Kartitsch: Winter Hiking and Culture

Since 2018, Kartitsch has been Austria’s first winter hiking village. Eight certified winter hiking trails underscore this focus; they are complemented by the Dorfberg high-altitude cross-country ski trail, the “Oswald Kollreider” artists’ trail, and points of natural and cultural interest. For travel planning, this means winter takes center stage, but the trails vary in activity and content. You can weigh up whether several winter hiking trails, a specific cross-country skiing route, or art in public spaces is more important for your stay. Individual cultural points and the sports and leisure center also add to the options.

Winter Hiking and Nature

The signposted winter hiking trails are maintained and cleared throughout the winter. For any individual hike, it is advisable to check seasonal conditions before setting out. Along the Schustertal winter hiking trail are impressive erratic boulders from the last Ice Age. This gives the route a specific connection to nature in addition to the opportunity for exercise. If you would also like to explore the history of the landscape while hiking, the boulders offer a distinct theme along the way.

Winter Hiking or Cross-Country Skiing

The Dorfberg high-altitude cross-country ski trail is a 10 km route of intermediate difficulty. Unlike the winter hiking options, which include eight certified trails, this is a single route with a stated length and difficulty level. This lets you compare a choice of several hiking trails with a cross-country skiing route whose characteristics are clearly specified, then decide which activity better suits your plans.

Art Trails and Long-Distance Hiking

The “Oswald Kollreider” artists’ trail adds a cultural touch. It leads from the municipal center in Kartitsch via Wiesenweg to St. Oswald and connects works of art in public spaces in both parts of the village. This gives you both a specific route and a shared theme to follow. If you want to choose a route based on its cultural focus, art in public spaces takes center stage here—unlike on the high-altitude cross-country ski trail, for which the length and difficulty level are specified.

The first stage of long-distance hiking trail 1753 runs from Kartitsch to Kreuzberg Pass; it was completed and signposted in June 2023. Its stated destination distinguishes this trail from the artists’ trail, which runs via Wiesenweg to St. Oswald. This lets you compare two different route ideas: a stage ending at Kreuzberg Pass and a route connecting works of art in public spaces in both parts of the village.

Further Points of Interest in the Village

The military cemetery lies on a small hill southeast of the village center, near the church. The Kartitsch sports and leisure center offers a multifunctional play area, a children’s playground, and tennis and football courts. These clearly identified cultural and sports facilities add further points of interest to the selection of trails. If you do not want to plan your stay around a route alone, you can also consider these places and facilities as additional aspects of the destination.

Discover more travel destinations: Bruggen, Lavant, Matrei in Osttirol, Virgen, Prägraten am Großvenediger, Nikolsdorf, Thurn, Untertilliach

For the overview of the wider region: Lienz.