SUMMER IN CARINTHIA

Carinthia in the summer

Carinthia is a place between glaciers and palm trees! A place for mountain sports enthusiasts, water sports enthusiasts, cyclists (also MTB) but also for the enjoyable hiker. For car and motorcyclists there are various mountain passes to tour.

A selection of the possibilities:

Discover the artist's town of Gmünd. With the cozy main street and the studios, exhibitions and workshops in the alleys.

This summer, from May 25 to October 5, 2025, there is a permanent exhibition* by David Hockney: "Das druckgrafische Werk" in the Kunsthaus Gmünd on the Hauptplatz in Gmünd. For more information about the art and workshops (Sommerakademie) in Gmünd, visit www.kuenstlerstadt-gmuend.at.

Via the Malta Hochalmstraße* along many waterfalls to the Kölnbreinsperre dam.

This panoramic road starts near our guesthouse and eventually ends at the highest dam in Austria.

For a beautiful view, hiking opportunities and in the summer to the snow. Then visit one of the mountain railways the Gerlitzen*, the Goldeck* or the Mölltaler Gletscher*.

Panoramic roads for cars and motorbikes:

- Goldeck Panoramastraße*

- Malta Hochalmstraße*

- Nockalmstraße*

- Villacher Alpenstraße*

The lakes Millstättersee and Ossiachersee for swimming, paddle boarding or taking a tour boat*.

Raggaschlucht* and Groppensteinschlucht*

The two most famous ‘schluchten’ (mountain gorges) in Carinthia to walk through and enjoy the falling water.

* These excursions are usually free with the Kärnten Card, which is included with a stay of 2 nights or more. Check www.kaerntencard.at for all the possibilities.

IDEAS FOR YOUR STAY

1. DAY

Malta Hochalmstraße and Kölnbreinsperre

On the first day of your holiday you don't have to go far. The Malta Hochalmstraße starts right near our guesthouse. You drive through the Maltatal, the valley of falling water, where you can see beautiful waterfalls. For example the Fallbach and Gössfälle. Get off along the way to discover even more waterfalls at the "Malteiner Wasserspiele". The Malta Hochalmstraße is a beautiful route over winding roads and past impressive waterfalls. At the end of this panoramic road you will arrive at the Kölnbreinsperre, the highest dam in Austria. On a glass platform "Airwalk" you can experience the height yourself. Enjoy the place or take a nice walk along the water.

Read more about it HERE.

2. DAY

Mölltaler Gletscher and Raggaschlucht

On the second day you can take a drive to the Mölltaler Glacier near Flattach. Go to 3000 m and enjoy the beautiful view or take a nice walk. Seeing the snow in the summer remains special. On the way back you can go to the Raggaschlucht which is also located in Flattach. Take a nice walk in the gorge here of about 1 to 2 hours. During the walk you walk along a small river and along high walls where it has eroded itself. You walk along waterfalls and fast flowing parts. Here you walk over and around, via bridges that are attached to the sides of the walls. If you still have energy after this walk you can go the Groppensteinschlucht on the way back near Obervellach.

3. DAY

Gerlitzen, Adler Arena Burg Landskron and Abenteuer Affenberg

For the third day you can complete your day in the area around Villach. With the Bergbahn of the Gerlitzen Alpe to 1911 m altitude for a beautiful view of the Ossiacher See and the Karawanken. A nice mountain for a nice walk. Paragliding is very popular on the mountain. Nice to watch and maybe you dare to make a duo jump yourself. Near Villach you can visit the Adler Arena Burg Landskron and abenteuer Affenberg. They are within walking distance of each other. In Burg Landskron you can see a bird of prey show and in the Affenberg you will get an explanation of how monkeys live as a group. If there is still time left you can also go to the Villach Alpenarena. There may be athletes training on the ski jumps. Always impressive to see.

More excursion tips