Hermagor: Winter Holidays between Nassfeld and Lake Pressegger See

More than 40 pistes: The Nassfeld ski area offers both sporty and family-friendly runs.

Special lake: Lake Pressegger See is the ninth-largest lake in Carinthia.

Protected habitat: Lake Pressegger See is located in a nature reserve with rare plants, twelve fish species, crayfish, as well as numerous birds and dragonflies.

Short circuit of the lake: The Slow Trail around Lake Pressegger See starts at the Hermagor lido and is around 6 kilometres long.

Cycling connection: The Gailtal Cycle Path runs directly past Lake Pressegger See, is 90 kilometres long in total and runs from Kötschach to Villach.

Location: Hermagor-Pressegger See is situated in the lower Gail Valley where the Gitschtal joins the Gail Valley, near the border with Italy.

Tour with variations: The Three Lakes Circuit leads from Lake Pressegger See via Lake Farchtensee and Lake Weissensee through the Gitschtal and back to Lake Pressegger See, and can be shortened at numerous points.

Winter choices between pistes and other experiences

Lake Pressegger See, reeds and warm water

Lake Pressegger See has a particularly strong influence on the character of the region. Thanks to the strong inflow from its two springs, its water is completely renewed every two weeks. In midsummer, the lake can reach a water temperature of up to 28 °C. Together with the protected surroundings, this creates a natural habitat for rare plants, fish, crayfish, birds and dragonflies.

The Fix & Foxi adventure playground “In the Realm of the Lake Witch” is also located by the lido. It is the starting point for a treasure hunt around Lake Pressegger See. This provides a playful way to explore the surroundings in addition to experiencing the lake.

The “Path through the Reeds” Slow Trail offers a different view of the shore. The path leads through a dense belt of reeds that allows only a narrow trail through. From the steep lakeside slope, particularly beautiful views open up of the characteristic peaks of the Carnic Alps and Nassfeld. The landscape can therefore be experienced not only as open water, but also through the reeds, slope and mountain scenery.

Hiking with a focus on nature and history

The Garnitzen Gorge Geotrail runs along emerald-green, rushing streams and past brightly coloured rock and stone formations. Those who want to combine geological features with regional history while hiking will find a dedicated themed trail in the Nassfeld Historical Mile. It leads from the national border to the Watschiger Alm and back via the sulphur spring. Along the way, the focus is on botanical and geological features as well as the history of the area, with an emphasis on the First World War. The Nassfeld Historical Mile is thus a themed trail exploring the history of the border region along the Carnic Main Ridge.

The Way of the Book also combines exercise with regional orientation. The 10th stage from Hermagor to Nötsch begins at the Protestant church in Hermagor. From Khünburg towards the Muttergottesfelsen, it follows a gently ascending forest road and offers beautiful views of Lake Pressegger See and the Carnic Alps. Another hike from Hermagor via Khünburg to Lake Pressegger See reaches Presseggersee in the area of the railway stop.

Cycling and flexible route planning

For longer cycling tours, the Gailtal Cycle Path R3a offers a family-friendly connecting variant of the Gailtal Cycle Path. Shortcuts are possible at numerous points on the Three Lakes Circuit; in some cases, the return journey can also be made by public transport. These variations are particularly relevant when a group has differing levels of stamina, daily goals or ideas about the amount of time available.

Another way to explore the region is the Lake Circuit. This culinary themed circular hiking trail leads from the centre of the town of Wulfenia over the hills around Hermagor to Lake Pressegger See. The route thus combines exercise with regional enjoyment without requiring the stay to focus exclusively on winter sports.

Culture, history and regional specialities

The Gailtal Local History Museum is housed in Möderndorf Castle near Hermagor. It comprises more than 5,000 artefacts from the Georg Essl collection. The exhibits range from palaeontology and archaeology to regional folk and everyday culture. A guided walk through Hermagor’s old town also conveys the history of the town and its surroundings over several centuries.

St. Urbani is another sacred site that forms part of the regional cultural landscape. The Gothic chapel dates from the early 16th century and stands on a rock rising steeply from the Garnitzen Gorge. The Historical Mile at Nassfeld offers another connection between landscape and history.

Regional flavours can be experienced at the Tressdorfer Alm show dairy. There, visitors can watch live as various cheeses and dairy products are made from fresh milk every day. The alpine dairy products include Gailtaler Almkäse PDO, Schotten, alpine butter, soft cheese and semi-hard cheese.

Excursion destinations for a variety of interests

The 1st Carinthian Adventure Park offers, among other things, Nautic Jet, Luna Loop, Sky Dive, a giant trampoline, Butterfly, Baggerland and a mini village. Together with the treasure hunt around Lake Pressegger See, this creates a range of activities that is not limited to a single sport. Nature, exercise, history, culinary experiences and family activities offer different focal points for planning a day in Hermagor.

Other places for orientation: Liesch, Podlanig in the Lesach Valley, Gitschtal, Waidegg, Sonnenalpe Nassfeld, Reisach, Schlanitzen, Birnbaum, Vorderberg, Forst, Dellach, Sankt Stefan an der Gail, Gundersheim, Weißbriach, Kirchbach, Tröpolach, Rattendorf, Maria Luggau, Kötschach-Mauthen, Jenig and Hermagor-Pressegger See.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Carinthia.