The Three Borders point
Three states meet on Monte Forno. You get there on foot from Italy, by chairlift from Austria, or along a Slovenian path: and at the top you all meet.
- From the housethe Italian path starts at Fusine, about 12 km from the house
- When to goLate spring to autumn.
- What it is calledMonte Forno · Dreiländereck in German
- Which countriesItaly, Austria and Slovenia
It is called Monte Forno, in German Dreiländereck, «three countries corner». It is the point where the borders of Italy, Austria and Slovenia meet. It is not a line drawn on a map: it is a place where you can stand with one foot in one state and one in another.
You can reach it from three sides, and that is what makes it special. From Italy you set off from Fusine in Valromana: about fifteen kilometres and six hundred metres of climb, on a waymarked path largely along forest roads in the shade of the woods. A full day’s walk, but with no technical difficulty. From Austria there is the chairlift up from Seltschach, above Arnoldstein: open 9am to 6pm, and the comfortable way in for anyone who is not walking fifteen kilometres. From Slovenia you climb from Rateče, near Kranjska Gora.
If you have the day, walk up from Italy and come down on the Austrian side to the chairlift. If you have two hours, drive to Arnoldstein and ride the chairlift up: forty minutes of driving and you are at the top without effort. Many people do not know this second option exists, and give up.
The result is that at the top you find yourselves together, people arrived by three different routes, speaking three different languages, handing each other their phones to take the photograph. The Three Borders Friendship Festival is held here every year.
To grasp what it really means, remember that until 1991 this border was the edge between two worlds. Now you walk across it.
The Italian path is long: fifteen kilometres with six hundred metres of climb calls for water, proper shoes and a morning start. It is not an after-lunch stroll.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to the Three Borders point near Tarvisio?
In three ways. On foot from Italy, setting off from Fusine in Valromana: about fifteen kilometres with six hundred metres of climb. By chairlift from Austria, from Seltschach above Arnoldstein, running from 9am to 6pm. Or from Slovenia, climbing from Rateče.
Can you reach the Three Borders without walking?
Yes, with the Dreiländereck chairlift on the Austrian side, which starts at Seltschach near Arnoldstein. It is the answer for anyone without a full day or unwilling to walk fifteen kilometres.
Where do Italy, Austria and Slovenia meet?
On Monte Forno, called Dreiländereck in German, above Tarvisio. It is the point where the three states’ borders touch, reachable on foot from all three sides.
We run a holiday flat in Tarvisio, in a well-served, strategic spot in the heart of the village. We know these places because we go to them: the distances, the car parks and the opening times above were all checked at source, one by one.
See the flat