Hermagor: Discover the Lake, Mountains and Trails

Hermagor-Pressegger See is located in the lower Gail Valley where the Gitschtal Valley flows into the Gail Valley, close to the border with Italy. The Carnic Alps rise to the south and the Gailtal Alps to the north. In between lies a varied travel destination with a lake, nature, themed trails, cycling routes, regional history and culinary discoveries. When looking for a holiday apartment in Hermagor, the most important consideration is therefore which experiences you want to shape your trip.

Lake Pressegger See: natural environment and destination for activities

Lake Pressegger See is the ninth-largest lake in Carinthia and is located in a nature reserve. Rare plants, twelve species of fish, noble crayfish, as well as numerous birds and dragonflies give the lake a special ecological diversity. Its warm water is completely renewed every two weeks by the strong inflow from two springs; in midsummer, the water temperature can reach up to 28°C.

Those who want to discover the lake in different ways will find a large sunbathing lawn and a shallow pebble beach at the Hermagor lido. The approximately 6-kilometre-long Slow Trail around Lake Pressegger See also starts there. The “Path through the Reeds” Slow Trail leads through a dense reed belt that leaves room for only a narrow path. The steep shoreline offers particularly beautiful views of the characteristic peaks of the Carnic Alps and Nassfeld. The Fix & Foxi “In the Realm of the Lake Witch” adventure playground is also located by the lido and serves as the starting point for a treasure hunt around the lake. Families can use it to add a playful discovery element to a day out by the water.

Hiking and cycling with different focuses

For nature experiences with a geological focus, the Garnitzen Gorge Geotrail is an excellent choice. It runs along emerald-green, rushing streams and past colourful rock and stone formations. The Nassfeld Historical Mile combines physical activity with the history of the border region along the Carnic Main Ridge. The themed trail leads from the national border to Watschiger Alm and back via the sulphur spring. Along the way, it explores botanical and geological features as well as the history of the area, with a focus on the First World War.

There are also various options for cycling tours. The Gail Valley Cycle Path runs directly past Lake Pressegger See, is 90 kilometres long in total and leads from Kötschach to Villach. The family-friendly connecting route, Gailtalradweg R3a, complements this offer. The Three Lakes Circuit leads from Lake Pressegger See via Lake Farchtensee and Lake Weißensee through the Gitschtal Valley and back to Lake Pressegger See. Numerous points allow for a shortcut, and in some sections it is also possible to return by public transport. This makes the circuit interesting for travel plans in which you want to keep the daily distance flexible.

History, culture and regional specialities

Hermagor can also be discovered through its history. A guided walk through the old town presents the history of the city and its surroundings over several centuries. The Gailtal Heritage Museum is housed in Möderndorf Castle near Hermagor and comprises more than 5,000 artefacts from the Georg Essl collection. Its themes include palaeontology, archaeology, and regional folk and everyday culture. St. Urbani, a Gothic chapel from the early 16th century, stands on a rock rising steeply from the Garnitzen Gorge.

The Tressdorfer Alm show dairy is part of the regional side of the trip. Visitors can watch live as various cheeses and dairy products are made from fresh milk delivered daily. The alpine pasture products include Gailtaler Almkäse PDO, Schotten, alpine butter, soft cheese and semi-hard cheese. The Culinary Lake Circuit leads from the centre of the town of Wulfenia over the hills around Hermagor to Lake Pressegger See, combining the landscape with regional culinary ideas.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

When choosing your holiday apartment, it is worth first deciding on your preferred focus. For varied days featuring the lake, nature trails and family activities, Lake Pressegger See offers many specific points of interest. If you are planning longer cycling tours, the Gail Valley Cycle Path and the Three Lakes Circuit can guide your plans. Those interested in culture can combine the old-town walk, the heritage museum and the Nassfeld Historical Mile.

Other destinations for your search

You can also consider Egg bei Hermagor, Rattendorf, Tröpolach, Kirchbach, Weißbriach, Paßriach, Sankt Stefan An Der Gail, Dellach, Forst, Birnbaum, Vorderberg, Schlanitzen, Sankt Lorenzen Im Lesachtal, Reisach, Sonnenalpe Nassfeld, Waidegg, Podlanig Im Lesachtal, Liesch, Sittmoos, Jenig, Lesachtal, Kötschach-Mauthen, Maria Luggau, Hermagor-Pressegger See, Görtschach, Liesing, Mellweg, Gundersheim and Gitschtal for your search.

For the higher-level travel overview: Carinthia.