Alpe Adria Trail

The trail starts in the Grossglockner area, where you’ll immediately see glaciers, waterfalls, and high mountain passes. From the beginning, you’ll see that the paths are no walk in the park! The first 4 stages are easy to moderate difficulty, so you’ll have time to warm up, but then you’ll start some serious climbing from stage five.

You’ll see that the path will change as you move into Carinthia, Austria’s southernmost state. You’ll walk through valleys, villages, and lakes. This part feels more inviting and pleasant than the constant elevation switches in the Grossglockner region. You’ll stop at small towns, talk with locals, and enjoy regional dishes like Kärntner Nudeln.

Crossing into Slovenia, you enter Triglav National Park. Here, you’ll cross rivers, gorges, and forests. You’ll hike in the Julian Alps here, which can be a bit busy with day hikers, but otherwise are a paradise for long-distance hikers. The water is a shade of blue that will make you want to dive in after a long day hiking, so be prepared for lots of swimming stops when you’re by the rivers! The trail is well-marked, and you’ll pass plenty of mountain huts where you can stop for rest points.

In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, the trail changes again. This time, the mountains mix with Mediterranean influences. As you walk, you’ll notice the architecture, cuisine, and flora start changing. Vineyards and olive groves are more common, and you start to smell the sea.

The final stages are in Muggia and Trieste on the Adriatic coast. The mountains disappear into the sea, and you end the trail with a view of the coastline, and if you’re up for it, a dip into the water. The towns here are colorful and full of life, however, a bit louder than the quiet mountain villages of the last month. Enjoy some delicious Italian food and celebrate a trail well-hiked!

You can hike the Alpe Adria from late June through early September. Remember that the weather in the Alps can always be finicky, so it’s best to check what the conditions are looking like for your season before you book your accommodations. This specific region has also experienced extreme summer storms and flooding in past years, so plan accordingly and talk with other hikers who have been on the trail recently.

This trail is not technical and has wide paths and access to towns very easily. Because of this, it makes it more accessible for hikers who are new to the sport. However, it is still important to prepare adequately. You’ll want to pack for all possibilities. We recommend you take layers and rain clothes for afternoon storms, a sleeping bag liner if you plan to sleep in mountain huts, of course, an extra power bank, snacks (you can restock along the way), trekking poles, and a backpack that fits comfortably.

Additionally, create an itinerary for your hike and share it with someone you trust. Let them know if you deviate or take a route you hadn’t planned on before beginning. This is a great way to make sure someone always knows where you are.