Knieberg, 2.503 m

The Knieberg (2503 m) lies just across the South Tyrolean border and therefore also has an Italian name: Col Quaterna. It is part of the Carnic Main Ridge, but stands slightly south of this ridge, over which the front ran during the First World War. This proximity has given the mountain fortifications and paths that are now used for tourism. A small road that branches off from the eastern ramp of the Kreuzberg pass road leads to the extensive alpine pasture area below the Knieberg, thus pleasantly shortening the ascent. And after the summit tour, the Coltrondo hut invites you to have a snack... The start is from the hotel to the Kreuzberg pass (on foot or by bus) and from there to the Rifugio Malga Coltrondo (1879 m). Once there, a forest road (signposted "Alpe Nemes") leads slightly uphill to a tiny varnish (1902 m). Here the marked trail branches off to the right to the Kniebergsattel (Passo Silvella). It climbs through larch groves and across open alpine slopes to the ruins of an old fortress (2058 M9; on the long western ridge of the Knieberg, it turns into its northern flank. Cross it without gaining much altitude until you reach the innermost Vallorera, where a serpentine path comes up from the Nemesalpe. Take it to the right to the Kniebergsattel (Passo Silvella, 2329 m) and continue on an easy ascent through the eastern slopes to the Sella del Quaterna (2379 m) with a small marine statue. Only a few metres further on, the summit trail branches off to the right: then zigzag across the rugged slope to the great view on the Knieberg. The descent first leads back to the Sella del Quaterna, then continues along a former war road in comfortable loops with a clear view of the north-eastern flank of the Sesto Dolomites down to the alpine pasture area. Turn right here and return via the Casera Rinfreddo (1887 m) to the Rifugio Malga Coltrondo, continue to the Kreuzbergpass and back to Moos to the Hotel Alpenblick.

 

From the Kniebergsattel, the ridge of the Frugnoni (2562 m) is easy to climb, just under 1 hour via the Sella dei Frugnoni (2539 m) and the "Karnischen Höhenweg". Magnificent distant views of the Hohe Tauern with Großvenediger (3666 m) and Großglockner (3797 m); Obstanser See (2304 m) lies in the green valley below the main Carnic ridge.