Hiking Vacation at Lake Wörthersee in Carinthia

Hiking Vacation at Lake Wörthersee in Carinthia

Over hill and dale to the most beautiful views at Lake Wörthersee

Fragrant forests, gentle hills, challenging peaks: from leisurely Slow Trails to demanding long-distance hikes, there is something for every taste and fitness level.

Mountains and lakes are never far apart.

Contents
1. Why hike at Lake Wörthersee?
2. Giulia’s Rooms & Suites
3. Finding the right hike at Lake Wörthersee
4. Discover more of Lake Wörthersee

Hiking in Carinthia is balm for the soul

The Lake Wörthersee region boasts a 400-kilometer network of hiking trails.

Nearly 60 kilometers of this forms the Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail, which connects the most beautiful viewpoints around Carinthia’s largest lake.

You can start not far from Giulia Slow Residence. If you don’t want to walk the entire route, you can return comfortably by boat or bus.

Familie mit Kindern auf den Schultern unterwegs durch eine Blumenwiese beim Familienurlaub Kärnten am Wörthersee

Why hike at Lake Wörthersee?

400 kilometers
of signposted trail network

Tours for all
fitness levels

Family-friendly and accessible hikes

Breathtaking views guaranteed

Easily incorporate boat, bus, and train into your route planning

Themed, long-distance, and pilgrimage trails within reach

Cool off with a dip in the lake

Wellness area for recovery at the hotel

Zwei Frauen beim Wandern im Wanderurlaub am Wörthersee

Planning a hiking vacation at Lake Wörthersee?

Giulia Slow Residence offers 23 rooms and 5 suites with balcony or terrace, breakfast every morning, and Lake Wörthersee with included beach access within walking distance.

Finding the right hike

Whether leisurely or physically challenging: there is a suitable hike around Lake Wörthersee.

Lake Wörthersee Circuit

58.5 kilometers and around 1,500 meters of elevation gain along the lake, through the surrounding forests, and up to the Pyramidenkogel.

The Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail connects the most beautiful viewpoints the region has to offer. Giulia Slow Residence is conveniently located near the 18-kilometer section between Velden and Reifnitz.

Entry and exit points for the Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail are possible at many locations. Parts of the route can be covered by boat.

Slow Trails in the region

Four Slow Trails, each completely different, invite you to explore the Lake Wörthersee area.

The Yoga Trail in Velden leads over three kilometers and eleven stations to inner peace and strength. On the Swing Trail near Reifnitz, hammocks and swings invite you to linger.

Between forest and water, you can breathe deeply in the Römerschlucht gorge, which leads to Lake Forstsee. Hikers follow in the footsteps of composer Johannes Brahms on the trail of the same name in Pörtschach.

Pilgrimage and long-distance hiking

Those who wish to be on the trail longer can stop at Lake Wörthersee as part of the Marienweg pilgrimage route or the cross-border Alpe-Adria Trail.

While the pilgrimage route runs along the southern shore of Lake Wörthersee and visits the pilgrimage church of Maria Wörth, one of the most beautiful spots on the lake, the approximately 750-kilometer Alpe-Adria long-distance trail from the Grossglockner to the Adriatic stops in Velden.

Hiking by boat

At Lake Wörthersee, you can enjoy the combination of hiking and boat travel like at hardly any other lake. Many landing stages, optimally connected to the region’s hiking network, invite you to extensive and varied tours in the region.

Even strenuous hikes can be combined with relaxing time on the water.

Travel and practical connections for hiking in Carinthia

Travel by car

Those arriving by car will find free parking directly in front of Giulia Slow Residence.

Travel by train and bus

Many places around Lake Wörthersee are accessible by train.

With the new Koralm Railway, Lake Wörthersee is now accessible from Graz in under an hour.

Hiking with the boat

At Lake Wörthersee, hiking can easily be combined with boat travel.

Many landing stages are connected to the region’s hiking network. Specially marked feeder trails for the Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail

Planning a multi-day hiking tour?

At Giulia Slow Residence, you can take an extended recovery stop on the Alpe-Adria Trail or gather new strength while walking the Marienweg pilgrimage route.

The Lake Wörthersee region offers varied hiking trails for all fitness levels. But there is much more to experience here beyond that. Various excursion destinations offer suitable activities for young and old.

Discover more of Lake Wörthersee during your hiking vacation

Time at the lake and exploring the region complete your stay at Giulia Slow Residence.

