach the Sillianer Hütte, or Sillian Hut, the destination of our tour.
The Austrian Alpine Club hut provides overnight accommodation and serves as a base on the Austrian Southern Alps long-distance hiking trail 03, the European long-distance path E10, and the Via Alpina. We enjoy food and drink along with views extending to the Dolomites and the main Alpine ridge. Afterwards, we return along the same path and take the cable car into the valley.
Author: AT
Experienced: August 2014
Last updated: 2026
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- Starting point:
- Monte Elmo (accessible via Sesto or Versciaco)
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- Overall time:
- 02:50 h
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- Total route length:
- 8,6 km
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- Altitude:
- from 2.046 m to 2.447 m
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- Altitude difference (uphill | downhill):
- +422 m | -422 m
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- Signposts:
- no. 20, "Karnischer Höhenweg", 403
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- Destination:
- Sillian Hut (2,447 m a.s.l.)
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- Resting points:
- Sillian Hut (June to October), Gallo Cedrone Hut (May to October/November)
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- Recommended time of year:
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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- Download GPX track:
- Hike along the Carnic High Route
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- More information:
- The total time indicated above refers to the walking time only, excluding breaks. The Monte Elmo mountain station can also be reached by the Helmjet from San Vito Sesto.
If you want to undertake this hike, we recommend checking the weather and trail conditions in advance and on site before starting this hike!
