Choose your MADE Trek length (6–10 days)
The MADE Trek is a modular itinerary that can be adapted to different time constraints, while maintaining geographic consistency, experiential value, and walking quality. All options include:day of arrival and day of return, with organized transfers from the final point of the trek.
Main Itinerary: 10-Day MADE Trek
Day 1: Arrival at Cima Sappada
Activity:Arrival and check-in |Excursion:None
The MADE Trek experience begins in Cima Sappada, an Alpine town located in the heart of the Carnic Alps, the ideal starting point for a multi-stage crossing along the border ridge between Italy and Austria. This mountain village, surrounded by coniferous forests and open slopes, represents the natural gateway to a route that combines landscape, history, and Alpine culture.
The day is dedicated to arrival and accommodation, allowing you to gradually get into the rhythm of the trek. Walking around Cima Sappada, you immediately sense the authentic character of the area: a mountain environment still rooted in local traditions, far from the hustle and bustle of tourists.
Overnight stay:accommodation facility inSappada Peak.
Day 2: From Cima Sappada to the Calvi Refuge
Elevation gain: 950 m | Elevation loss: 0 m | Elevation range: 1,200–2,160 m | Distance: 10.7 km | Duration: 3–4 hours
The first day of the MADE Trek begins directly from Cima Sappada, gradually leaving the valley floor to ascend the slopes of the Carnic Alps. The trail initially winds through coniferous forests and shady areas, following ancient paths historically used to connect valleys and mountain pastures.
As you gain altitude, the landscape gradually changes: the forests give way to alpine pastures and more open slopes, offering the first expansive views of the Carnic ridges and the mountains that mark the natural border between Italy and Austria. It's a steady and regular climb, ideal for finding your own pace and adapting to the high-altitude environment. Arriving at the Pier Fortunato Calvi Refuge, perched in a panoramic position above the valley, represents the first true entry into the heart of the MADE Trek.
The refuge, surrounded by wide open spaces and Alpine panoramas, offers a privileged vantage point over the eastern Carnic Alps, making this first day short but extremely meaningful from an experiential point of view.
Overnight stay: Rifugio Pier Fortunato Calvi, a historic Alpine refuge in a panoramic position.
Day 3: From the Calvi Refuge to the Lambertenghi Refuge
Elevation gain: 1,000 m | Elevation loss: 900 m | Altitude: 1,600–2,300 m | Distance: 17 km | Duration: 6–7 hours
From the Pier Fortunato Calvi Refuge, the MADE Trek continues into the heart of the Carnic Alps, along a route that begins to decisively follow the border ridges and the vast high-altitude spaces. From the first few kilometers, the trail unfolds in a more open environment, where the views expand and the sense of isolation becomes an integral part of the experience.
The trail passes through Alpine valleys, wide basins, and ridges that clearly reveal the morphology of the Carnic landscape: mountains that are less vertical but vast and continuous, ideal for long crossings. In some sections, the route approaches historic routes connecting valleys, once used for mountain grazing, trade, and movement along the border.
During the day, you encounter increasingly wild and less human-influenced environments, with high-altitude pastures alternating with rockier and more panoramic stretches.
The arrival at the Lambertenghi Refuge, located in a secluded position and surrounded by wide alpine spaces, marks the conclusion of an intense and deeply immersive day.
Overnight stay: Lambertenghi Refuge, nestled in a rarely visited Alpine setting.
Day 4: From the Lambertenghi Refuge to Casera Lavareit
Elevation gain: 960 m | Elevation loss: 1,000 m | Altitude gain: 1,400–2,200 m | Distance: 13.5 km | Duration: 6–7 hours
From the Lambertenghi Refuge, the MADE Trek continues along a route that harmoniously blends the high-altitude environment, pastoral landscapes, and the history of Carnic mountaineering. The day unfolds through wide alpine valleys and ridge sections, with a constant alternation of climbs and traverses that keep the journey dynamic and engaging.
