Vacation in Carinthia.

The regions around Lake Wörthersee, Lake Faak, Lake Ossiach, Lake Millstätter See, Lake Weissensee and Lake Klopeiner See offer numerous lidos and water sports activities that invite you to enjoy swimming and water sports with a southern flair and mild climate. Opportunities for hiking or climbing the surrounding mountains encourage activity in between. This combination is an excellent choice for successful summer days in Austria's southernmost province. Nature lovers can explore both the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Nockberge Biosphere Park from the Karnerhof. Hiking in the Carinthian Nockberge mountains is particularly beneficial for body, mind and soul. In harmony with nature, visitors discover the rich flora and fauna of the ancient low mountain range in the heart of Europe. In Carinthia, dream trails can be found in a unique mountain and hilly landscape at various altitudes. Warm bathing lakes are often to be found in the immediate vicinity. The flagship of Carinthia as a hiking destination is the Alpe-Adria-Trail, which leads in 43 stages and over a distance of 750 kilometers from the Grossglockner in Carinthia to the sea. In addition, the low mountain pasture landscapes and gentle plains invite you to explore.

The Nockberge mountains are a unique paradise for 2-wheel enthusiasts. There is an extensive network of cycle paths with numerous refreshment stops, suitable for sporty freeriders as well as relaxed e-bikers and families with children. The routes are carefully structured and offer a pleasant riding experience surrounded by breathtaking nature.

Vacations in Carinthia in winter.
Vacations by the lake in Carinthia in winter.

A winter vacation in Carinthia is synonymous with a wellness and exercise vacation that offers added value. In addition to numerous opportunities for skiing, there is a wide range of activities such as ice skating, cross-country skiing and winter hiking in a picturesque landscape. The most important ski areas in Carinthia are: Mölltal Glacier, Turracher Höhe, Gerlitzen, Katschberg, Nassfeld, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Heiligenblut, Hochrindl, Goldeck, Weissensee, Kötschach Mauthen, Koralpe and Bodental. In total, there are 24 ski areas with over 800 kilometers of slopes that will delight families, advanced skiers and experts alike. These ski areas are characterized by their high snow reliability and above-average number of hours of sunshine.

Those who appreciate culture and shopping will find what they are looking for in the city of Villach: The second largest city in Carinthia with its 60,000 inhabitants is known for its romantic old town with numerous restaurants, cafés, inns and hidden alleyways as well as sunny squares. In addition to cultural highlights such as museums and galleries, there is also a popular shopping street that provides variety. Here you can feel the joie de vivre of the Carinthians and celebrate in style. Connoisseurs will be delighted by the culinary delights that can be found in the numerous restaurants and inns as well as at the local markets in Carinthia.

From the shores of Lake Ossiach, the Kanzelbahn cable car takes you up to the Gerlitzen Alpe, where there is plenty for families to experience with a high ropes course, piste tubing and the best thermals for paragliders. This makes the region the perfect vacation destination in Carinthia, especially for families with children.

The third largest lake in Carinthia reaches a water temperature of up to 27 degrees Celsius in summer, although it is up to 53 meters deep. In addition to relaxed swimming and water sports, action lovers can also take advantage of the thermals of the surrounding mountains while paragliding and diving. Nature and landscape conservation areas guarantee an untouched natural landscape along some of the shore and lake areas. The lake lies between the Ossiacher Tauern in the south and the Gerlitzen in the north. The Gerlitzen is Ossiach's local mountain and offers an impressive view over the lake. It can be easily reached by Carinthia's oldest mountain railroad. Lake Ossiach is ideal for various water sports activities and the shore area is a popular destination for hikers and Nordic walkers. A 25 km long cycle path leads around the lake. The villages on the lake are connected by the Ossiachersee Schifffahrt boat service.

The Gerlitzen Alpe on the northern shore of Lake Ossiach is one of the most beautiful flying mountains in Austria. In summer, Lake Ossiach is transformed into the venue for the international music festival "Carinthian Summer". An easy circular tour leads along the eastern shore of Lake Ossiach through the idyllic Bleistätter Moor. The Slow Trail offers an insight into the species-rich nature and landscape area. The region is very popular as a biking destination as it offers a variety of bike tours. These include the Drau Cycle Path, which leads from Spittal an der Drau via Villach back to Spittal, the Tiebel Cycle Path, where the springs of Lake Ossiach originate, the Millstätter-See-Rundweg, which includes a visit to the Rosengarten in Seeboden, the Alpe-Adria-Radweg, which leads along the abandoned monarchy railroad line to Venzone in Italy, and the Gerlitzen-Tour, the mountain bike classic of the region with 1400 meters of altitude.

