Thanks to its strategic position, the pass of Mt. Croce Carnico/Plöckenpass in Carnia has been considered a favourable geographical crossing point between Austria and Friuli plains since Roman times.
With the outbreak of World War I, it became the scene of bloody conflicts and the peaks turned into strategic points of the battlefield. Harsh climate conditions required inhuman effort from the soldiers. The path to the outdoor museum Freikofel passes by numerous remains of military infrastructure, the Val Tagliamento Chapel and a tombstone with an iron cross.
From Italy: From Tolmezzo use the road SS52bis towards Timau and further towards the border with Austria on Passo Croce Carnico/Plöckenpass. After passing Timau, follow the road for approx. six kilometres and then park your car in the fourth hairpin bend near the roadhouse. This is a starting point of CAI trail 401a which leads towards the Chapel of the Val Tagliamento Battalion. We recommend the use of map Tabacco 09.
From Austria: Take Plöckenpass Strasse (B110) from the village of Kötschach-Mauthen/Koče-Muta and follow for twelve kilometres the road to the Plöckenpass/Passo Croce Carnico. Cross the pass and follow the road for another four kilometres until you reach the roadhouse in the hairpin bend. Park the car nearby and follow CAI trail 401a.
It is also possible to take the path to Freikofel from the Austrian side. We recommend the access from the parking lot by the Gasthof Plöckenpass approx. two kilometres under the Plöckenpass. The path goes above the lake Grünsee to Freikofelscharte and then left to Freikofel (duration of the hiking tour 5–6 hours, medium demanding).
Associazione “Amici delle Alpi Carniche”
Via Nazionale, 90
I–33020 Timau (UD)
+39 0433 779168
museotimau@alice.it
Arta Terme Infopoint
Via Umberto I°, 15
I–33022 Arta Terme (UD)
+39 0433 929290
info.artaterme@promoturismo.fvg.it
Tolmezzo Infopoint
Via della Vittoria, 4
I–33028 Tolmezzo (UD)
+39 0433 44898
info.tolmezzo@promoturismo.fvg.it
