Highest peak of Carnic Alps – Mt. Coglians or Hohe Warte

Monte Coglians is located in the central part of the Carnic Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. It is also the highest peak in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Since Western Julian Alps are still quite isolated, in the middle of the summer season we can find lonely hours with the views that the surroundings offer us.

The Mt. Coglians form, together with Creta delle Chianevata lying to the east, an extensive mountain backdrop between the Plöckenpass in the east and the Volayer Pass in the west. Their northern ridge rises to a height of 650 meters at the Valentintörl saddle to 1,200 meters (above the Obere Valentinalm).
During World War I, the peak was conquered by soldiers of the Italian Royal Army, who used it as an observation post. The remains of the fort can still be seen on the top, as well as the remains of the military mule track that was taken along the southern slope to the top.

We will make our ascent on the south side from the pass, passing the Marinelli hut and to the top. From the pass, we initially follow the mule track, which turns into a path, that later winds across pastures that are rich in blueberries in autumn. The ascent continues to Marinelli hut. We are there after approx. 2.5 hours. From here, a little further along the steep meadows and a completely new world follows. The mighty Coglians opens up, which we see at first on the ridge path, but then we bite our knees into the steep scree. This leads to the final part of the ascent, which presents us with a rock section just below the summit, and at the top we are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Austrian side and, of course, all the peaks in the near and far vicinity. In good weather, we have a view of Triglav, Ankogel, Marmolada and everything nearby.

Duration and technical data:

• Highest point: 2782 m
• Starting point: Plöckenpass (1357m)
• Walking time: 10 - 11 h
• Altitude difference: 1500 m
• Difficulty: challenging marked trail
• Total time: 14 h