Leisure time

Vacation spot Villach/Lake Faak, Austria

What the surrounding area has to offer...

Even in the winter months, the Villach – Lake Faak – Bad Bleiberg region abounds with numerous visitor activities. The Dobratsch nature park attracts walking enthusiasts, cross-country skiers and ski touring aficionados. The numerous Christmas markets in the surrounding area are a worthwhile experience for both young and old.

Only 30 minutes away, the Villach Alpine Road is one of the most beautiful scenic roads of Austria and leads 1,732 metres up to the Dobratsch. The summit at 2,167 metres must be ascended on foot or on touring skis. It offers the most magnificent view of the Carnic Alps with the Gail Valley, the Karawanks and Carinthian lakes below, including Lake Ossiach, Lake Faak and Lake Wörth.

The 6-km-long Bleiberg cross-country ski run is always prepared in good snow conditions and offers an easy route for classic cross-country skiing.

The Bleiberg high valley is home to the famous exhibition mine “Terra Mystica”. The journey down into the legendary, mysterious world of underground wonders begins with a mining slide that is 68 metres long and leads right into the mining world of the past.

Excursion
Motorcycle
Alpe-Adria

Nötscher Kreis art movement

Museum

Down-to-earth art is on display at the Museum des Nötscher Kreises. Changing exhibitions showcase four of the most important Austrian artists of the 20th century, who shared Nötsch im Gailtal as the centre of their lives. The museum opened in May of 1998 and is dedicated to the life and work of the artists who influenced Austrian painting at the beginning of the 20th century.
www.noetscherkreis.at

Dobratsch nature park

Special experiences

As the ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts, hiking enthusiasts, Nordic walkers, cross-country skiers and nature lovers, the Dobratsch nature park on the panoramic road invites you to go for a winter walk through the flora of the Southern Alps. Do not miss the breathtaking view of Villach, Klagenfurt and the Julian Alps.
www.naturparkdobratsch.at

The mine

Terra Mystica

The mysterious museum TERRA MYSTICA in Bad Bleiberg makes for a wondrous setting to delve into the haunting past of bygone mining days. Start the tour with a miners' slide of old, then ride the mine railway through the tunnels for a fascinating underground journey that will take you back in time.
www.terra-mystica.at

The ruins of Landskron Castle

A trip to “Monkey Mountain” (Affenberg)

History meets animal entertainment in Landskron. In addition to experiencing the ruins, visitors can be dazzled by an eagle air show. A highlight is “Monkey Mountain” (Affenberg). 145 Japanese macaques await visitors of the guided tours through the enclosure.
www.burg-landskron.at

Cruising the Tri-Border Area on Motorcycle

Biker’s paradise

The Health Resort & Spa Bleibergerhof is located directly in the tri-border area of Austria, Italy and Slovenia. The 4* spa hotel is the ideal starting point for motorcyclists who love driving on winding mountain roads. The great hideaway location is not only an impressive argument for those seeking some peace and quiet, but lends the bike trails an air of undisturbed tranquillity. Discover extensive day tours, romantic panoramic routes and breathtaking lakeside roads in Austria, a biker’s paradise.

Ideas for your next motorcycle ride

Tour of Central Carinthia (356 kilometres)

Discover the heart of Carinthia. From Bad Bleiberg to Lake Ossiach, the route leads through the Gegendtal Valley to Arriach, the geographical centre of Carinthia. Then drive on to the Gurktaler Dome and the Hochosterwitz Castle to Flattnitz on the plateau of the Gurktal Alps from the Carinthian Gurktal to the Styrian Murtal and head back to Carinthia via Turracher Höhe. View the route

Tri-border tour (286 kilometres)

The Loibl Pass in the eastern Karawanks will take you to Bled in Slovenia. The way home leads through Bovec on the Soča river and over the Passo del Predil to Tarvisio, Italy. The drive on the Dobratsch via the Villach Alpine Road is the tour’s crowning finale. View the route

Nockberge national park (288 kilometres)

The Nockberge national park has captivated many a motorcyclist. The route takes you via the Kreuzberg Pass to Greifenburg and Spittal an der Drau and on to Lake Millstatt, culminating in one of Austria’s most beautiful mountain roads: the Nockalmstrasse. The tour ends on the east bank of Weißensee, a jewel of a lake. View the route

Villach (approx. 16 km)

Villach is the second-largest city in Carinthia and an important traffic junction for Austria and the Alps/Adria region. Villach has numerous sights that reflect the colourful history of the town. When walking through the narrow old streets and idyllic arcade courtyards, you can enjoy the beauty of the city and learn a lot about it. The “Atrio” on the outskirts of Villach is Carinthia’s largest shopping center.

Klagenfurt (approx. 56 km)

Klagenfurt is the southernmost regional capital of Austria and the historical, economic and cultural heart of the federal state of Carinthia. The historic passageways and courtyards today house modern boutiques, popular restaurants and bars as well as quaint beer gardens. The landmark of Klagenfurt is the lindwurm fountain on Neuer Platz. The “City Arkaden” shopping center is located in the vicinity of the pedestrian area on Heuplatz.

Tarvisio, Italy (approx. 33 km)

Tarvisio, with its 4,273 inhabitants, is the first city after crossing the border of Italy into the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the province of Udine. Thanks to its special situation on the border, it is a point of intersection of languages and cultures, where Italy, Slovenia and Austria truly do merge.

Monte Lussari, Italy (approx. 35 km)

A popular destination near Tarvisio is the Monte Lussari. With its cable car, it offers even inexperienced hikers the opportunity to become familiar with the beautiful countryside of the Julian Alps. In the winter months, Monte Lussari is a popular destination for ski tours.

Fusine Lakes, Italy (approx. 38 km)

The lakes of Fusine near Tarvisio, which are connected to one another by a delightful path, are also absolutely worth seeing. The Fusine Lakes are the starting point for an easy hike to the Zacchi mountain hut, standing at an elevation of 1,383 m (open June–September).

Udine, Italy (approx. 126 km)

The city of Udine is located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in the northeast of Italy and is the second largest city in the region. Udine is only 20 kilometres away from the Slovenian border. It is the main city of the historic landscape of Friuli as well as the capital city of the province of Udine. Please take into account the special opening hours of shops there. In the morning, they are open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; in the afternoon, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Ljubljana, Slovenia (approx. 115 km)

Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is located on the Sava and Ljubljanica rivers in the Ljubljana basin. The market around the St. Nikolai Church that takes place every Saturday is especially attractive and well worth a visit. Once there, you shouldn’t miss out on the fish market that is somewhat hidden under the colonnade. Also on Saturdays, a flea market for art takes place on the banks of the Ljubljanica river.