One week at Kaufhaus Wiedenig: the perfect 7-day plan in Hermagor
Seven days in Hermagor – how do you fill them? We've put together a relaxed but varied weekly plan that takes you from the Garnitzenklamm gorge to the Kühnburg castle ruin, with plenty of time for lake days in between. Everything starts from the Kaufhaus Wiedenig in Möderndorf; many highlights are reachable on foot or by bike.
Think of this as inspiration, not a fixed schedule. Rainy day? Swap a lake day for a town day. Found a favourite hike? Repeat it. That's the point of a holiday.
Day 1: Garnitzenklamm – arrive and step right outside
The perfect first day: the Garnitzenklamm gorge starts just five minutes' walk from the apartment. After a morning arrival, an afternoon walk into the gorge is the ideal welcome. A one-hour mini walk for the entrance section or the full hike if you're up for the climb.
- What to bring: sturdy shoes, a light jacket (the gorge is noticeably cooler), water bottle.
- Tip: Late morning the sun falls vertically into the gorge – perfect for photos.
- Eat: The inn at the gorge entrance in Möderndorf is a relaxed way to finish.
Day 2: A day at lake Pressegger See
Day 2 belongs to Carinthia's warmest bathing lake. Pressegger See is 10 minutes away by car or about 15 by bike. Drinking-water quality, up to 28 °C in high summer – a classic family beach day, with lawns, beach volleyball, pedal boats, kids' area and SUP rental.
- Slow Trail: 6 km around the lake, ideal walk or ride before or after the swim.
- Buschenschank: Several traditional Carinthian taverns directly at the shore.
- Tip: For peace and quiet, head to the eastern shore – less busy, more nature.
More about lake Pressegger See
Day 3: Summer toboggan run at Nassfeld – start early!
Today head up to the Madritsche: Carinthia's longest summer toboggan run, 2 km long with 400 m of descent. Huge fun for kids from about age 6 and any adult who enjoys speed.
Insider tip: Take the very first gondola of the morning. The queue at the toboggan is short, you can ride several times, and then spend the rest of the day at the top – restaurants, sun terraces, kids' adventure trails and short walks all wait at altitude.
- Getting there: 15 minutes by car to the Tröpolach base station.
- Tickets: The summer card includes gondola plus several toboggan rides. Family day tickets are great value.
- Walk up top: Wulfenia promenade with the rare ice-age flower.
- Lunch: Watschiger Alm or any of the mountain restaurants.
Day 4: Lake Weissensee – a day at the cleanest lake in the Alps
A must: lake Weissensee, just 25 minutes away by car. With turquoise, motorboat-free water, it has a different feel from lake Pressegger See – quieter, clearer, more alpine. The perfect slow day with a book and a swim towel.
- Swimming: Several small lakeside beaches and quiet bays on the eastern shore.
- Active: Stand-up paddling, rowing boats, hiking trails around the lake.
- Local tip: Take the solar-powered boat tour across the lake – silent, scenic, with mountain views.
- Eat: Several inns directly on the shore with classic Carinthian food.
Day 5: Egger Alm, Dellacher Alm & Poludnig – the big mountain day
Today, up into the Carnic Alps. Drive the toll forest road up to Egger Alm (ca. 1,430 m) – the starting point for one of the region's best multi-peak hikes.
The classic tour goes from Egger Alm via Poludnig (2,000 m), Carinthia's beloved viewing peak in the upper Gail valley. From the summit you see the entire Gail valley, the Carnic main ridge, and on a clear day even the Adriatic. Return either the same way or via Dellacher Alm – a beautiful loop with a hut break on the way.
- Duration: ca. 4–5 hours for the Egger Alm – Poludnig – Dellacher Alm loop
- Elevation gain: ca. 600 m
- Difficulty: Moderate – decent fitness, sturdy shoes needed
- Huts: Egger Alm (own cheese dairy!) and Dellacher Alm
- Season: mid-June to end of September
More about the alpine huts in the Gail valley
Day 6: Naturbad Radnig – a local secret
After yesterday's mountain day, a quiet water day. The Naturbad Radnig is a small, charming natural pool just a few minutes by car from Möderndorf. Clear spring water, a wide lawn, shaded spots, a small restaurant – ideal for families with small children and anyone who prefers it calmer than Pressegger See.
- Water: Natural, cool, crystal-clear – perfect for hot summer days.
- Families: Dedicated kids' area, gentle entry.
- Season: mid-June to early September (weather-dependent).
Day 7: Kühnburg castle ruin & one last dip in the lake
Finish with a relaxed half-day hike steeped in history: the Kühnburg castle ruin sits on a hill above Hermagor with a beautiful view down the Gail valley. The climb is family-friendly, well marked and leads through open mixed forest.
- Duration: ca. 2–3 hours total (up + walk-around + down)
- Elevation gain: ca. 250 m
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, good with kids
- Highlight: The 12th-century castle walls and the view across Hermagor and the Carnic Alps
In the afternoon, one last swim in Pressegger See: late-summer atmosphere, the last sun rays, an ice cream at the strandbad or a Schwenkbraten at a Buschenschank. The week ends the way it began – outdoors, slow, with the comfort of a modern apartment waiting back home.
What you need for the week
- Car: Recommended. A lot is reachable on foot or by bike, but a car makes Weissensee, the alpine huts and the toboggan run much easier.
- Hiking boots: Essential for Day 5 and Day 7. Trainers are fine the other days.
- Swimwear: Always with you – even a "mountain day" sometimes ends at the lake.
- Cash: Alpine huts often only take cash.
- Weather: Summer thunderstorms often roll in in the afternoon – start early, head back early.
Family variant with younger kids
If you're travelling with children under 8, swap the demanding days:
- Day 5 (Poludnig) becomes an easier hike, e.g. to Tressdorfer Alm.
- Day 7 (Kühnburg) becomes a playground day at Strandbad Hermagor.
- The Day 3 toboggan run is doable from about age 6 with an adult.
Plan B for rainy days
Three options if it rains:
- Aqua Trolls Nassfeld – adventure pool with sauna, perfect for families.
- Tarvis (Italy) – Saturday market, outlet centre, Italian food.
- Klagenfurt & lake Wörthersee – town walk, Minimundus park, ice cream.
Ready for a week of Carinthia?
From the Kaufhaus Wiedenig in Möderndorf you experience all of this – in a modern holiday apartment for up to 6 people with a large garden.
See the apartmentVerdict
A week in Hermagor is much more than just skiing or swimming. Work through the plan above and you'll have mountain, lake, gorge, castle, alpine hut and whitewater region all in one – and at the end of the week the satisfying feeling of having really got to know a place.
More tips for your stay: The best day trips · Alpine huts in the Gail valley · Rafting on the Gail · Garnitzenklamm guide