The Alpe-Adria-Trail, a spectacular long-distance hiking trail, leads on foot from Carinthia to the Austrian-Slovenian-Italian border, into Slovenia, all the way to the Adriatic Sea. This trek along the breathtaking route of the Alpe Adria Trail, starting in Cividale del Friuli, will allow you to explore the border territories between Friuli-Venezia-Giulia and Slovenia. The tour takes place in an area that is a crossroads of cultures, offering a rich cultural and natural variety. From Cividale del Friuli, you soon reach Castelmonte, an important pilgrimage destination, and then cross Cormons, the Slovenian Collio (Brda), and the Karst region until you reach the wonderful Trieste, once an Habsburg city. The itinerary follows existing and well-connected hiking trails, designed as an easy and enjoyable trek mostly on non-alpine terrain. Climbing experience is not required.

1st Day: Cividale del Friuli
Individual arrival at the hotel in Cividale del Friuli.

2nd Day: Cividale del Friuli - Prepotto
(Approx. elevation +520m, -540m; approx. 7 hours; variant: approx. elevation +90m, -110m; approx. 3-4 hours)
Leaving the Lombard city of Cividale, the trail will take you to Castelmonte, the oldest sanctuary in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Friulian and Slovenian plains from here. The day concludes with arrival in Prepotto, where you can taste excellent local wine. Alternatively, you can follow the official Alpe Adria Trail to Prepotto.

3rd Day: Prepotto - Smartno/ surroundings
(Approx. elevation +620m, -460m; approx. 5 hours)
Today's route will take you along the Italian-Slovenian border through the vineyard landscapes of Collio dotted with numerous churches. Continue to Smartno, a small residential area in the municipality of Brda. Your view can extend from the Carnic Alps over Friuli to the Adriatic.

4th Day: Smartno/surroundings - Cormons
(Approx. elevation +350m, -550m; approx. 4-5 hours)
Surrounded by famous DOC vineyards, as well as indigenous and ancient vines of considerable importance, you will reach Cormons, a town with Habsburg-style architecture. This small town is now the cultural center of Collio. Treat yourself to a taste of good wine at the Enoteca directly on the main square.

5th Day: Cormons - Gradisca d'Isonzo
(Approx. elevation +100m, -120m; approx. 4-5 hours)
Today's stage will take you through the hilly landscape of Collio Goriziano with its vineyards, to Gradisca d'Isonzo. The name Gradisca has Slavic roots and means "stable place." Under Venetian rule, a fortress was built against the Turkish threat from the east in the late 15th century. During Austrian rule, the fortress was used as a prison. In the historic center, you will find the Regional Enoteca in the Palazzo dei Provveditori (15th century), known as LA SERENISSIMA. Here, you can taste and buy various wines from the region. Also of note are the remains of the mighty city walls.

6th Day: Gradisca d'Isonzo - Monfalcone - Duino/Sistiana
(Approx. elevation +670m, -650m; approx. 8-9 hours; variant: approx. elevation +/- 420m; approx. 6 hours + bus - ticket not included)
This morning, you will leave Gradisca d'Isonzo and the plain of the river of the same name to embark on a beautiful hike in the Karst region, where many traces of World War I can still be found. Along the way, you will follow the path of numerous underground watercourses in the Isonzo River basin (e.g., Doberdo del Lago) and encounter the mouth of the Timavo River. This river, at 2 km in length, is probably the shortest river in the world. The last part of the tour from Monfalcone to Duino/Sistiana can be shortened using the bus (ticket not included). At the end of the day, Duino will welcome you with its eponymous castle.

7th Day: Duino/Sistiana - Trieste
(Approx. elevation +460m, -500m; approx. 7-8 hours)
The first part of the route will take you on the famous Rilke trail, named after the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. You will then continue along the Karst, overlooking Prosecco and finally towards the capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trieste. End your day by relaxing in Piazza Unità d'Italia framed by its eclectic buildings.

8th Day: Trieste
Individual departure from Trieste or the possibility to extend your stay.