A forest at night with phosphorescent lichens and mushrooms, and a crystal display of light and sound give the Mushroom & Puppet Museum in Winklern two very different themes. Three routes with their own courses and specified running and walking times also start at the museum. For planning a stay, the exhibitions, outdoor activity and a snack station directly opposite the museum are all practical starting points.

Mushroom models, crystals and a forest at night

Around 1,500 handmade mushroom models made from cement form one of the museum’s main attractions. Karl-Heinz Zindler created them over many years using dental instruments and French watercolours; the models represent around 250 mushroom species. Mushrooms from the four seasons are also shown in their corresponding animal and plant life. The materials, production methods and subjects offer several ways to explore the theme, from the craftsmanship behind the models to the place of mushrooms in the different seasons and in animal and plant life.

The museum also presents the world of crystals through a display of light and sound. A forest scene at night, with phosphorescent lichens and mushrooms, provides another striking feature. The displays use different elements: the crystal presentation incorporates light and sound, while the night forest features phosphorescent lichens and mushrooms.

Three routes starting at the Mushroom Museum

Route 1 starts at the Mushroom Museum and follows Buchholzer Straße, Drassmannweg, De La Tour Straße, Schauerbodenweg and Pöllingerstraße. It crosses the B98, runs along the Afritzer Bach for part of the way, and returns to the starting point over a wooden bridge.

From the Mushroom Museum, Route 2 follows Buchholzer Straße and Drassmannweg, then De La Tour Straße, Rainweg and Winklerner Straße back to the starting point. Route 3 follows Winklerner Straße, Bethausweg and Kraser Dorfstraße; its course also includes Volksschule Einöde. The return to the start is via the steep Lanaweg.

Route 1 is listed as taking about 60 minutes to run and 90 minutes to walk. Route 2 takes around 35 minutes to run and 45 minutes to walk; Route 3 is listed as taking about 25 minutes to run and also 45 minutes to walk. On foot, Route 1 is therefore the longest of the three, while the walking times for the other two are roughly the same. Check trail conditions locally.

A snack station opposite the museum entrance

The Steinhauser snack station is directly opposite the entrance to the Mushroom Museum in Winklern. It serves Carinthian specialities such as a Brettljause (a platter of cold cuts and cheese), cured sausages, open sandwiches with ham and cheese sandwiches. The menu may change, so check the current selection before your visit if needed.

The snack station is directly opposite the museum entrance, making it easy to plan the cultural visit, time on the routes and a meal break as separate parts of your day.

Discover more destinations: Arriach, Stockenboi, Hohenthurn, Paternion, Rosenbach, Zlan, Winkl, Ferndorf.

Back to the regional travel overview: Villach.