JK28

The JK28 — officially the Julius Kugy Alpine Trail — is a 720 km loop trail that circumnavigates the Southern Alps across three countries: Austria, Slovenia, and Italy. Spread across 30 stages with 45,000 metres of total elevation gain, it holds International Walking Network (IWN) status as one of Europe's most significant long-distance hiking routes.

About the JK28

The Julius Kugy Alpine Trail (JK28) traces a grand loop around the Southern Alps — a tri-national circuit through Carinthia in Austria, the Julian Alps of Slovenia, and the Prealps of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy. At 720 km with 45,000 m of elevation gain and an estimated 270 hours of walking time, it ranks among the continent's most demanding and rewarding multi-week routes as of 2026.

The trail honours Julius Kugy (1858–1944), the Triestine alpinist, botanist, and writer who devoted his life to exploring the Julian Alps. Kugy made dozens of first ascents in the region and described his adventures in works such as Aus dem Leben eines Bergsteigers (From the Life of a Mountaineer), helping popularise these ranges at a time when they were virtually unknown to the wider world. The JK28 retraces landscapes Kugy explored across more than five decades of alpine activity — valleys, passes, and summits he named, mapped, and celebrated in prose.

The route was formally established in 2014 under the name Alpe Adria Alpine Tour, reflecting cross-border cooperation between Alpine clubs in Carinthia, Slovenia, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In 2019 it was restructured and renamed to honour Kugy, arriving at its current 30-stage format. The trail is maintained jointly by the Julius Kugy Forum and the three national Alpine associations — the Alpenverein Kärnten, the Planinska zveza Slovenije, and the Club Alpino Italiano — and is waymarked consistently throughout all three countries.

The JK28 is designated as part of the International Walking Network (IWN), a status reserved for routes of global significance. Across its full length it passes through six towns and 50 villages, crosses 24 peaks and 56 mountain passes, and traverses one national park (Triglav National Park in Slovenia) and seven additional nature reserves. For hikers who want more terrain beyond the main route, 8 optional extensions add roughly 175 km, and 69 connecting trails provide nearly 1,225 km of further possibilities across the same region.

Whether you tackle the full loop over six to eight weeks or walk it section by section across multiple seasons, the JK28 delivers an unmatched cross-section of the Southern Alps — limestone ridges, glacially carved valleys, alpine meadows, and centuries-old mountain villages in three distinct cultures. For European trail-lovers considering their next long walk, it belongs on the shortlist alongside classics such as the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Route Overview & Stages

The JK28 begins and ends at Bertahütte (1,525 m) in Carinthia, forming a true loop. The full circuit runs clockwise: east and south along the Karawanken into Slovenia, then west through the Julian Alps and into Italy, before heading north through the Carnic Alps and Gailtaler Alps back to the start. The 30 official stages are grouped below by geographical section.

Stage distances average around 24 km, though individual days range from roughly 15 km on shorter valley stages to over 35 km on longer ridge traversals. Total ascent across all 30 stages is 45,000 m — equivalent to climbing from sea level to Everest's summit five times over. The 270-hour walking-time estimate assumes around 9 hours per day; allow more time for navigation, photography, and weather delays.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Bertahütte (1,525 m), Carinthia — The trail's start and finish point sits in a broad alpine basin in the Carinthian Alps. Arriving back here after 720 km of walking through three countries is one of the defining moments in European long-distance hiking. The hut itself offers beds, meals, and a well-earned beer.
• Karawanken Ridge — The natural border between Austria and Slovenia, the Karawanken chain offers panoramic views in both directions. In clear conditions, Triglav's distinctive three-headed silhouette is visible to the southwest — a first glimpse of what awaits in Slovenia's Julian Alps.
• Kamniška Bistrica Valley, Slovenia — A glacially carved valley flanked by limestone walls up to 1,000 m high. The Kamniško-Savinjske Alps around it receive heavy snow and remain snow-covered into June most years, keeping this one of the route's most dramatic early sections.
• Triglav National Park — Slovenia's only national park covers 838 km² of the Julian Alps. Stage 11 — the route's high point at 2,401 m — passes through some of the park's most spectacular terrain. The Soča River, famous for its impossibly clear blue-green water, drains the western slopes and is visible from several stages.
• Julian Prealps, Friuli-Venezia Giulia — Stages 14–18 enter Italy through the Prealpi Giulie, terrain Julius Kugy himself called home. Rocky ridges give way to forested foothills and small mountain towns with their own distinct cuisine and dialect — a cultural shift that makes crossing the border feel genuinely meaningful.
• Carnic Prealps (Stages 19–24) — Remote and far less visited than the trail's Austrian or Slovenian sections, the Prealpi Carniche carry visible traces of the First World War — trenches, fortifications, and military cemeteries dot the ridgelines along the former Isonzo front. This is among the most historically layered walking anywhere in the Alps.
• Gailtaler Alps (Stages 26–30) — The final section returns to Austria via the Gailtaler Alps, the route's most technically demanding terrain. Stage 28 is officially rated extremely difficult and requires confident scrambling and careful route-finding. The reward is a dramatic alpine finale before the long descent back to Bertahütte.
• Three-Country Point — The JK28 crosses the Austria–Slovenia–Italy tri-border zone multiple times, a geographical and cultural experience unique to this corner of the Alps. Hut keepers may greet you in German, Slovenian, Italian, or all three depending on the day.

