Long-distance hiking trails Austria Travelling along the Alpe-Adria-Trail, the Nockberge-Trail and the Via Paradiso

Hikers are rewarded with their first views of Lake Millstätter See on the ascent to the Hühnersberg near Lendorf (stage 10). There is time to explore the artists' town of Gmünd before long-distance hikers finally leave the world of the 3000 metre peaks behind them (stage 11) and continue their tour across the gentle Nockberge mountains. After an evening on one of the lakeside terraces in Seeboden am M. S. and a morning dip in the lake water, which is up to 27°C warm, Lake Millstätter See is a constant companion on the following stages 12 and 13. The highlight of stage 13 is probably the mighty Garnet Gate. The passageway, whose pillars are filled with tonnes of garnet rock, offers views from Lake Millstätter See to the Grossglockner.

A final lake view can be caught in Döbriach before stage 14 takes hikers through the Langalm valley over the peaks of the Predigerstuhl (2,170 m), the Pfannnock (2,254 m) and the Mallnock (2,226 m) to the Falkerthaus and the Lärchenhütte. The next day, stage 15 leads the way to Bad Kleinkirchheim, an ideal place to spend a relaxing day at the thermal spa. Hikers leave the Millstätter See - Bad Kleinkirchheim - Nockberge region via stage 16, which leads over the last foothills of the Nockberge to Arriach. 

In May, the snow recedes from the slopes of the Nockberge mountains and the whistling of the marmots heralds the approach of the hiking summer. The first long-distance hikers share the landscape with cows, horses and sheep arriving on the high alpine pastures. A large number of grazing animals enjoy their summer holiday here, helping to preserve the centuries-old cultural landscape. The melodies of cowbells and the warning calls of marmots and nutcrackers remain the only accompanying sounds on this trail. You should allow between three and seven hours for each stage.

Stop for refreshments with the Alpine dairymen and spend the night in cosy huts or occasionally in a comfortable hotel, such as in Bad Kleinkirchheim, the destination of the fifth stage. Here, it is also worth taking a dip in the soothing thermal water that fills the pools of the two thermal spas. Speaking of soothing: you will also find soothing things along the edges of the Nockberge-Trail. The ‘Speik’, a small, strongly scented medicinal plant, thrives magnificently here. However, the Speik should be packed in your rucksack in the form of foot balm or deodorant, as the delicate plant is strictly protected.

The hikers who leave Bad Kleinkirchheim behind still have three stages of the Nockberge-Trail ahead of them. The last few days are challenging, but the breathtaking views reward the effort. At the finish of the seventh stage, the Millstätter Alpe, a panoramic view of the Hohe Tauern, the Mirnock and Lake Millstätter See opens up before the final section heads downhill. This impressive hike through the Nockberge mountains ends in Seeboden on Lake Millstätter See. 

A picnic in one of the hammocks or on a sunny plateau can also be unforgettable, as the silence on the south side of the lake (stage 3) is a gift for the senses. People who recognise beauty in detail are privileged. For them, the scent of treetops touched by the sun is distinctly different from the shady paths of the forest.

The four-day hike is as varied as the stages are different - from baroque villas, lush farm gardens, historic sites and castle ruins to a morning dip in water that is up to 27 degrees. Pausing at carefully staged viewpoints, even if only for brief moments, acts like a reliable reset button for the soul.