Via Paradiso - Stage 4

The first part of this stage up to Egelsee is identical to the last meters of the previous stage: The Kneipp path starts at the parking lot behind the Gasthof Lug ins Land, which leads us – interrupted by a forest road – up to another forest road that shortly takes us straight ahead to a large forest road junction 50 meters before the Egelsee. Yesterday we came from the left, but today we hike to the right to reach the small wooden-planked path that leads left directly to the shore of the Egelsee after about 50 meters. We probably already visited the lake on the short stage yesterday – if not, we should do so today. Please note – due to maintenance work, the direct access to the Egelsee via the wooden jetty and wooden path will be closed in summer 2025 for safety reasons. Thank you very much for your understanding.

However, our path to the Alpengasthof Bergfried, the end point of the stage, leads us along the forest road on the south shore of the Egelsee. The path makes a long left curve, and we ignore the first two right turns (including signpost "Molzbichl"). At the next junction, we keep right. Now it goes over a slightly wider path, which leads into a smaller trail, partly steeply downhill to an asphalt road at the "Wacholderplatz". We cross the road and walk a forest path (signpost "Gh. Lagger") first straight and then holding right uphill to the first houses of Großegg. Then the small asphalt road to the left and always straight ahead to Mentebauer (farm holidays) in the middle of Großegg.

Immediately behind Mentebauer, we turn right onto a field path (signpost "Kleinegg") and follow it with a slight ups and downs beautifully over a ridge. In the meantime, we have a wonderful view of Lake Millstatt – shortly after that, at a fork, we follow the path diagonally left towards "Insberg" and continue nicely along the ridge to a field path junction. Here we continue straight ahead on a initially poorly visible forest road. We follow this forest road straight ahead – ignoring a left turn "Geißberg circular trail" – to a field with houses and a view of Insweg. Here we plan a detour to Gasthof Laggner and the "3 Crosses viewpoint" with a last view into the Drava Valley. Continuing straight ahead at the upper edge of the meadows, the path briefly becomes an asphalt road and soon again a forest road. We still follow this straight ahead and choose the right forest road at two equally large forest roads branching left, thus reaching a path junction in the forest after some time. Briefly right and then immediately sharply left following the "Seilbahnweg". This leads very nicely but also steeply down a rooty and somewhat stony path – ignoring a forest road – until shortly before Glanz we reach a crossing path. Here turn left shortly to the first houses and further to the main road in Glanz.

Now begins the last ascent to the Alpengasthof Bergfried – always a great view of Lake Millstatt on the left: We cross the road and continue along the diagonally right slightly uphill road and keep diagonally right uphill at a road fork. We reach some more houses and leave the small asphalt road behind the last house by following the initially very steep cart track uphill to the right. We cross a road and continue to follow the hiking trail uphill, hiking through two more hairpin bends uphill until we reach an asphalt road. We follow this to the left, first still uphill and then on the same level to the end point of the trail at the Alpengasthof Bergfried.

Let's enjoy the view of Lake Millstatt – especially from the Sternenbalkon it is particularly beautiful: From here, we can once again overlook our entire route of the last four days and review the many wonderful experiences. Depending on where we stay overnight, we can then be taken down to Döbriach by shuttle.

Basic equipment includes:

solid, well-fitting mountain or hiking shoes with a grippy sole water- and wind-resistant mountain clothing in layers, hiking poles sunglasses, sun protection mobile phone and hiking map a first-aid kit  as well as sufficient drinks and a snack

Proper behavior in the mountains

Careful route planning based on descriptions and hiking maps is essential for a successful mountain tour. Equally important is correctly assessing the mountain experience, fitness, surefootedness, freedom from dizziness, and resilience of all participants.  Never leave marked hiking trails and avoid shortcuts. Inform yourself about weather conditions before hiking and return to the valley if the weather deteriorates. The mountains are for everyone. Helping to maintain and keep them clean is every hiker’s duty. Take your waste down the valley and protect the animal and plant life. Always keep dogs under control and on a short leash. If an attack by a grazing animal is foreseeable, immediately unleash the dog. Austrian farmers contribute importantly to preserving our alpine landscape. Visitors are asked to respect and adapt to this beautiful landscape. Respect the people working here, nature, and the animals.

Here are the most important emergency numbers in case of an accident in Austria: 

140 Alpine Emergency Call

144 Rescue Emergency Call

112 European Emergency Call (possible from all networks. Turn off the mobile phone and after turning it on, instead of the PIN, dial "112" )

From Spittal an der Drau, you can reach Gasthof Lug ins Land within a few minutes by car.

From the east via Southern Motorway (A2) Vienna – Graz – Klagenfurt – Villach – Spittal/Drau; or from Villach via the Gegendtal to Radenthein/Döbriach – Millstätter See

From the south via Autostrada Udine – Tarvisio – Villach – Spittal/Drau; or from Villach via the Gegendtal to Radenthein/Döbriach – Millstätter See;

From the west Innsbruck – Felbertauernstraße or Brenner Motorway/Pustertal to Lienz – Oberdrauburg – Spittal/Drau to Radenthein/Döbriach – Millstätter See

From the north Munich – Salzburg – Tauern Motorway (A10) heading to Spittal/Drau until Millstätter See exit (left turn) to Radenthein/Döbriach – Millstätter See

Nockmobil

As a feeder to public transport, the Nockmobil offers a green alternative to the car as a demand-oriented call shuttle taxi and enables us to travel flexibly from stop to stop. Let's use the Nockmobil to get to and from the starting point of our hike Lug ins Land (from stop number NM 340). Destination stage 4: Stop number Gasthof Bergfried (NM 590).

For booking a ride with the Nockmobil, we recommend calling about an hour in advance (the day before in summer months). Our ride can be booked via the app.

Car shuttle Carinthia

Comfortably and directly from the station to your accommodation with the Car shuttle Carinthia: https://www.bahnhofshuttlekaernten.at/

Parking spaces are available at Gasthof Lug ins Land.

More information about Via Paradiso  can be found at the official trail booking center at www.bookyourtrail.com.

More information about the hiking area of the region is available at:

Region Millstätter See - Bad Kleinkirchheim - Nockberge

+43 (0) 4246-37444

info@mbn-tourismus.at

www.seeundberg.at/wandern

The UNESCO Biosphere Park Carinthian Nockberge

Majestic, mighty and unique – the UNESCO Biosphere Park Carinthian Nockberge is an alpine jewel with unique natural treasures, a diverse cultural landscape as well as rare species of animals and plants. For centuries, people have lived here in harmony with nature. Gently hilly with peaks over 2400 meters and picturesque alpine meadows – the biosphere park Carinthian Nockberge is a rare natural idyll in the midst of the Austrian Alps and covers an area of about 500 square kilometers.

In 2012 the designation as a biosphere park was made by UNESCO. The park is based on the three pillars of sustainability: ecological balance, economic security, and social justice. Here people live in harmony with nature and the rare animal and plant world are respected and cherished.

Regional products, processed according to old traditions, testify to careful work following traditional recipes. Trained biosphere park rangers promise unforgettable tours for families, and in several educational programs this knowledge is also passed on to pupils. At whatever time of year a visit is undertaken, the biosphere park always offers a full treasure chest of experiences.

More information about the UNESCO biosphere park Carinthian Nockberge can be found at: www.biosphaerenparknockberge.at

More information about Via Paradiso can be found at the official trail booking center at www.bookyourtrail.com.

To finish, enjoy a scenic picnic of the Mirnock farmers at sunset at the Sternenbalkon.