One of the most significant passages of the stage is the passage near the Marinelli Refuge, a historic mountaineering landmark in the Carnic Alps. From here, the view opens onto one of the most iconic views of the entire route: the view of Mount Coglians, the highest peak in the Carnic Alps, dominating the landscape with its imposing bulk. Continuing, the trail passes through high-altitude pastures and environments traditionally associated with mountain grazing, where human presence is discreet but deeply rooted.
The arrival at Casera Lavareit marks the end of an intense day rich in scenic and cultural highlights.
Overnight stay: Casera Lavareit, an authentic Alpine hut still steeped in local tradition.
Day 5: From Casera Lavareit to Malga Pramosio
Elevation gain: 700 m | Elevation loss: 800 m | Altitude: 1,300–2,000 m | Distance: 9.5 km | Duration: 4–5 hours
From Casera Lavareit, the trail continues through a landscape of wide ridges and high-altitude pastures that formed part of the Italian-Austrian front during the First World War, now silent and reclaimed by nature.
Along the way, you'll encounter clear traces of this past: remains of military trenches, outposts, and wartime infrastructure now integrated into the landscape. These passages tell the story of a mountain lived in extreme conditions, offering a vivid and concrete historical interpretation of the territory they traverse.
Alongside the memory of war, the most ancient and cyclical aspect of the mountains stands out: that of transhumance. The route follows ancient paths connecting mountain pastures, used for centuries for the seasonal movement of livestock between the valley floor and summer pastures.
Arriving at Malga Pramosio, historically linked to both mountain pastures and movements along the border, allows you to experience the tranquility of the mountains and the hospitality of an authentic mountain hut.
Overnight stay: Malga Pramosio, a place of authentic hospitality and a meeting point for border cultures.
Day 6: From Malga Pramosio to Cason di Lanza
Elevation gain: 1,000 m | Elevation loss: 900 m | Altitude range: 1,200–2,000 m | Distance: 21.7 km | Duration: 6–7 hours
From Malga Pramosio, this day features a long crossing, where the landscape gradually changes and accompanies the walker through open, panoramic spaces. The trails follow historic routes that played a key role both in seasonal movements related to transhumance and in cross-border connections between Carnia and Carinthia.
The route offers numerous panoramic viewpoints that allow you to appreciate the geography of the area, with views spanning the Carnic ridges and the valleys below. The uninterrupted nature of the route and the length of the stage require good energy management, making this day one of the most physically demanding sections of the entire MADE Trek.
Arrival in Cason di Lanza, a historic crossing point located near the pass of the same name, where you can spend the night with a hot meal and a warm welcome.
Overnight stay: Cason di Lanza, a historic crossing point between Alpine valleys.
Day 7: From Cason di Lanza to the Pramollo Pass
Elevation gain: 730 m | Elevation loss: 800 m | Altitude: 1,400–2,000 m | Distance: 12.9 km | Duration: 4–5 hours
From Cason di Lanza, the trail passes through areas historically used as crossing points between Carnia and Carinthia, now immersed in an open and peaceful Alpine environment. The absence of artificial structures and the uninterrupted views reinforce the feeling of being in a frontier space, where the mountains have always dictated the pace and modalities of human movement.
The day alternates between gentler stretches and slightly more exposed sections, always on well-defined trails, allowing you to appreciate the broad morphology of the eastern Carnic Alps. This stage is shorter than the previous ones, but rich in geographical and symbolic significance, ideal for absorbing the profound meaning of the crossing.
The arrival at the Pramollo Pass marks one of the key moments of the MADE Trek: a place that historically has connected two Alpine worlds, today a transition point towards the Julian Alps and the final stages of the route.
Overnight stay: Pramollo Pass area.
