Discover Carinthia: cycling routes, lakes and culture

Carinthia can be explored in many ways: on multi-day tours, following historic traces, enjoying lakeside experiences and sampling regional cuisine. The Dobratsch Circular Hiking Trail has five stages that lead through landscapes featuring former burial mounds, mining tunnels, former monastery sites and ancient Roman roads. The Villach Alpine Road offers views of Villach, the Karawanks and the Julian Alps.

Cycling routes and multi-day tours

The Drau Cycle Path has been awarded a 5-star quality rating by the ADFC. It crosses national borders, running from South Tyrol through East Tyrol, Carinthia and Slovenia to Croatia. The Via Carinzia offers 162 kilometres of cycling in five daily stages between the Rosental Valley, Lake Klopein and the Lavant Valley. The Carinthian Lakes Loop is divided into eight stages.

The Carnic High Route and the Southern Alps Panorama Trail also offer clear details for planning a tour: the high route runs for 155 kilometres along the border between Carinthia and Italy. The Southern Alps Panorama Trail stretches for more than 200 kilometres over 17 daily stages. Together with the five-stage Via Carinzia, they showcase a range of route lengths and stage structures.

Lakes, views and landscapes

Lake Weissensee lies at an altitude of 930 metres and is Austria’s highest swimming lake in the Alps. On a Lake Wörthersee boat trip, you can enjoy panoramic views of the towns along the shore; dining on board is also part of the offer. This combines a lakeside experience with a boat trip and views from the water.

The UNESCO Global Geopark Karawanken brings together nine Carinthian and five Slovenian municipalities. At the Mežica mine in Slovenia, visitors can explore the decommissioned tunnels of Mount Peca by cycling through them, canoeing or joining a guided tour. Separately, the Geo.Dom invites visitors to immerse themselves in the “NatureGame” in a lounge with breathtaking views.

History and culture

The Bamberg Amtshof in Feldkirchen was built in the 12th century. The Amtshof Museum covers local history, folklore and architectural history. There are more than 400 castles and palaces across Carinthia; this regional total may change. This offers a perspective on history ranging from a specific building in Feldkirchen to historic sites throughout the region.

Carinthian cuisine and regional experiences

For centuries, Carinthian Alpine-Adriatic cuisine has been shaped by influences from Austria, Italy and Slovenia. A typical Carinthian yeast pastry is Reindling, filled with sugar, raisins and cinnamon. Slow Food Travel in Carinthia includes workshops and guided tours focusing on local producers and culinary experiences.

At the Gurktal Noodle House, visitors make their own Carinthian Kasnudeln, taste them on site and take ten noodles home. The experience can be booked on request. Then check the locations relevant to your specific plans to choose a hotel base that suits your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Klagenfurt-Land, Feldkirchen, Spittal An Der Drau, Wolfsberg, Villach, Sankt Veit An Der Glan, Hermagor, Völkermarkt.

Back to the main travel overview: Austria.