Lake, hiking & mountain air
Carinthia's warmest bathing lake, over 1,000 km of hiking trails and a Mediterranean climate – welcome to summer paradise.
Swimming in drinking-water quality
Lake Pressegger See, just 10 minutes by car, is a small sensation: fed by underground springs and surrounded by a reed belt, it has drinking-water quality and warms up to 28 °C in summer. A 6 km slow trail leads around the shore – perfect for walking, jogging or cycling.
The Hermagor lakeside beach offers lawn areas, beach volleyball, pedal boats, a kids' pool, and several traditional restaurants. One of the most beautiful family destinations in all of Carinthia.
Over 1,000 km of hiking trails
The Nassfeld-Pressegger See region is a hiker's paradise. From gentle family walks along the Gail to demanding summit tours in the Carnic Alps – there's something for everyone. Especially scenic: the geo-trails through the Carnic Alps Geopark.
Our top picks: the Garnitzenklamm near Möderndorf, the Wulfenia promenade on Nassfeld (with the rare ice-age flower), and the Carnic Ridge Trail with views into three countries.
Read the Garnitzenklamm guideWhat you can experience in summer
Summer toboggan
Carinthia's longest summer toboggan run on the Madritsche – 2 km long, 400 m descent.
Mountain biking
Over 500 km of trails of all difficulty levels, plus the Carnic Ridge Trail and Nassfeld Bike Park.
Via ferratas
Spectacular climbing routes in the Garnitzenklamm and on Nassfeld – from beginner to expert.
Three countries
Day trips to Italy (Udine, Trieste) and Slovenia (Bled, Bohinj) are easily doable.
Lake Weissensee – 25 minutes to the cleanest lake in the Alps
A summer must: lake Weissensee, just 25 minutes by car. Its water quality is regularly certified as the cleanest in the Alps – a paradise for swimming, stand-up paddling and boating. Motorboats are banned, which keeps the lake still and crystal clear.
Several marked hiking trails wind around the lake through forests and alpine pastures, and quiet bays on the eastern shore offer swimming away from the crowds. If you prefer it calmer than lake Pressegger See, you'll love it here.
Rafting on the Gail – tour exit right in Möderndorf
The Gail is one of Austria's most beautiful whitewater rivers – and the best part: many rafting tours end directly in Möderndorf, just a few steps from the Kaufhaus Wiedenig. After your tour you can walk back to the apartment, take a shower and unwind on the terrace.
Depending on water levels, providers offer tours at different difficulty levels: easy-going family rafting (from about age 8), classic half-day tours with whitewater sections, and more demanding stretches for experienced rafters. All tours are guided by local instructors and full equipment (wetsuit, helmet, life jacket) is provided.
Season: May to September. Advance booking recommended.