Rattendorf: Church, Circular Trail and Alpine Pasture

Late Gothic architecture in Rattendorf

The parish church of Rattendorf is a Late Gothic church dating from the beginning of the 16th century. Its choir features a stellar rib vault with intertwining ribs above wall piers with twisted columns. The church thus combines a specific historical date with the choir’s distinctive design.

A stellar rib vault is divided by ribs that form a star-like pattern; intertwining ribs curve and weave. The wall piers support the vault, while the twisted columns complement its structure. If you are interested in architectural history, you can understand the choir as an interplay of these components: the shape of the ceiling and the design of its supports contribute to a unified architectural impression.

Circular trail and traces of the Heidenmauer

The nature trail and the Rattendorf Water Adventure Trail form an approximately 4.5 km circular route. This approximate distance describes the route as a whole. The Water Adventure Trail runs partly along the protective embankment around the village of Rattendorf; the embankment is therefore one section of the route, not a description of the entire circuit. This helps distinguish the total distance from a notable section when planning your trip.

Visible remains of an ancient Roman defensive structure known as the “Heidenmauer” can be seen along the Water Adventure Trail. This adds a specific historical aspect to the trail’s connection with water. Nearby, the Heidenmauer, or Hadnmauer, which is up to 1.5 m wide, runs west of Rattendorf across the Gail Valley and extends in a straight line as far as Jenig. This makes it possible to distinguish the trail’s connection to the wall from the wall’s broader location in the Gail Valley.

Rattendorfer Alm and Hochwipfel

Rattendorfer Alm is at an elevation of 1,535 m; Hochwipfel rises to 2,195 m to its west. For the descent on the Hochwipfel hike, you can also take a circular route via Rattendorfer Riegelalm. This option applies to the descent and offers a specific alternative when planning your route.

Visitors to Rattendorfer Alm are treated to home-produced products and local specialties. A tour of the cheese dairy and stable is possible by prior arrangement. If you plan to take this tour, include the advance booking in your preparations; the alpine pasture thus combines a culinary aspect with a visit that must be arranged in advance.

Getting there and choosing a hotel

You can travel to Rattendorf by train from Villach to Hermagor and then continue by bus from Hermagor. Check the timetables before travelling so you can account for both legs of the journey in your plans.

If you are looking for a hotel in Rattendorf, choose your destination based on what interests you most: the parish church offers architectural history, the circular trail combines a connection with water and visible remains of the defensive structure, and Rattendorfer Alm and Hochwipfel offer a hiking focus. This comparison can help you decide what kind of stay you want before looking for a specific hotel.

Discover more destinations: Egg bei Hermagor, Kötschach-Mauthen, Radnig, Dellach, Birnbaum, Paßriach, Sankt Stefan An Der Gail, Sittmoos.

For the broader travel overview: Hermagor.