Excursion options range from landscapes and outdoor trails to winter sports and local traditions. Compare a hotel’s location with the places you plan to visit.
Landscapes and Trails
The Nockberge are characterised mainly by gently rounded grassy ridges at elevations between 1,500 and 2,400 metres. The Nockalm Road offers a different perspective on the landscape: this 34-kilometre panoramic road runs between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau, with 52 hairpin bends. The road is also home to the largest contiguous Swiss pine forest in the eastern Alps. The landscape and the road offer different highlights for planning: one focuses on the shapes of the grassy ridges, the other on a clearly defined route with numerous bends.
There are several specific places to start a walking excursion. The trail to the Heachling Cross can be reached from Saureggen or St. Lorenzen. On the Turracher Höhe, the Three Lakes Trail is 7.5 kilometres long; the described circular route includes a playground and direct access to the lake. From Turrach, you can ride the summer toboggan run down into the valley. The destinations therefore offer different experiences: a trail, a lakeside circular route and a toboggan ride are distinct options to choose from depending on your travel plans.
Experiences for Different Times of Year
The Heidi Alm brings several attractions together in one named location: the children’s adventure park includes a wooden playground, a giant slide and a treehouse. The Heidi Alm also features more than 100 figures and a marmot enclosure. If you plan this excursion, you can focus on the specific attractions; check seasonal opening details in advance.
On the Turracher Höhe, cross-country ski trails wind through snow-covered Swiss pine forests between Carinthia and Styria. The ski area there offers groomed slopes and modern cable cars for skiing and snowboarding. The operating period is stated as November to April; seasonal operations may vary. Cross-country skiing through snowy forest landscapes and downhill skiing offer different experiences. Check current season and operating dates before your trip.
Food and Customs
Along and around the Three Lakes Trail, innkeepers serve Carinthian or Styrian specialities, traditional cold platters, regional delicacies and Swiss pine schnapps. The Nockberge Biosphere Park’s partner products include agricultural and culinary goods such as dairy and meat products, bread and honey, as well as handicrafts made from Swiss pine wood. The selection combines regional cuisine with local products and crafts; individual producers and availability may vary. Inn opening days may also differ.
A set date in the customs calendar is 15 August: on this day, a pilgrimage travels from Ebene Reichenau to St. Anna Church in St. Lorenzen. Afterwards, a large outdoor traditional festival takes place in St. Lorenzen, featuring the longstanding tradition of wrestling. This combination of pilgrimage and subsequent festival gives a stay a clear cultural focus. If you are planning to attend, check event dates before your trip.
Practical Information
Timing is important when travelling by Nockmobil: a 2023 timetable lists the service on the Nockalm Road between Kremsbrücke and Ebene Reichenau–Falkertsee on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Check current operating days before travelling. When choosing a hotel in Hinterkoflach, it is best to compare the accommodation’s location with the specific places you plan to visit. This lets you prioritise landscapes, seasonal activities and culture according to your actual plans.
Discover more destinations: Alt-Ossiach, Hochrindl, Oberboden, Retschitz, Bodensdorf, Sankt Urban, Gnesau, Poitschach.
See the overview of the wider area: Feldkirchen.
