ST06 AAT: Innerfragant - Mallnitz

At an altitude of around 1,200 metres we take a left turn off the asphalt road and follow the signposts for the “Staneralm”. Partly on a forest road and partly cutting off the bends via footpaths we ascend through the forest until finally, already close to the Staneralm, the view opens up across wide stretches of Carinthia as far as the Karawanken. The striking Mittagskogel can clearly be identified! Further stretches of the Alpe Adria Trail can at least be anticipated from here. With just a few minutes’ more effort we could reach the Bschellnighütte mountain lodge, which is open for part of the year. However, our route leads us downhill, past the old “Staner houses”, some of which have been modernised, as far as the Himmelbauer Alpine guesthouse, an inviting place to stop for a bite to eat. The view from the terrace is unparalleled!

From here, to conclude a fairly long stage, the crossing to Mallnitz awaits us. This firstly runs towards the village of Lassach, mostly descending slightly. If you want to spare yourself the final (minor) ascent to Mallnitz, you can opt for the bus here. Our route leads into the forest on the left-hand side (in terms of the ascent) and upwards along the road to Mallnitz, and finally through Alpine meadow landscape we reach the Rabisch district of Mallnitz. From here we hike almost on the flat through a carefully tended rural cultural landscape until we come right into the centre of the “mountaineers’ village” of Mallnitz.