Carnic Alps

The Carnic Alps (Italian: Alpi Carniche; German: Karnische Alpen; Slovene: Karnijske Alpe; Friulian: Alps Cjargnelis) are a beautiful mountain range that is part of the Southern Limestone Alps.

These mountains stretch across two countries: Austria and northeastern Italy. On the Austrian side, the Carnic Alps are found in the regions of East Tyrol and Carinthia. In Italy, they are mainly located in the area of Friuli, particularly in the Province of Udine, and a small part reaches into Veneto.

These mountains are known for their natural beauty and are a popular place for hiking and exploring.

Etymology

The Carnic Alps are named after an old Roman place called Carnia. The name probably came from the Celtic language.

These mountains also gave their name to a time in Earth's history called the Carnian. This was part of the Triassic Period, long ago.

Geography

The Carnic Alps stretch about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from east to west. They are between the Gail River and the Tagliamento River. These mountains form the border between Austria and Italy.

One special feature of the Carnic Alps is the southernmost glacier in Austria, called the Eiskar. It is in the Kellerwand area.

Notable peaks

Some of the tallest mountains in the Carnic Alps include:

• Coglians / Hohe Warte (2,782 m)
• Kellerspitzen (2,774 m)
• Monte Peralba / Hochweißstein (2,694 m)
• Monte Cavallino / Große Kinigat (2,689 m)
• Rosskopf (2,603 m)
• Monte Terza Grande (2,586 m)
• Monte Bìvera (2,474 m)
• Creta Forata (2,462 m)
• Helm (2,434 m)
• Cresta di Enghe (2,414 m)
• Monte Ferro (2,348 m)
• Gailtaler Polinik (2,332 m)
• Trogkofel (2,280 m)
• Monte Sernio (2,187 m)

Mountain passes

The main passes in the Carnic Alps are:

• Plöcken Pass (Tolmezzo to Kötschach-Mauthen), a road that is 1,360 meters high.
• Naßfeld Pass (Pontebba to Hermagor-Pressegger See), a road that is 1,552 meters high.
• Öfnerjoch (Forni Avoltri to Sankt Lorenzen im Lesachtal), a footpath that is 2,301 meters high.
• Wolayer Pass (same route to Kötschach-Mauthen), a footpath that is 1,922 meters high.