Berg im Drautal: Hiking and Culture

If you are looking for a hotel in Berg im Drautal, you can plan your trip around the activities that interest you. Highlights include the Way of St. James in the village centre, gorges and churches, as well as leisure activities on the Drau and at the Emberger Alm.

Hiking and trails in Berg im Drautal

You can join the Way of St. James directly in the village centre of Berg im Drautal. In the Outdoorpark Oberdrautal region, Berg im Drautal also offers a network of hiking trails. The Geißlochklamm gorge is accessible and features impressive limestone formations and a restored historic lime kiln. A one-kilometre hiking trail with around 100 metres of elevation gain leads through the gorge.

The Sensopark comprises five sensory-meditative hikes with exercises for body and mind. The Ochsenschluchtklamm gorge offers a family-friendly, adventurous hike with a natural playground and a campfire grill. The hiking options therefore include both sensory exercises and distinctive natural and historical sites.

Activities on the Drau and at the Emberger Alm

Cyclists can use the Drau Cycle Path in Berg im Drautal, and canoe trips are available on the Drau. Guided hikes start from the Emberger Alm. It is also a family ski area with ten kilometres of pistes and four lifts. Operating times and conditions are seasonal. Paragliding and hang-gliding are also practised at the Emberger Alm.

The Emberger Alm holiday observatory is available to amateur astronomers without their own equipment and can be rented. Guided tours can be booked on request and are held regularly. If you plan to use the observatory or take a guided tour, check current availability before travelling.

Churches and cultural history

The Catholic parish church of the Nativity of Mary and the cemetery are protected as historic monuments by decree. Berg Parish Church was first mentioned in a document in 1267 and was converted into a fortified church in the 15th century. The nave contains wall paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. The ceiling frescoes in the Romanesque charnel house known as “Michelele” are of great art-historical significance.

The branch church of St. Athanas stands in open fields near the Drau, beside the Drautaler Bundesstraße. It was first mentioned in a document in 1443 and was originally dedicated to Saint Nonnosus. Remains of two monumental cycles of standing figures, originally positioned one above the other and dating from different periods, have been preserved. Both depict Jesus Christ with the twelve Apostles. The church is also known locally as “St. Athanas”; once a place of pilgrimage, it now provides a venue for sacred concerts, with its high altar.

Slow Food and regional produce

Thanks to its climatically favourable location, the Slow Food Village of Berg is home to vines, sweet chestnuts and almost-forgotten varieties of fruit and grain. The village traditionally hosts its Genussfrühstück (gourmet breakfast) in autumn; exact dates may vary. The Binter-Hof farm shop sells cheese, bacon, sausages and dairy products.

Getting around and swimming

The Postbus Shuttle Oberes Drautal has been operating in Berg im Drautal as an on-demand service for residents and tourists since 15 October 2025. You can book it via the Postbus Shuttle app or by calling 0800 80 88 08. If you are planning your journey around the service, check the booking channels in advance.

The Berg im Drautal adventure swimming pool has two swimming pools, including a children's pool with a 38-metre water slide. There is also a paddling pool, a large sunbathing lawn, a children's playground and a beach volleyball court.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Außerfragant, Pesenthein, Winklern, Mallnitz, Emberg, Baldramsdorf, Pattendorf, Kolbnitz.

Back to the regional travel overview: Spittal an der Drau.