Österreich / Kärnten / Region Villach / Faaker See

Austria / Carinthia / Villach – Lake Faak – Lake Ossiach Region: Exercise for everyone – the great outdoors is the perfect backdrop!

Out into the fresh air! Rediscover yourself, push your personal limits or simply enjoy the great outdoors. The endless opportunities for sports add to the Villach Region’s attraction – and make holidays in the heart of Carinthia unforgettable.

Why not work out beside a shady stream for a change? Fairytale-like meadows near a forest clearing also make a perfect place for functional full body exercises. And stunning rock climbing crags beat a stuffy gym any day. The Villach Region will soon have you exercising on holiday. Lucky for you: the impressive mountains and sparkling lakes draw you outdoors automatically.

Taking exercise in the fresh air means doing it at your own pace. Relying on your physical strength, enjoying the absolute freedom and making every moment magic – exercise should be fun, especially on holiday: whether swimming, cycling, hiking, Nordic walking, jogging, golfing, riding, paragliding, angling or rock climbing – the main thing is being outside.

The call of the wilds. No fewer than nine recreational lakes draw visitors to their shores, like fascinating Lake Ossiach or turquoise Lake Faak. For swimming, windsurfing, diving or water skiing. Latest trends: wakeboarding, parasailing and stand up paddling. There is also a lot of fun to be had on the rivers: what would you say to thrilling kayaking on the Gail or a more leisurely trip by canoe on the deep green Drau?

And in the Villach Region’s magic mountains: Dobratsch, Dreiländereck, Gerlitzen Alpe, Verditz and Mittagskogel. What is more, some of the unique hikes start right in front of your hotel. With endless views, incredible panoramas, fresh mountain air and Carinthian vitality. The ultimate challenge? Long-distance hiking. The Alpe-Adria Trail, for example, takes you 750 kilometres from the mountains to the sea – through truly spectacular scenery. Some of the most scenic stages go through the exceptional Villach Region.

Exploring by bike. Enjoy the freedom cycling gives you: go round lakes, climb up mountains, pedal along rivers, see the sights in picturesque towns and villages. All it takes is will power – but you will be rewarded. No matter whether on the leisurely family cycle paths, fast mountain bike trails, unique racing bike routes with a perfect network of roads or e-bike rides with a little boost from the motor. Some of the must-do routes? The Drau cycle path, the Carnic trail, the Alps- Adriatic ciclovia from Salzburg via Villach to Grado and the three-country tour. And if you find it’s too far to pedal back, you can always take the bike bus or train. Good to know: you can also engage the services of a professional guide. And if you don’t have any room for a bike in your luggage, you can simply hire a top model locally.

The joy of running. Enjoy running or jogging on fantastic trails of various lengths and levels of difficulty from easy to challenging. To suit your mood and fitness. From alpine trail running and challenging hill climb routes, dirt tracks and asphalt roads to blissful jogging trails along the shores of the lakes. Top: the signposted marathon track from Weißenstein to Wernberg for running the full 42.195 kilometres. Where do the Nordic walking trails take you? Up to the sunny summit of Gerlitzen Alpe for example or the fitness trail in Villach-Warmbad. Or along the serenely flowing Drau and round the nine sparkling lakes in the region. Another tip: the bracing walking and health trails in the spa resort of Bad Bleiberg. Whatever you choose, it’s the eco-friendly way to explore the Villach Region.

The thrill of rock climbing. Is rock climbing the thing for you? We can recommend Carinthia’s most popular practice rock face, Kanzianiberg near Finkenstein on Lake Faak, and the new Peterlewand rock face in Bodensdorf with fabulous views overlooking Lake Ossiach. In addition, the high ropes course, aerial adventure and brand-new Natur-Aktiv-Park on Lake Faak promise even more fun and adventure on holiday.

Best of thermals. Ever wondered what a bird’s-eye view of Villach’s lakes and mountains is like? This is the place: Gerlitzen Alpe is one of Austria’s most famous for flying. The take-off site is right beside the summit chairlift’s top station.

Teeing off in style. How about a game of golf? Your holiday in Carinthia will go with a swing at Schloss Finkenstein Golf Club on Lake Faak. A first rate 18-hole course with breathtaking views of the mountains in the Karawanken Range, Mittagskogel and Dobratsch. And so close to the town of Villach. For beginners and top golfers. Wonderful: the season lasts into November here.

Even more fresh air, even more nature, even more adventure? Be our guest! Specially trained guides will take you into the great outdoors. Tours include wildlife watching in the Dobratsch nature park for example. While the mist is still lingering in the valleys, you can enjoy the summit plateau with panoramic views from the Hohe Tauern into the Julian Alps and watch chamois, birds of prey and other animals in their natural habitat. On a Natur Aktiv canoe tour you can explore the River Gail area. Always along the south face of Dobratsch.

Information and bookings: Region Villach Tourismus GmbH Töbringer Str. 1 • 9523 Villach-Landskron • Austria Tel: +43 4242 42000–0 • Fax ext: 42 Spring / Summer / Autumn Page 2 E-mail: [email protected] • www.region-villach.at

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