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Finsterbach Waterfalls Circuit

· 1 review · Hiking route · Region Villach · Open
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  • Finsterbach Wasserfälle
    Finsterbach Wasserfälle
    Photo: Martin Hofmann, Region Villach - Faaker See - Ossiacher See
Karin Braun
on the June 17, 2022

Karin rated this “good“

All reviews
A beautiful hike that passes all of the picturesque Finsterbach waterfalls.  
Open
moderate
Distance 3.8 km
2:00 h
316 m
316 m
780 m
517 m
The waterfall hike takes you into the Finsterbach canyon past three waterfalls, all over 20 meters tall.  

Author’s recommendation

The waterfalls are ideal to visit after a period of  abundant  rain.  You must be extra cautious about slipping in these conditions, however the waterfalls will be at their absolute best.  You may also be lucky enough to find a few salamanders and see several rainbows surrounding the waterfalls!
Profile picture of Region Villach
Author
Region Villach
Update: March 31, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
780 m
Lowest point
517 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 4.72%Forested/wild trail 16.36%Path 72.55%Road 5.85%Unknown 0.51%
Asphalt
0.2 km
Forested/wild trail
0.6 km
Path
2.7 km
Road
0.2 km
Unknown
0 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

 Gorge and gorges are - despite the possible proximity to municipal road networks - to the alpine areas and mountaineering with corresponding alpine dangers. These dangers include:

  • self-initiated or externally triggered rockfalls and dangers common in the forest, especially after severe weather events (heavy rain, wind and snow break, branch shedding, etc.) despite annual controls
  • danger of falling off the signposted paths or improper use of the infrastructure (bridges)
  • danger of slipping in wet conditions and icing
  • through fog

In spite of the annual infrastructural and organizational measures, appropriate equipment (see equipment recommendation) and an open eye for objective dangers must be observed.

Please stay on the signposted path!

Parents are responsible for their children!

Tips and hints

 Region Villach Tourism

 +43 4242 42000

 www.visitvillach.at/en

 

Start

Sattendorf Tourist Information Center (517 m)
Coordinates:
DD
46.663453, 13.915697
DMS
46°39'48.4"N 13°54'56.5"E
UTM
33T 417049 5168336
w3w 
///merger.adjudicate.stat

Destination

Sattendorf Tourist Information Center

Turn-by-turn directions

The hike begins at the Sattendorf Tourist Information Center.  From here you cross the main road and follow Dorfstrasse until you reach “Wasserfallweg,” where you turn to the north and begin a light ascent to the Finsterbach mines.  Here you will find the first waterfall.  After snapping a few photos, you begin a curvier section of the hike by following the stream on the left side.  You will reach the second waterfall in only a few minutes! In order to get to the third waterfall you have to get back to the main path. You hike upwards on the main path until you reach a fork, where you follow the signs to “3. Wasserfall.”  This takes you into the Finsterbach gorge, where you will subsequently cross a series of small bridges over the creek and reach the foot of the waterfall.  After enjoying the biggest waterfall of the hike, you follow the signs to path number 2.  This path will be a light descent to the northwest, and you must stay on the path through two more forks.  Eventually you will begin walking on a newly-built forest road.  After another ascent you will reach a picturesque rest area where you can take a break.  After lingering for a while, you take the path back to the first fork in the road after the third waterfall.  From there you follow path number 34 back to Sattendorf- with plenty of signs leading you in the right direction.  

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

You take the ÖBB train until the Sattendorf train station.  You can reach the Sattendorf city center by foot in a few minutes, where you begin the hike at the elementary school/police station.      

Click here for timetable information.

Click here for the Carinthia train station shuttle.

By road

From villach you take the Ossiacher See highway (B94) until Sattendorf, where you turn left onto Dorfstrasse.  You stay on Dorfstrasse until reaching the Sattendorf elementary school (Volksschule), which will be on your left side.

 

Coming from Feldkirchen/Steindorf, you take the Ossiacher See highway (B94) until Sattendorf, where you take a right onto Dorfstrasse.  You stay on Dorfstrasse until reaching the Sattendorf elementary school (Volksschule), which will be on your left side.

Parking

There is public parking at the elementary school, across from the police station.

Coordinates

DD
46.663453, 13.915697
DMS
46°39'48.4"N 13°54'56.5"E
UTM
33T 417049 5168336
w3w 
///merger.adjudicate.stat
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

Kompass Nr. 062 - Ossiacher See-Feldkirchen in Kärnten (M1:25000)

Equipment

Trekking shoes with treaded soles, backpack, rainwear, hiking sticks, drinks, maps, first aid, mobile phone

Questions and answers

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Rating

4.0
(1)
Profile picture of Karin Braun
Karin Braun 
June 17, 2022 · Community
1 comment

Photos from others

Status
Open
Reviews
1
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
3.8 km
Duration
2:00 h
Ascent
316 m
Descent
316 m
Highest point
780 m
Lowest point
517 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Scenic Refreshment stops available Geological highlights

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