Ferndorf offers several ways to experience its landscape during a stay: Most of the municipality lies in the Nock Mountains (Mirnock-Verditz), and it also includes parts of the lower Drau Valley and the southeastern bay of Lake Millstatt. This gives you various starting points for planning your trip: trails on the Mirnock, views of the lake and activities on the water. Even within these themes, the options vary by type of route and season. The following local and route references can help you choose a focus for your stay.
Trails on the Mirnock and in the municipality
The Slow Trail Mirnock runs through the forest and features viewing platforms overlooking Lake Millstatt. The Via Paradiso is a 55-kilometre long-distance hiking trail with four stages. Stage 4 lets you explore Ferndorf and the high plateau by bike or on foot. The Sternentrail descends by bike to the shore of Lake Millstatt. There is also a Kneipp circular trail on the Mirnock in the Gschriet-Glanz area.
The routes offer different ways to find your bearings: The Via Paradiso is defined by its overall length and stages; Stage 4 is the one named for Ferndorf and the high plateau. The Sternentrail is characterised by its downhill direction and the lake shore as its endpoint. The Slow Trail, in turn, focuses on the forest and views. This lets you choose routes according to their described character rather than treating them as alike.
Star Balcony and picnic
The Star Balcony on the Mirnock in Ferndorf by Lake Millstatt is a spot where it feels as though you are floating between mountain and lake. The two Mirnock locations offer different ways to enjoy views of the lake: The Slow Trail leads through the forest to viewing platforms, while the Star Balcony is defined by the sensation of being between mountain and lake.
From May to October, the Mirnock farmers put together a picnic basket for visitors to take on a walk to the Star Balcony. This period makes the offer a specific seasonal option to consider when planning an excursion. The Mirnock farmers also produce cheese and bacon. Thus, the themes described around the Mirnock include both a seasonal picnic offer and local cheese and bacon production.
The lake and the seasons
Ferndorf has its own lido on Lake Millstatt. If you want to include the lake in your plans, you can choose among several ways to enjoy it: viewing platforms with lake views, the shore as the Sternentrail’s destination, and the lido as a facility belonging to the municipality. Views, a cycling route and the lido each offer a different focus.
Seasonal activities also differ in specific ways. From May to October, the Mirnock farmers prepare the picnic basket for the walk to the Star Balcony. When there is snow, snow-covered alpine paths and mountain meadows are turned into scenic toboggan runs. When planning, it is therefore important to consider whether your stay falls within the stated period for the picnic offer, or whether snow provides the conditions for the described tobogganing options.
Churches and historic preservation
The protected churches are also specific local landmarks for travellers interested in culture. The Catholic branch church of St. James in Ferndorf is protected as a historic monument by ordinance. The same applies to the Catholic parish church of St. Paul and the cemetery in Ferndorf. The different designations highlight the roles of two churches; in the second protected site, the cemetery is also explicitly included.
The selection in Ferndorf thus brings together walking and cycling trails, views on the Mirnock, links to Lake Millstatt, seasonal activities and protected historic sites.
Discover more destinations: Stuben, Hohenthurn, Laastadt, Kerschdorf, Faak Am See, Landskron, Töplitsch, St. Egyden
Go to the overarching travel overview: Villach.
