Plöcken brings together Roman history, memorial sites and geology, with a clear focus on mountain activities. Plöcken, the surrounding mountains and the Angerbachtal form a compact recreation area for hikers and climbers. When planning a stay, it is worth first deciding which interests you want to focus on: will you spend most of your time at historical sites, on a hike or at Cellon? If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Plöcken, you can use that focus as a starting point for planning each day, rather than trying to squeeze every theme into a single itinerary.
Roman History and Remembrance
Plöcken was developed more than 2,000 years ago. The Romans built the Via Iulia Augusta there as a direct route from Aquileia to the north. The history of the area therefore extends beyond its more recent memorial sites: the Roman road represents an early transport link, while the chapel, memorial ceremony and open-air museum address other historical themes.
The open-air museum of the Mountain War preserves historic defensive positions and also serves as a memorial against war. The sector at Kleiner Pal includes numerous restored Austro-Hungarian and Italian positions. The two national affiliations make it possible to view the history of the positions from multiple perspectives; the site’s role as a memorial also draws attention to remembrance and opposition to war.
The memorial chapel at Plöcken Pass was consecrated on 29 June 1929. The Plöcken memorial ceremony is held annually at the end of August; the exact date may vary. If attending the ceremony is important to your trip, check the specific date before finalising your stay.
Hiking, the Themed Trail and Cellon
The themed trail at Plöcken Pass covers Alpine history, the First World War and local geology. It brings together different perspectives that can also help you decide what to focus on during your stay: history and natural history are not separate here, but are both part of what Plöcken has to offer.
On the hike to Kleiner Pal, the ascent follows the Landsturmweg, while the descent takes the MG-Nase route. This distinction is useful when planning the hike: the ascent and descent routes are named and can be planned in that order.
Cellon is a meeting point for two different areas of interest. The avalanche gully reveals rock formations from the Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian periods along a stretch of about 60 metres. The historic underground via ferrata at Cellon is 180 metres long and has an elevation difference of 117 metres. These figures describe two different measurements of the route. A via ferrata set, a headlamp and a helmet are strongly recommended for the route. Check the technical conditions before setting out.
Planning Your Journey to Kleiner Pal
For the hike to Kleiner Pal, you can travel by train to Oberdrauburg from Lienz or Villach; alternatively, you can travel from Villach to Hermagor. A bus runs from Oberdrauburg or Hermagor to Kötschach-Mauthen. From there, depending on the season and availability, you can take an on-call bus or a taxi to Plöcken Pass or the Plöckenhaus. Check timetables and the season- and availability-dependent options for this final leg before travelling. This lets you include the journey in your hike planning while keeping track of the different modes of transport and connections.
For the wider travel overview: Kötschach-Mauthen.