Day 8: From the Pramollo Pass to the Nordio Refuge
Elevation gain: 1,100 m | Elevation loss: 1,000 m | Altitude gain: 1,400–2,200 m | Distance: 23.4 km | Duration: 7–8 hours
From the Pramollo Pass, the MADE Trek enters its most intense and representative phase. This day is a truly great Alpine crossing, requiring steady pace, energy management, and good physical preparation. The trail unfolds along broad ridges and open terrain, with long stretches at high altitude that enhance the sense of isolation and immersion in the mountain.
The day alternates between steady climbs, long traverses, and gentler sections, always in a vast and continuous Alpine setting.
Arriving at the Fratelli Nordio Refuge, nestled in the Julian Alps, is a crucial milestone on the journey. After such a demanding day, the refuge offers an ideal place to rest and recuperate, preparing hikers for the final day of the trek.
Overnight stay: Rifugio Fratelli Nordio, a welcoming alpine refuge in a strategic location.
Day 9: From the Nordio Refuge to Mount Lussari
Elevation gain: 1,210 m | Elevation loss: 1,200 m | Elevation range: 900–1,789 m | Distance: 17.9 km | Duration: 7–8 hours
From the Fratelli Nordio Refuge, the MADE Trek begins its final day of walking, a physically demanding but deeply meaningful stage. The route initially unfolds in an open alpine environment, then gradually leads the hiker toward lower altitudes, following paths that have connected the valleys of the Julian Alps for centuries.
During the descent and subsequent ups and downs, the landscape gradually changes: the ridges give way to more rugged slopes, woods, and clearings that mark the approach to residential areas. It's a day that invites reflection on the journey just completed, offering continuous views of the mountains traversed in the previous days.
Arriving at Monte Santo di Lussari represents one of the most intense moments of the entire MADE Trek. This place, known for its sanctuary and its profound spiritual and cultural significance, has been a meeting point for different peoples and traditions for centuries, on the border between the Latin, Germanic, and Slavic worlds. Reaching it on foot, after a long, multi-stage journey, gives the arrival an even deeper meaning.
Overnight stay: Tarvisio
Day 10: Return from Monte Santo di Lussari – End of the MADE Trek
Activity: Return and departure |Excursion: None
After completing the trek to Mount Lussari, the final day is dedicated to returning home or continuing your journey on your own. Lussari, with its Alpine village and the unique setting of the Julian Alps, offers a final opportunity to slowly experience the atmosphere of this iconic place before departing.
The day does not include any hiking activities and is designed to ensure a smooth return journey, allowing you to organize your transportation according to your needs. It's the perfect time to say goodbye to the mountains, mentally retrace the stages of the MADE Trek, and consolidate the experience of the previous days.
This closing day has a practical but important function: it allows the journey to conclude smoothly, maintaining the same attention and care that characterized the entire journey, from the arrival at Cima Sappada to the conclusion at Lussari.
End of the program: return with transfer.
Alternative trekking options
9 Days | From the Carnic Alps to the Julian Alps
This option maintains the symbolic arrival at Monte Santo di Lussari, slightly reducing the overall duration of the hike. It's ideal for those who want to finish the crossing at the most iconic point of the route, but with slightly less effort than the 10-day option.
8 Days | Through the Heart of the Alpine Border
This version focuses on the geographical and historical heart of the MADE Trek, crossing ridges, pastures, and border crossings between Carnia and Carinthia. The route ends at the Pramollo Pass, a historic cross-border crossing point, from where an organized transfer is provided.
7 Days | Historic Crossings and Border Culture
A compact itinerary that highlights historic mountain passes, the routes connecting valleys, and the cultural dimension of the Alpine border. The trek concludes in Cason di Lanza, a symbolic place of passage and meeting between territories.
6 Days | Alpine Pastures, Transhumance, and the War Front
The shorter version of the MADE Trek is designed as an introductory experience, yet extremely meaningful. The route passes through environments associated with transhumance, border mountain pastures, and sites of the First World War, arriving at Malga Pramosio, one of the most authentic points of the entire itinerary.