Hiking with all senses along twenty Slow Trails in Carinthia

People love walking along the shores of a lake. The open space created by the surface of the water and the mountain backdrop provide an atmosphere that can relax yet inspire. And this is where the twenty Carinthian Slow Trails come in. Relaxed paths with lakeside views, not more than 10 km in length and a max. 300 m difference in altitude.

One of the two Slow Trails at Lake Millstätter See has a long tradition as a path with special qualities. The 2.6 km circular route at the foot of Mystic Mount Mirnock, home to the legend of the Mirnock giant and his ill-fated love for a fisherman’s daughter, offers breathtaking views of Lake Millstätter See time and again. Locals have been drawn up onto this mountain for generations to enjoy the romance of its fascinating views and wonderful sunsets. 

Lake Millstätter See Slow Trail ‘Southern Shore’ leads hikers closer to the mineral-rich water than any other. The path winds its way across 4.4 km from Seeboden, along the silent, natural shore, past hidden bays and sandy beaches. Lake Encounters® await you along the southern shore and its information boards tell you about life at the lake, boat architecture and fishing. What’s more, there are hammocks that invite you to relax at various secluded spots. 

Lake Maltschacher See lies like an oasis of calm near the town of Feldkirchen at the foothills of the Nockberge Mountains. Meadows and forests surround a hidden paradise, a precious cultural landscape blessed with wine and a touch of the south, full of serenity and joie de vivre. Here, time becomes irrelevant. It is a retreat full of tranquillity and beauty, familiar and idyllic, rich in tradition and enjoyable, with the sparkling lake always at its centre. A landscape that transforms ...

Walk along sun-drenched promenades, through green forests, across cool moors and rolling hills to unique starting points. Down to Austria's most wonderful waters. Take the boat to the starting point, hike a bit, continue by boat or set off on foot from your accommodation and return later by boat. The combination of these two wonderful elements, boating and hiking, is rare enough. This is hiking at Lake Wörthersee. It is the ease of life that can be felt here in the picturesque villages around the lake. The turquoise blue Lake Wörthersee, which reaches temperatures of up to 27°C in summer, invites you to jump into the cool water and find a slowdown after the high life. At Lake Wörthersee, you can relax perfectly and sink into the pleasant rhythm of walking, experiencing wonderful hiking sensations without having to climb big mountains. However, if your destination is at the very top, where the sky is within reach, then the Rosental valley is the right choice. Steep iron paths over bizarre rock faces lead to your personal summit victory.

On the Slow Trail Römerschlucht, the Brahms, Schaukel and Yoga trails and the Meerauge, those seeking relaxation can lose themselves in space and time through meditative walking, thus rediscovering their inner peace and strengthening themselves. With the Wörthersee EXTREM hike, the Sonnwend hike and the Wörthersee-Rosental hiking programme (Wörthersee Plus Card free of charge!), there is something for every hiking enthusiast.

Tip: The numerous lakeside restaurants are the perfect place to enjoy culinary delights after an individual adventure hike.

One of South Carinthia’s most spectacular lookout points with a unique view – for all senses – can be found along the Slow Trail Kitzelberg at Lake Klopeiner See. Its 3.5 kilometres lead placidly from the western shores of the lake, through the forest and up to the viewing platform on the Kitzelberg with the Kleinsee, Lake Turnersee and Lake Klopeiner See sparkling like mirrors at its feet, inviting you for a refreshing dip after the hike. Water temperatures regularly go above 28°C in summer, making Lake Klopeiner See Europe’s warmest bathing lake. The same goes for Lake Turnersee. 

Start your leisurely circular tour at the new Bike Break rest area in a south-easterly direction and hike around the entire  Lake Turnersee. On this family-friendly tour, you will pass through shady forest paths, lush flower meadows and quiet asphalt roads, enjoying a magnificent panorama of the idyllic lake and the mystical Karawanken mountains. Back at the Bike Break rest area, conquer the seven-metre-high adventure climbing tower in the shape of a water lily and refresh yourself with fresh Carinthian water from the drinking fountain.

The 11.6 km long Weissensee, renowned for its fjord-like landscape, clear, turquoise blue depths of drinking water quality and as the only lake in Carinthia without a bypass road, offers the perfect Slow Trail scenario. The shore path leads along 8.8 km, with secluded bays and resting places, accompanied by the backdrop of the Gailtal Alps and with views of the proud Lienz Dolomites. You can opt to follow the trail from Neusach (Ronacherfels) to the eastern shore or the other way around and to combine it with a boat trip on the environmentally friendly "MS Alpenperle".

