Via Alpina Red R24

The Via Alpina Red R24 is a roughly 13 km point-to-point alpine stage in Austria's Carnic Alps, running from the Neue Porze Hütte to the Obstansersee Hütte and gaining about 750 m of elevation over a single hiking day. Rated moderate to demanding, it traces a wild limestone-and-grass ridge along the Austria–Italy border with non-stop views of the Dolomites.

About the Via Alpina Red R24

The Via Alpina Red R24 is stage 204 of the Red Trail, the longest of the five colour-coded routes that make up the Via Alpina — an International Walking Network (IWN) spanning eight Alpine countries: Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco. The full Red Trail covers 161 numbered stages from Muggia near Trieste to Monaco, and R24 is one of its most scenic Austrian sections.

The network was created in 2000 by a coalition of public and private organisations from the eight Alpine nations, with the project coordinated through the Grande Traversée des Alpes association in Grenoble and supported by EU funding through 2008. Stage R24 sits in the heart of the Carnic Alps (Karnischer Hauptkamm), a long limestone and dolomite chain that forms the natural frontier between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian region of Friuli–Venezia Giulia.

This stage links two classic alpine huts. The walk begins at the Neue Porze Hütte (also signposted as Porzehütte, around 1,940 m) beneath the pyramidal summit of Porze (2,599 m), and ends at the Obstansersee Hütte (around 2,304 m), perched above the small glacial Obstanser See. The route forms part of the celebrated Karnischer Höhenweg (Carnic High Trail), often called the "Trail of Peace" because it follows the front line of World War I, where remnants of trenches, tunnels and barracks still scar the ridge.

At roughly 13 km with about 750 m of ascent and a similar descent, R24 is a comfortable but committing day for a fit walker. The footing is genuine high-mountain terrain — rocky paths, short cabled sections and exposed grassy traverses above 2,000 m — but it requires no technical climbing.

Route Overview & Stages

R24 is itself a single official Via Alpina stage, but on the ground most hikers break it into clear segments anchored by passes, summits and shelters. The table below outlines a typical west-to-east walk from the Porze Hütte to the Obstansersee Hütte.

Total walking time runs about 5 to 6 hours at a steady pace, not counting summit detours or long lunch stops at the hut. Distances and gains are approximate; signposts on this section quote times in hours rather than kilometres, which is standard practice across the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) network.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Porze (2,599 m) — the striking pyramid peak above the start hut, a popular early-morning scramble for those staying the night before.
• Neue Porze Hütte (~1,940 m) — the friendly ÖAV-affiliated base hut where R24 begins, surrounded by larch forest and alpine pasture.
• Tilliacher Joch (~2,094 m) — a historic saddle on the main Carnic ridge and a key border crossing point between Austria and Italy.
• World War I fortifications — open-air trenches, gun positions and rebuilt tunnels line the ridge, part of the "Trail of Peace" open-air museum.
• Pfannspitze (2,678 m) — an optional summit just off the route, offering one of the finest panoramas of the Sexten Dolomites to the west.
• Obstanser See — a clear glacial tarn cradled below the hut, irresistible for a (very cold) dip on a hot July afternoon.
• Obstansersee Hütte (2,304 m) — the welcoming stage-end hut, a hub on the Karnischer Höhenweg with hearty Tyrolean cooking.
• Sexten Dolomites panorama — the jagged Drei Zinnen (Tre Cime) group dominates the southern horizon for much of the day.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R24

The reliable hiking window for R24 runs from late June to late September, governed entirely by hut opening dates and snow cover on the high ridge. The Carnic huts on this section typically open from mid/late June and close in mid to late September, so the route is effectively walkable only when they are staffed.

Early summer (late June to early July) often still holds snow patches on north-facing traverses and in shaded couloirs near 2,500 m, which can make the cabled and exposed sections slippery. August brings the warmest, most stable weather and the highest chance of clear Dolomite views, but it is also the busiest period, with huts frequently fully booked. September offers crisp air, thinning crowds and excellent visibility, though the first autumn snowfalls can arrive late in the month.

The single best month is early-to-mid September: snow is gone, summer thunderstorms have eased, the larches begin to turn gold, and you can usually secure a hut bunk with shorter notice. Whenever you go in 2026, check the live ÖAV weather and hut-status pages before setting out, as Carnic ridge storms build fast on summer afternoons. Always plan to be off the exposed crest before early-afternoon thunderstorm development.

Practical Information

Accommodation

This stage is built around mountain huts rather than valley towns. The Neue Porze Hütte and the Obstansersee Hütte are both managed in the Austrian/Italian alpine-club system. Expect roughly €60–€75 per person for half-board (dinner, bunk and breakfast) in 2026, with Alpine Club (ÖAV/CAI/DAV) members receiving a meaningful discount on the overnight fee. A simple dormitory (Matratzenlager) bunk without meals typically costs €18–€28, plus around €12–€16 for dinner if ordered separately.