Practical Information

Best Time to Hike

The reliable hiking window on the JK28 runs from late June through mid-September. Snow lingers on high passes into June — particularly in the Gailtaler Alps and on Stage 11's 2,401 m highpoint — and early-season snow can return to elevations above 1,800 m by early October. July and August offer the longest daylight hours and most reliable trail conditions, though afternoon thunderstorms roll in regularly across all three countries; they are typically brief and predictable by midday build-up. September is the favourite month for experienced alpinists: cooler temperatures, emptier huts, clearer skies, and dramatically lit golden-hour landscapes.

For 2026 hikers starting in June, verify conditions on Stage 28 (Gailtaler Alps) before departure — this section may still require an alternative lower-level route in early summer. The Italian sections (Stages 14–24) tend to clear of snow earlier than the Austrian mountain stages.

Accommodation

The JK28 is well served by 17 mountain shelters along the route, supplemented by village guesthouses, pensions, and occasional hotels in larger settlements. Austrian Hütten charge roughly €30–55 per person in a dormitory (Matratzenlager) and €60–90 for a private room; most prices include breakfast. Slovenian mountain huts (planinske koče) are slightly cheaper at €25–45 in shared dorms. Italian rifugi run €35–60 for a dormitory bed with breakfast included at most.

Wild camping is generally permitted in Austria's alpine zones and allowed (with restrictions) outside Triglav National Park. Inside the national park, camping is restricted to designated sites — confirm current rules before your 2026 visit. A lightweight shelter or bivy is worth carrying as a backup on the remoter stages of the Carnic Prealps, where the distance between huts can exceed 30 km.

Getting There & Back

Bertahütte, the trail's start and end point, is most easily reached from Villach, Carinthia's main rail hub, which has direct Railjet train connections from Vienna (2h 30min), Graz (2h), and Salzburg (1h 45min). Local buses connect Villach to valley trailheads near Bertahütte. Klagenfurt Airport (KLU), 50 km east of Villach, serves Vienna, Frankfurt, and selected European destinations. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) in Slovenia and Venice Marco Polo (VCE) offer alternatives for international travellers — both have onward rail or bus connections into the Villach area within 2–3 hours.

Because the JK28 is a true loop, you return to your starting point at journey's end — no shuttle or one-way transport is needed. This also makes section hiking straightforward: reach any of the route's eight geographical sections by regional transport and exit the same way.

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required to walk the JK28 in Austria or Italy. In Triglav National Park (Slovenia), free daytime entry is permitted, but overnight stays must be at designated mountain huts or authorised campsites. The park operates a voluntary environmental contribution of €3–5 per visitor night at huts inside its boundaries; confirm current policy for 2026 at the official park website. Trail maps and the official JK28 guidebook — available in German and Slovenian editions — can be purchased from the three Alpine Club associations or ordered directly at julius-kugy-alpine-trail.eu.

