Hiking in Carinthia, Austria – Best Spots & Local Tips

Carinthia’s hiking landscape is incredibly diverse, thanks to its mix of alpine terrain, high pastures, forest trails, and lakeside routes. One of the most iconic areas is Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria’s largest protected natural area. Here you’ll find well-marked trails leading through high valleys, along glacial streams, and up to viewpoints over the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak. Popular hikes include the Großglockner Panorama Trail, Gamsgrubenweg, and routes around Heiligenblut.\n\nCloser to the heart of Carinthia, the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve offers a unique hiking experience through rounded, grass-covered mountains and blooming alpine meadows. Trails like the Alpe-Adria-Trail, which stretches from Austria to Slovenia and Italy, pass directly through this area and provide long-distance hikers with well-serviced multi-day trekking options.\n\nFor lakeside hiking, Lake Wörthersee, Millstätter See, and Weissensee each offer accessible and scenic trails with a mix of shaded forest paths, quiet coves, and panoramic lookouts. The Wörthersee Circular Trail is particularly popular for its combination of nature and proximity to charming villages like Velden and Pörtschach.\n\nThe Carnic Alps in the south, along the Italian border, offer remote mountain routes with stunning views, peaceful alpine huts, and access to historic trails like the Karnischer Höhenweg (Carnic High Trail), known for its World War I heritage and ridge-hiking challenges. This area is great for experienced hikers looking to escape the crowds and enjoy authentic alpine solitude.\n\nCarinthia’s moderate elevation and warm summers make it one of Austria’s most pleasant hiking regions from late May to October. Many trails are family-friendly, and local infrastructure includes mountain huts, gondolas, and well-signed paths. Whether you’re looking for a gentle half-day walk or a hut-to-hut alpine trek, Carinthia combines Austrian hiking quality with a relaxed southern flair.

Top Ways to Find Certified Guides in Carinthia for hiking:\n\n– Crion.org to book local mountain guides and hiking experiences across Hohe Tauern, Nockberge, and the Carnic Alps\n– Regional tourism offices in Heiligenblut, Bad Kleinkirchheim, and Weissensee offering referrals to licensed guides\n– Certified Austrian hiking and nature guides available through local associations and alpine clubs (Alpenverein)\n– Hotels and alpine guesthouses partnering with local experts for guided day hikes and themed tours\n– Hiking schools and tour operators based in Spittal, Villach, and Klagenfurt providing group and custom hiking trips

Best Places to Rent & Buy Hiking Equipment in Carinthia:– Outdoor retailers in Klagenfurt, Villach, and Spittal stocking hiking boots, poles, backpacks, and clothing– Mountain huts and cable car stations near major trails offering maps, trekking gear, and emergency supplies– Sports stores in tourist resorts like Bad Kleinkirchheim and Heiligenblut for rental and purchase– Specialized hiking gear providers with online shops and delivery to accommodations– Tourist info centers and regional huts offering free maps and basic equipment tips