Hikes in Carinthia
VILLACH BOASTS MORe THAN 278 KM OF WELL-GROOMED HIKING PATHS, FROM EASY WALKS TO TOURS FOR THE AVID HIKER.
HIKE TO THE DOBRATSCH MOUNTAIN SUMMIT (2,167 m)
Carinthia’s first park of its kind, the Dobratsch nature park (2,167m) with the Alpengarten (more than 900 Alpine plants) lies nestled amid the Gailtal Valley, Bleiberger Hochtal and the basin of Villach. The thermal waters feeding the Villach Warmbad spa and the fountains of the Bad Bleibert health resort spring up from Dobratsch Mountain. Drive up Dobratsch Mountain on the Villach Alpine Road. Start from the Rosstratte car park (1,730 m) along path no. 291 and continue via 10er-Nock to the German church. Your efforts are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views, Europe’s highest mountain church and a new, modern mountain shelter. Length: 4 km; walking time: approx. 2 hrs; difference in altitude: 438 m.
VILLACH ALPINE ROAD
The Villach Alpine Road leads 16 adventurous kilometers from Villach-Möltschach up to the Rosstratte car park and offers sensational views of the town of Villach and the surrounding mountains and lakes. Highlights: Geology trail, rustic huts, large, attractively designed adventure playground for children and family hiking trails.
HIKE TO GERLITZEN MOUNTAIN (1,911 m)
The Gerlitzen Mountain is the most popular excursion destination in the heart of Carinthia! Take either the Kanzelbahn cable car or the Gipfelbahn chairlift for a quick and effortless ascent to the summit. The mountain offers excellent thermals, making it very popular with paragliders.
MOUNTAIN HUT TOUR: STIFTERBODEN – STEINWENDERHÜTTE – KAMMERHÜTTE – TURNERHÜTTE
Ascent to the summit by chairlift. From the top station of the Gerlitzen Gipfelbahn, the route takes you over a well-maintained hiking trail to Stifterboden. Continue via the Steinwenderhütte hut to the Kammerhütte hut, and then via the Turnerhütte hut back to the Sonnenarena/middle station (1,526m). This is a family-friendly hike with many opportunities to rest and take refreshments along the well-secured hiking trails through the forest. Walking time: approx. 2 hrs; difference in altitude: 400 m.
MITTAGSKOGEL SUMMIT (2,145 m)
Sitting right on the border between Austria and Slovenia, the Mittagskogel is one of the highest peaks in the Karawanken mountain range.
Approach: Follow the road for about 2-3 km to Latschach (in the direction of St. Jakob/Rosental), turn right after the Mittagskogel hotel (well signposted) and continue to Bertahütte. An off-road vehicle is recommended for this stretch to the upper car park (difficult road conditions).
Ascent: Via Bertahütte hut (1,567 m) along the 680 (forest road) or the 603 (forest path) trail. Walking time about 1 hour. The 680 marking leads from the Bertahütte hut via the Eastern ravine to the national border and from there to the summit (1.5 hrs). Total walking time: about 4.5 hrs; difference in altitude: 1,100 m.
See here for the most scenic hiking routes of the Villach Region.