Gear & Packing List

Six to eight weeks on a 720 km route with 45,000 m of climbing demands gear that balances durability with weight — every unnecessary gram compounds over that kind of distance. Below are the essentials for the JK28, with recommendations from the HikeLoad gear database.

Pack: A capacity of 45–60 litres suits most hikers on this route, covering a sleeping bag, warm layers, and 2–3 days of food between resupply points. The Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 is an excellent full-featured option with an outstanding suspension system for carrying heavier loads on technical terrain — exactly what Stage 28 demands. Ultralight hikers keeping base weight under 5 kg can consider the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L, which offers ample volume at a fraction of the weight. For a side-by-side comparison of top multi-day options, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Footwear: Stiff-soled boots with ankle support are strongly recommended for the Gailtaler Alps scrambling on Stage 28 and Stage 11's rocky highpoint. A waterproof membrane (Gore-Tex or equivalent) earns its weight — the Julian Alps and Carnic Prealps receive substantial rainfall even in summer.

Layering system: Temperatures above 2,000 m can drop below freezing overnight even in July. Pack a down or synthetic insulation piece, a waterproof hardshell, and merino base layers. The JK28 crosses three distinct climate zones — continental in Slovenia's interior, Mediterranean-influenced in Friuli, Alpine in Carinthia — so layering versatility matters more here than on single-country routes.

Navigation: Download the official JK28 GPX tracks before departure. Waymarking is consistent in Austria and Slovenia but can be intermittent in the Italian Prealpi Carniche (Stages 19–24). A dedicated GPS device or phone loaded with offline maps via Gaia GPS or Komoot is strongly recommended for the Italian sections.

Food and calorie planning: Full hiking days on the JK28 — particularly the longer ridge stages — burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories. Our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day covers practical resupply strategy. The Carnic Prealps section (Stages 19–24) has the fewest resupply villages — plan to carry at least 3 days of food whenever leaving a major settlement in this section.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the full JK28?
The 30 official stages add up to approximately 270 hours of walking time. Most hikers allow 6 to 8 weeks for the full loop, budgeting rest days and accounting for slower progress in bad weather. The most efficient thru-hikers have completed the JK28 in around 40 days; a more comfortable pace of 55–60 days is common among those prioritising the journey over the challenge. Factor in at least 3–4 rest days across the full route.

Is the JK28 suitable for beginners?
The JK28 is not a beginner route. With 45,000 m of elevation gain, technical scrambling on Stage 28, and extended remote sections with gaps of 30+ km between huts, it demands solid mountain experience, strong fitness, and confident navigation. Hikers who have completed multiple 5–7 day mountain routes and are comfortable on steep unmarked terrain will be ready to attempt it in sections. The full loop should be reserved for experienced long-distance trekkers.

Do I need to speak German, Slovenian, and Italian?
English is widely spoken by hut keepers throughout the route as of 2026, particularly in Austria and inside Triglav National Park. In the rural Italian stages (Prealpi Carniche, Stages 19–24), English is less common — a handful of Italian phrases for ordering food and booking a bed go a long way. German is understood in Austrian huts and at many Slovenian huts along the border zone. A translation app with offline capability handles the remaining gaps without difficulty.

Can the JK28 be hiked in individual sections?
Yes, and this is one of the route's greatest strengths. The 30 stages divide naturally into 8 geographical sections, each accessible from a regional hub — Villach, Ljubljana, Tarvisio, or Tolmezzo. Section hiking lets you spread the full loop across several years or seasons. The Triglav National Park section (Stages 10–13) and the Gailtaler Alps finale (Stages 26–30) are particularly popular as standalone 4–5 day itineraries with strong public transport access at each end.

What is the hardest stage on the JK28?
Stage 28 in the Gailtaler Alps is officially rated extremely difficult and involves technical scrambling, route-finding on exposed ridgeline terrain, and significant commitment once underway. Stage 11 in Triglav National Park, which reaches the route's high point of 2,401 m, is the most demanding in terms of sustained ascent and altitude. Neither stage should be attempted in thunderstorm conditions or poor visibility — check the three-day forecast before committing to either.