Vacation at Lake Wörthersee, panorama of the lake, with Maria Wörth and mountains in the background
Racing cyclist on the road during a sporty cycling vacation at Lake Wörthersee in Carinthia
Woman relaxing in the infrared cabin with closed eyes during wellness at Lake Wörthersee, enjoying deep-acting warmth for the muscles
Couple at the lakeshore during a Lake Wörthersee couples vacation with a view of the water and quality time together
Family vacation in Carinthia at Lake Wörthersee, walking through blooming meadows with children on shoulders

Frequently asked questions about hiking vacations at Lake Wörthersee

Lake Wörthersee is one of the most versatile regions for hiking in Carinthia. The approximately 400-kilometer well-maintained trail network invites panoramic hikes. In the surrounding area, challenging mountain tours are also possible. The combination of lake, mild climate, and many hours of sunshine makes hiking at Lake Wörthersee particularly attractive.

The best time for hiking in Carinthia is from April to October. Spring and autumn offer ideal temperatures for longer tours. In summer, hiking at Lake Wörthersee can be perfectly combined with swimming. For mountain tours, the months from June to September are optimal. However, the shores of Lake Wörthersee are also suitable for extended walks in winter.

Giulia Slow Residence in Schiefling is an excellent starting point for a hiking vacation at Lake Wörthersee. Nearby is the entrance to the Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail, and the Pyramidenkogel can also be reached on foot from the hotel. After returning, you can recover in the wellness area, garden, and bruncheria.

Yes, because many hiking trails at Lake Wörthersee lead directly to the water or to beach resorts. Refreshment stops are available along almost all routes. From Hotel Giulia, you can reach Schiefling beach resort just 300 meters away. Admission is included for hotel guests.

The 58.5-kilometer Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail leads around Lake Wörthersee in four stages. The terrain is hilly with some steep ascents and descents; a total of around 1,500 meters of elevation gain is covered. The route runs largely through forested areas, with repeated views of the lake and the Karawanken mountain range.

The individual stages run from Velden to Reifnitz (18 kilometers), from Reifnitz to Klagenfurt (11.4 kilometers), from Klagenfurt to Pörtschach (18.7 kilometers), and from Pörtschach back to Velden (13 kilometers). Entry is possible at many points. The route can be shortened using boat, bus, and train.

In addition to the well-signposted stages of the Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail, the four Slow Trails of the region (Swing Trail, Römerschlucht, Brahms Trail, and Yoga Trail) as well as hikes into the Keutschach lake valley are particularly recommended.

The ascent to the Pyramidenkogel is one of the classics when hiking at Lake Wörthersee and offers impressive views. From Giulia Slow Residence, the observation tower can easily be reached on hiking trails. Once on the mountain, in addition to the tower, there is also a large playground, a restaurant, and a 100-meter flying fox zip line.

For challenging hikes near Lake Wörthersee, the peaks of the Karawanken as well as a tour to the Mittagskogel are recommended. The Mittagskogel (2,145 m) is probably the most distinctive peak in Carinthia. The ascent leads through partly difficult terrain; the tour covers over 1,500 meters of elevation gain. In the Karawanken, the Hochstuhl (2,236 m), the Ferlacher Horn (1,840 m), and the Koschuta wall are considered particularly appealing for ambitious mountain enthusiasts.

Hiking at Lake Wörthersee is also well suited for beginners and families. Lakeside paths and easy tours with few elevation meters offer beautiful views. Many routes are well maintained and easy to walk. The four Slow Trails of the region (Swing Trail, Römerschlucht, Brahms Trail, and Yoga Trail), ranging from 3 to 6.8 kilometers, are particularly suitable.

In addition to the Pyramidenkogel, it is worth ascending to the Hohes Kreuz viewpoint near Velden and the Hohe Gloriette above Pörtschach. The Dobratsch near Villach also offers spectacular views. Those who conquer the Kathreinkogel near Schiefling between June and September can also visit the House of Archaeology. The hike starts directly at Giulia Slow Residence.

Hiking at Lake Wörthersee is easily possible without a car. Many starting points can be reached by boat, bus, or train. This makes individual tours particularly flexible. From Giulia Slow Residence, you can hike to the Pyramidenkogel and Kathreinkogel, among others, or join the Lake Wörthersee Circular Trail.