The Nockberge Biosphere Reserve presents the originality of nature in unique diversity and authenticity over an area of 485 km². The gentle mountains are geologically one of the oldest low mountain ranges in Europe and provide a habitat for a variety of animals and plants. Marmots and Alpine salamanders as well as the Swiss stone pine and the endemic Speik are native here. The region has been shaped by human activity over the centuries - the result is a unique natural and cultural landscape that is worth preserving and admiring.

The decision to designate the Nockberge region as a biosphere reserve was the result of a long and complex selection process that focused on environmentally friendly and sustainable development. The landscape in the Carinthia Nature Park is of incomparable diversity and beauty. Heaths, raised bogs, streams, lakes, alpine meadows and alpine plateaus provide a diverse habitat for a multitude of animals and plants. However, one of the most inconspicuous plants, the speik, has become a celebrity of the local flora. Its fragrant flowers cover the mountain slopes and form the basis for healing and care products that are valued worldwide.

Lake Klopein.

On vacation in Carinthia directly on the lake.

In summer, temperatures at Lake Klopeiner See reach up to 29 degrees Celsius, which is why it is often referred to as the warmest bathing lake in the Alps. The lake is particularly popular with families with young children, as it offers an alternative to the famous "Adriatic splash". Today, the lake is an attractive vacation destination for young and old. The mild climate, the many hours of sunshine and the southern flair help to create a beach atmosphere. The region around Lake Klopeiner See was already being used as a health resort at the end of the 19th century. Even today, families and active vacationers are still drawn to the region. Lake Klopeiner See is geographically located southwest of Völkermarkt in the municipality of Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See. It is the remnant of a much larger post-glacial lake that once covered the entire area around the present-day village of Kühnsdorf. In addition to Lake Klopeiner See, six other lakes with drinking water quality in the South Carinthia region invite you to enjoy a swim. The mild climate, the southern flair, the picturesque nature and the varied activity program make this region a great excursion destination from the Karnerhof.

Lake Weissensee.

On vacation in Carinthia.

The enchanting, pristine and authentic Lake Weissensee is located at an altitude of almost 1000 m. It is the highest bathing lake in Carinthia and boasts a pleasantly warm water temperature of 24°C in summer. A water surface area of 6.5 km² and a picturesque, largely unspoilt shoreline of 23 km offer plenty of space for water sports and bathing fun. Lake Weissensee is 11.6 km long and has an average width of 500-600 meters. Of the entire municipal area, 76 km² are designated as a landscape and nature reserve. The landscape resembles a fjord and impresses with its fabulously beautiful water world. The water quality is excellent and can almost be described as drinking water. For this reason, the lake is still a wonderful fishing water today, and the trout from Lake Weissensee have been a popular culinary delicacy in the region for over half a millennium. In 1974, the largest lake trout weighing 22 kg was caught from the lake. The lake is home to over 20 species of fish, including carp, pike, perch, tench, whitefish, zander, rudd and lake trout. Nestled in the Gailtal Alps, the lake offers a cozy setting and is an excellent starting point for summer activities such as swimming, mountain biking, boat and ship trips, sailing, surfing, fishing, diving, horseback riding, carriage rides and much more.

Lake Millstatt.

On vacation in Carinthia.

Lake Millstatt covers an area of 13.3 square kilometers and is the second largest lake in Carinthia after Lake Wörthersee. With a depth of 141 meters, it is also the deepest and richest in water. Its picturesque location between the wooded Nockberge mountains and the Mediterranean climate make the lake a popular tourist destination, especially in summer. But Lake Millstatt is also a recommended destination for vacationers in winter. Away from the crowds, you can enjoy the magic of winter in peace and quiet, go on leisurely winter hikes and much more.

It is worth noting that the lake water is so rich in minerals that it is even drinkable, which will delight bathing enthusiasts in particular. The water temperature at Lake Millstatt meets the needs of summer vacationers, as it is comparatively warm: In the middle of the lake, the water can reach up to 22 degrees, while on the shores it can be as warm as 26 degrees.