Gschriet at Mirnock offers hiking routes of different lengths: the Slow Trail Mirnock is 3.1 kilometres long and takes about an hour; the Via Paradiso comprises four stages and around 55 kilometres. The Kneipp Mirnock Panorama circular trail also passes through Gschriet. These differences can help you gauge the time required for hiking and decide what to focus on during your stay—from a shorter outing to a longer hike spanning several stages.
Slow Trail or Via Paradiso?
The Slow Trail Mirnock leads from the Alpengasthof Bergfried to the Bergfried HĂĽtte. Along the way, splendid flower meadows alternate with shady patches of forest. With a walking time of around an hour, this hike can be planned as a standalone outing with a clearly defined duration. It is 3.1 kilometres long.
The Via Paradiso follows a different route: it leads from Döbriach along the southern shore to the Star Balcony in Gschriet, in the municipality of Ferndorf. The full route is listed as four stages and around 55 kilometres. So rather than individual walks, this route centres on a hike covering several stages. The Star Balcony is also a distinctive destination along the trail.
There are designated parking areas in the Gschriet area for starting individual stages of the Via Paradiso. Parking regulations may change, so check the information for the relevant stage before you travel. You should also check local trail conditions before setting out.
Kneipp circular trail, farms and plants
The Kneipp Mirnock Panorama circular trail starts in Gschriet and passes through Gschriet and Glanz, through dense forests and across sunny meadows. Numerous mountain farms run by the Mirnock farmers lie along this route. The changing landscapes of forest and meadow, as well as the farms along the way, shape the character of the hike.
There are hand and foot-wading basins along the Kneipp Panorama circular trail. Since 2021, one of the seven yoga platforms has been located at Renates Einkehr on the Kneipp Mirnock Panorama circular trail. The trails therefore offer different points of interest: a connection to Kneipp, a succession of landscape views and a place to practise yoga along the route.
The herb garden at Spielerhof offers another way to take a closer look at plants. Visitors can see and smell medicinal plants there. This visit offers a different focus from the trails through forests and meadows: the garden centres on individual plants and their scents.
Star Balcony with a view of Lake Millstatt
The Star Balcony is located on Mirnock, in the Gschriet-Glanz area of Ferndorf. From there, you get the impression of floating between the mountain and the lake; at the end of the Via Paradiso, the view extends to Lake Millstatt. The viewpoint and hiking destination come together here: the Star Balcony is a described location in Gschriet and also the endpoint of the approximately 55-kilometre Via Paradiso route.
When planning your trip, it is worth considering the two hiking options separately. For the Slow Trail, 3.1 kilometres and about an hour’s walking time provide a compact timeframe. For the Via Paradiso, the key figures are four stages and around 55 kilometres; in the Gschriet area, designated parking areas can help you start individual stages. Check the information for the relevant stages and the trail conditions before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Gummern, Weißenstein, Glanz, Verditz, Gerlitzen, Drobollach am Faaker See, Nötsch im Gailtal, Duel
For the main travel overview: Villach.