The 5.8 km long Slow Trail at Lake Pressegger See winds its way through a dense reed belt, protectively framed by the Gailtal- and Carnic Alps. Attentive hikers will find water lilies, mare’s-tail and rare flora and fauna such as the great crested grebe or special types of dragonfly in this unique vegetation with up to three-metre-high reeds. From the slopes of the shores you can look out across the entire lake in all of its beauty. A dip is highly recommended at the end of the trail here too, with Lake Pressegger See being of the same drinking water quality as all of the mentioned lakes.

The Slow Trail at Lake Afritzer See has been earning itself a reputation as one of the popular pleasure trails. At the feet of the Mirnock and Wöllaner Nock mountains, the idyllic trail leads 4.6 km through the biodiverse conservation area of Lake Afritzer See, home to more than 15 types of fish and crayfish. From the beginning of the trail at the south side of Seepark car park – easily recognisable by the entrance gate of crossed boat frames – all the way to Feld am See, hammocks and benches invite you to take a break at the most picturesque spots. 

Slow Trail Bleistätter Moor - Between Gerlitzen Alpe in the north and Ossiacher Tauern
To the south lies the emerald green Lake Ossiach, followed by the Bleistätter Moor on its eastern shore. With the first step through the archway at the start of the Slow Trail, you shed any mental baggage you don't want to carry with you on this wonderful, easy hike. Walking and enjoying a natural gem – what more could you want? But the experience can begin even earlier. Depending on your desire to explore, the starting point for this Slow Trail can be varied. During the summer months (mid-May to mid-October), the direct boat connection between Ossiach and the Steinhaus Domenig in Steindorf makes it possible to experience this Slow Trail in all its diversity.

You will also find the two new Slow Trails Faaker See and Wernberg in the Villach region. The one at Lake Faaker See leads through the idyllic nature reserve and conservation area on the edge of Drobollacher Moor. Hikers are accompanied by views of the turquoise blue Lake Faaker See and the Mittagskogel mountain, its striking shape reminding of a volcano. The trail takes you across natural paths in places to free lake accesses on the peninsula or in Faak am See itself. 

The Slow Trail Wernberg also consists of natural paths in parts, leading from Wernberg Abbey and its attached agriculture and fishponds into an ornithologically interesting area – the Drauschleife. This special part of Carinthia’s main river the Drau provides a precious habitat for nesting birds and also for migrating species. A hammock invites you to rest, before following the narrow path to the viewing platform and back. A good pair of binoculars will be most welcome on this tour in particular. 

Slow Trail Längsee
The waters of Lake Längsee may not be particularly deep, but they are all the more relaxing for it. The Slow Trail Längsee route leads along the shores of Central Carinthia's largest bathing lake, past the historic St. Georgen Abbey, through the hamlet of Rottenstein close to the western shore, past the golf course and back to the lido, where a dip in the water is highly recommended. There are several benches along the route where you can catch your breath and enjoy spectacular views of the lake, the abbey and the Karawanken mountains.

Slow Trail Flattnitzer See
The Flattnitz is a historic mountain pass in the middle of the Gurktal Alps, connecting Carinthia and Styria. In addition to the good Rauf as a cross-country skiing centre in winter, the Flattnitzer See is also a previously hidden gem. Like an opal, the deep blue lake lies in the middle of coniferous forests. Walking around it, which is feasible for everyone as it is only a few metres above sea level, you feel as if you are in Scandinavia. You can enjoy listening to the splashing of the water and watching dragonflies as they leap across the dense water surface.
Tip: For young Slow Trail walkers, Flattnitz has the perfect add-on with the Almenwasserweg, which connects directly to the Slow Trail and offers numerous play stations on the theme of water.

Slow Trail Urbansee
The municipality of Sankt Urban lies in the realm of the Wimitzer Mountains. The lake of the same name, Urbansee, is located in a 140-hectare landscape conservation area that is home to numerous magnificent examples of flora and fauna. On the Slow Trail, you will also learn about the history of Rhiannon, the guardian of Lake Urban, and Mithras, the god of the sun and light. Fascinating nature, history, adventure and a touch of mysticism make the Slow Trail a great experience and contribute to a journey to your inner self.