From the Gurktal Alps in the north-west to the undulating foothills of Saualpe in the east, hikers and those seeking peace and quiet will find everything they could wish for: leisure walking paths suitable for families, challenging and adventurous trails, as well as old and new pilgrimage paths for contemplation. Specially marked themed routes also lead cyclists through the area and to the lake gems of Central Carinthia. Whether it is Längsee, Hörzendorfer See, Urbansee, Goggausee or Kraiger See – they all guarantee refreshing and crystal-clear water.

Central Carinthia has been dedicated for years to the renaissance of viticulture in the south of Austria. The picturesque hillside vineyards all around Lake Längsee are Carinthia’s largest wine-growing area and promise enjoyable moments even for discerning palates. In the Central Carinthia section of the Carinthian Lake Loop, the focus is on viticulture. Those coming from Klagenfurt pass the Maria Saal cathedral with the biggest bell in Carinthia and the ducal town St. Veit, always worth a visit with its picturesque old town. Along hillside vineyards, the route continues to the historical Taggenbrunn Castle, where the universal artist André Heller has created a memorial with his exhibition on the topic of “Time Spaces”. The wine tavern with a fabulous view as far as the Karawanken and Julian Alps invites you to stop in. The route continues through the village of St. Peter ob Taggenbrunn, where the Liegl-Warmuth family serves excellent products from their own farm at the “Liegl am Hiegl” inn – of 5-star cuisine. Längsee, Central Carinthia’s largest bathing lake, not only features a largely natural shoreline but also enables a refreshing dip with two idyllic lakeside beaches. Cyclists can also improve their handicap at the Jacques Lemans Golf Club St. Veit-Längsee on the shores of Längsee, where 18 holes await golf enthusiasts. The former Benedictine monastery Stift St. Georgen is also impressive as a Central Carinthian Escorial with its Mediterranean flair – especially at sunset.

The secret landmark of Carinthia that has never been conquered, Hochosterwitz Castle, is worth a visit on two wheels to enjoy the mediaeval atmosphere. From St. Veit, quiet side roads and rolling hills lead to Hörzendorfer See, featuring a wonderful terrace for a relaxing drink. In addition, Lake Maltschacher See is along the route, whose surroundings are also dominated by the topic of wine. Here you will be treated to culinary delights too: either you pop in at the Spiess family right by the lake or you can enjoy wine from their own production with a view of the sea of grapevines on the Trippelgut estate.