Schiefling Am See: Archaeology, Churches and Nature

For a stay in Schiefling Am See, you can focus on cultural history, nature or the water. The Kathreinkogel combines archaeological and religious themes, while the Generationenpark, hiking options and bodies of water offer other perspectives. These differences can help you plan your trip around your group’s interests.

Culture and history on the Kathreinkogel

At 772 m, the Kathreinkogel is the municipality’s most prominent geographical feature. The Filialkirche Hl. Katharina stands on the hill: a single-nave Romanesque building with a Late Gothic choir and ribbed vault. The church was first mentioned in written records in 1385. Its Romanesque design and Late Gothic features give the architecture distinct accents.

The parish church of St. Michael in Schiefling is also a destination in its own right for those interested in cultural history: it is a listed church building. While the chapel’s architectural style and vault are the focus, the parish church is distinguished by its listed status.

Archaeological traces and a distinctive summit feature

A settlement dating to the 12th century BC was excavated on the Kathreinkogel. The archaeological site on the hill includes, among other things, a castellum with an early Christian church and a burial ground to the southwest. This brings very different historical traces together in one place: a prehistoric settlement and a site featuring an early Christian church.

The House of Archaeology displays finds from excavations on the Kathreinkogel and from other excavation sites in Carinthia. It is open seasonally. From the Kreuzwirt car park, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to the house; this approximate walking time is a useful guide for planning. Check in advance whether the seasonal opening schedule suits the time of your visit.

Austria’s only wishing tree stands on the summit of the Kathreinkogel. Visitors hang their wishes on wooden plaques on the tree. This distinctive summit feature is linked to a specific visitor tradition that differs from the archaeological themes on the hill.

Outdoor activities and nature

The Generationenpark offers exercise and play facilities for everyone from toddlers to adults, as well as spaces to sit and relax. Other options include nature experiences, sports activities and coordination training. The park therefore offers both opportunities to be active and places to unwind; which aspects matter to you depends on the focus of your outing.

Hiking trails pass through the internationally recognised Ramsar site “Moor and Lake Landscape of the Keutschach Lake Valley.” The area is home to numerous rare plant and animal species. Another named hiking route is the Natura Trail Keutschacher Seental, which runs from Schiefling to Hafnersee. The trail has clearly named endpoints, while the Ramsar site is notable for its landscape and biological diversity. This lets you distinguish between a route with a defined course and a natural area with distinctive features.

Lake Wörthersee and Trattnigteich

The market town of Schiefling am Wörthersee borders Lake Wörthersee to the south for about 4 km. There is a Wörthersee boat service stop by the “Weißes Rössl” beach café. If you plan to take a boat trip, checking the timetable in advance can help with your plans.

Trattnigteich, an artificial small body of water with largely natural, wooded shores, is located near Schiefling. Its northern shore is particularly important for local bathing; the pond is also a place to enjoy fishing in Schiefling am Wörthersee. The local waters offer different experiences: Lake Wörthersee shapes the municipality’s southern boundary and is connected to boat services, while Trattnigteich is known for its shoreline, bathing and fishing.

Choose your destination based on what interests you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Ebenthal In Kärnten, Wurdach, Ludmannsdorf, Pörtschach Am Wörther See, Auen, Treffelsdorf, Ferlach, Feistritz Im Rosental

Return to the main travel overview: Klagenfurt-Land.