ST19 AAT: Gerlitzen Alpe - Ossiach

Stift Ossiach

Our starting point is close to the Feuerberg Mountain Resort, approximately 250 metres south of the car park. We set off on the Gerlitzen Summit Trail no. 4, which right from the start leads us along the north east ridge of the Gerlitzen on small footpaths through attractive spruce and larch forests. We can enjoy the view into the distance and the panoramic view of Lake Ossiacher See, which has accompanied us along the entire summit trail. After around 1.5 hours we reach the Wippenighöhe. From here we continue to follow the summit trail eastwards and after around 2 hours we reach Manessen, where we leave the Gerlitzen Summit Trail and follow trail no. 971. We now pass the Karawankenblick Hütte mountain lodge and follow a section of the access road, cross two small streams and at the next fork take the path signposted “Wasserfallweg Nr. 41”. We follow the course of the water into the valley and enjoy the rushing sound, the light playing on the surface and the freshness of the water. This section runs steeply down into the valley to Steindorf. Having arrived at the edge of the village, we head in the direction of the church, cross the main road and take the Dammweg trail along the eastern shore of the lake. On our left is the Bleistätter Moor, and on the right Lake Ossiacher See, whose shore here has been designated a nature conservation area. At the end of the Dammweg we cross the L 49 road and follow trail no. 1 along the edge of the village towards Alt-Ossiach. After approximately 2 km we again cross the L 49 and follow trail no. 1 towards the centre of Ossiach. We reach our destination, the garden in front of Ossiach Abbey by the Ossiach landing stage, after around 1.2 km.