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Long distance hiking from mountains to lakes – Nockberge Trail in the Eastern Alps
Hiking Collection by Nockberge
8
days
3-8 h
/ day
85.3 mi
20,675 ft
23,875 ft
The Nockberge Mountains’ history stretches back an incredible 60 million years, older than any other mountain range in the Eastern Alps. Their impressive age is reflected in the gentle hilltops (also called Nocken), rounded peaks and magnificent ridges. This gentleness and peace combined with the largely unspoiled nature is what makes the Nockberge Mountains so special. Conservationists began fighting to preserve this natural jewel in the 1970s. Thanks to them, you can walk through a protected UNESCO biosphere park today.
The Nockberge Trail takes you right through this hiking paradise in Carinthia in Austria. This high-altitude route leads from Katschberg to Millstätter See in eight stages and is packed full of wide views. Along the way, you collect countless peaks and cams as you hike from one magnificent vantage point to the next. You pass popular winter sports resorts such as Turracher Höhe or Bad Kleinkirchheim, which have a lot to offer in summer too.
The route goes up and downhill; over lush green alpine pastures, along ridges with magnificent panoramas, through shady pine forests and idyllic valleys. Along the 135-kilometre (83 mi) route, you can relax at refreshing lakes, wonderful benches and sunny mountain hut terraces. You won’t be able to resist the smell of Carinthian Kasnudeln cheese pasta or a freshly baked Reindling cake.
If you like technically moderate climbs without exposed passages and are up for a daily distance of up to 23 kilometres (14.2 mi), then the Nockberge Trail is an ideal long-distance hike for you.
The best way to reach the starting point on the Katschberghöhe is by car. The destination Seeboden is well connected to public buses. There’s also a train station nearby in Spittal an der Drau. You spend each night in cosy mountain huts or in places with a good selection of accommodation. Let yourself be enchanted by the sublime tranquility and scenic beauty of the Carinthian Nockberge Mountains.
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Last updated: April 13, 2023
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Tours
- 03:195.64 mi1.7 mph1,850 ft1,650 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Your eight-day long hike starts at the Aineck valley station on the Katschberghöhe. Here you are already at 1,600 meters, so you can enjoy a wonderful mountain world right from the start. From the valley station you follow the well-developed path 111, which takes you along the piste to the summit of…
by Nockberge
- 05:4910.3 mi1.8 mph2,450 ft2,950 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the second day of the Nockberge Trail, it starts slightly downhill from the Neue Bonner Hütte to a fork in the road. Here you keep left and follow the Nockberge Trail over the Ebenwaldhöhe. After you have crossed the small Plareitbach, you train your calves during the ascent up to the Laußnitzer hut…
by Nockberge
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- 08:0114.5 mi1.8 mph3,325 ft2,350 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This stage starts with a highlight: From the picturesque Innerkrems you hike through the beautiful Donnerschlucht gorge. Following the Kremsbach, the Nockberge Trail leads you over small wooden bridges and past waterfalls to the east. The Schluchtenweg ends at a road where you can take a detour to the…
by Nockberge
- 07:4212.5 mi1.6 mph3,775 ft3,500 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
With 20 kilometers and over 1,100 meters in altitude, the fourth stage really challenges your calves. After a night on the Turracher Höhe, your day starts with a wonderful view of the Turrachsee. From there you follow the Barbaraweg steadily uphill - initially through shady forest until you reach the…
by Nockberge
- 04:447.56 mi1.6 mph1,250 ft3,950 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The fifth stage begins in the magical mountain scenery on the shores of the Falkertsee. To start the day you can jump into the cool waters. Following a stream, you hike from the south bank past the Ochsenauge to the Falkertscharte. From there it is definitely worth taking a detour to the Falkert, one…
by Nockberge
- 05:549.70 mi1.6 mph4,175 ft2,200 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Bad Kleinkirchheim is the starting point for the sixth stage of the Nockberge Trail. At first you follow the St.-Oswald-Bach northwards until you turn left to Obertschern. Then the road becomes a small forest path that leads you steadily and sometimes quite steeply up the mountain. You cross a forest…
by Nockberge
- 07:4014.6 mi1.9 mph3,300 ft2,575 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
At a good 23 kilometers, this stage is the longest of the Nockberge Trail - it's best to load an extra portion on your plate at breakfast in the Erlacherhaus. It starts parallel to the Rossbach to the north. You cross the rippling water and follow the long-distance hiking trail to the Arkersattel, from…
by Nockberge
- 05:3310.5 mi1.9 mph525 ft4,675 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The last stage is already beginning, which has many highlights in store for you. From the Millstätter Hütte you follow the wide gravel path towards the Alexanderhütte, you will pass the water-spouting Nock dragon. In a dangling it goes to the Tschierwegernock. From the summit cross you can enjoy a wonderful…
by Nockberge
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance85.3 mi
- Duration48:42 h
- Elevation20,675 ft23,875 ft
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