Route and landscape

If you are considering Goritschach for a stay combining nature and culture, you can focus on the route, a birdwatching tour, or the Urchkreuz. The “Rail & Trail – Slow Trail – Via Wernberg Monastery through the Drau Loop” route follows Goritschacher Straße and Margarethenweg through Goritschach to Goritschach Primary School. From there, it continues along forest and field paths and farm roads to Wernberg Monastery. The return follows the Wernberg Drau Loop and the Drau River to Wernberg adventure pool. The route can therefore be divided into three sections: through the village, onward to the monastery, and back along the Drau.

The surfaces are also broken down in detail: 30.46% of the route is asphalt, 25.57% gravel paths, 12.94% natural paths, and 17.99% trails. Another 6.72% consists of roads, while 6.29% is made up of unknown sections. Asphalt and gravel paths are therefore the largest individually listed surface types. This breakdown complements the route description with a clear picture of the different surfaces along the way.

Birdwatching at the Wernberg Drau Loop

The route leads to the Wernberg Drau Loop, where around 130 bird species have been recorded to date. In 2026, the municipality of Wernberg is offering three-hour “Bird Watching” tours there. For a nature-focused stay, this is a clearly defined activity: the number of species gives you an impression of the birdlife at the Drau Loop, while the three-hour tour provides a specific time frame. If you plan to join a tour, check the dates in the municipality’s current listings.

Wernberg Monastery and the Urchkreuz

The route to the monastery also has a historical connection. The route leads from Goritschach Primary School to Wernberg Monastery; the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood acquired the property in 1935. This date places the monastery within a specific historical context, while the route connects it with Goritschach.

The Urchkreuz is a cultural landmark in its own right in the village. It stands by Gasthof Eder, at the corner of Goritschacher Straße and Sichelweg. Its semicircular rear wall, broad gabled roof, and wooden crucifix define its appearance. These architectural features make the cross a distinct counterpoint to the longer route: here, the focus is on a single monument and its form, while the route traces a sequence of village streets, paths, and landscapes.

Plan your stay and connections

These interests offer different starting points for planning your day, without requiring you to combine every stop into a single outing. Bus route 333 connects Goritschach with Föderlach, Wernberg, and Villach. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before your trip. This will help you weigh up your choice of location and planned activities based on specific connections.

Discover more destinations: Treffen Am Ossiacher See, Fresach, Pölling, Afritz, Gschriet, Bad Bleiberg, Stockenboi, Sankt Magdalen

Back to the main travel overview: Villach.