Reservation is essential in July and August — email or phone the hut directly, and always confirm dietary needs ahead. Bring a sleeping-bag liner (Hüttenschlafsack), cash for drinks and snacks (card payment is unreliable at altitude), and earplugs for the shared dorm. Wild camping is restricted in this protected high-alpine zone; the practical and legal option is to sleep at the huts.

Getting There & Back

The nearest large airport is Innsbruck (INN), about 2.5–3 hours' drive west, with Venice (VCE) a similar distance south. By rail, the gateway is Sillian station in Austria's East Tyrol on the Pustertal line, roughly a 15-minute drive or local bus connection from the Obernberg/Kartitsch valley trailheads. From Sillian, regional buses and taxis reach the valley parking and hut access roads below the Porze and Obstansersee huts.

Because R24 is point-to-point, plan your return logistics in advance: from the Obstansersee Hütte you descend to the Obstans/Kartitsch valley, where seasonal buses link back toward Sillian. Travel time from Sillian to the trailhead valleys is generally 30–60 minutes by road. Driving and parking at a valley lot, then using buses to close the loop, is the most flexible approach.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike R24 — the Carnic Alps trails are open access under Austrian and Italian alpine-club stewardship. There is no entry fee for the trail itself. Your only fixed costs are hut overnights and meals, plus any parking charges at valley lots (typically a few euros per day). Joining the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) before your trip pays for itself quickly through reduced hut rates and included alpine rescue insurance.

For official route data and stage details, consult the Via Alpina stage 204 page, and for hut bookings, membership and current conditions use the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV).

Gear & Packing List

R24 is a single hut-to-hut day, but high-alpine weather demands respect. Carry a 30–45 litre pack with full rain protection, an insulating mid-layer, hat and gloves even in August, and 1.5–2 litres of water (huts are the only reliable refill points). Sturdy B-rated hiking boots, trekking poles for the descents, and a headtorch round out the essentials, along with sun protection for the exposed ridge.

For a comfortable day pack that handles a cabled traverse well, the Abisko Hike 35 is a solid all-rounder, while ultralight walkers often prefer the 2400 Windrider or the Arc Scout 37L for their low weight and weatherproof fabrics. If you are weighing up a fast-and-light setup, our guide to the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares the leading options. Because alpine days burn through energy fast, plan your snacks using our breakdown of how many calories you need hiking a full day.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Carnic ridge whets your appetite for Austrian hut-to-hut walking, several routes deliver the same high-alpine character. The Stubaier Höhenweg is a demanding circuit through the Stubai Alps with glacier views, while the Berliner Höhenweg Zustieg Ahornbahn opens the Zillertal high route. The Adlerweg threads across Tyrol on an eagle-shaped long-distance trail, and for big multi-week traverses the JK01 and JK02 routes each cover around 720 km. For a complete contrast, the dramatic Balkan crossing in our guide to the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers similar ridge drama at a gentler grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R24?
Walk it between late June and late September, when the Porze and Obstansersee huts are open and the ridge is snow-free. Early-to-mid September is the sweet spot: stable weather, clear Dolomite views, golden larches and thinner crowds. Avoid early summer if north-facing snow patches and afternoon thunderstorms concern you.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R24?
It is rated moderate to demanding. There is no technical climbing, but you walk genuine high-mountain terrain above 2,000 m with rocky paths, short cabled sections and exposed grassy traverses. Sure-footedness, a head for mild exposure and good weather judgement are essential; beginners should hike it with experienced company.

How long is the Via Alpina Red R24 and how many hours does it take?
The stage runs roughly 13 km with about 750 m of ascent from the Neue Porze Hütte to the Obstansersee Hütte. Allow 5 to 6 hours at a steady pace, more if you add the Pfannspitze (2,678 m) summit detour or linger at the WWI trench sites along the ridge.

Where do I sleep on the Via Alpina Red R24?
You stay in mountain huts at each end of the stage — the Neue Porze Hütte and the Obstansersee Hütte. Half-board costs roughly €60–€75 per person in 2026, less for Alpine Club members. Book ahead for July and August, bring a sleeping-bag liner, and carry cash for drinks and extras.

Do I need a permit to hike the Via Alpina Red R24?
No permit is required and the trail is free to access. Your only costs are hut overnights, meals and any valley parking fees. Joining the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) before your trip reduces hut rates and includes alpine rescue insurance, making membership worthwhile for most multi-day Carnic Alps walkers.