Nockberge-Trail

Among all mountain groups in the Eastern Alps, the Nockberge mountains with an age of 60 million years are the oldest. You cannot fail to see: while the Hohe Tauern in the west, the Karawanken and Karnische Alpen in the south exude an almost youthful brusque, the Nockberge mountains rest like wise giants with their gently rounded mountains and knolls.

This gentleness, combined with peak heights of almost 2,500 meters and a landscape majesty, largely free of technical infrastructure, give the Nockberge a very special magic. Therefore, it is clear why nature conservation pioneers fought to preserve this natural jewel as early as the 1970s. Thanks to them, today one of three UNESCO biosphere reserves in Austria protects this harmonious Alpine landscape for the next generation.

What could be more appropriate than walking through this hiking paradise on a long-distance hiking trail? Over lush green pastures, through shady stone pine forests, on breathtakingly promising ridges, from one summit to the next. This is the new "Nockberge-Trail"! The start is located on the Katschberg in the north and leads in five charming day stages across the UNESCO biosphere reserve to the destination to Bad Kleinkirchheim in the south, where your reward, a famous Spa is waiting for you. Essentially, the trail follows his popular namesake, Austria's first online ski touring trail, during the summermonths.

The Nockberge-Trail impresses with its scenic attractions, sheer boundless panoramas, technically less difficult climbs, which still require a certain degree of stamina, and the charming change of comfortable hotels and friendly huts in the stages. The ideal choice for grounding within a week and absorbing the peace and serenity of the Nockberge mountains.

The best season for a hiking trip on the Nockberge-Trail in the Carinthian Nock Mountains extends from early June to early October.

Spring (March, April, May): In the months of March and April the trails are still under snow, so the trail is not yet accessible. Even in May, the sections in the higher regions - the Nockberge Trail leads up to an altitude of 2,350 m – are partially covered with snow, so the trail this month can rarely be recommended.

Summer (June, July, August): June, July and August are all highly recommended hiking months for the Nockberge-Trail: In June, you will be enchanted by the ever greener and blossoming nature. By contrast, in the months of July and August, the Nockberge-Trail is ideally suited for avoiding the hot temperatures in the valley due to its altitude - it leads almost continuously between 1,500 m and 2,350 m above sea level.

Autumn (September, October, November): Crystal-clear air, color-turning forests and pleasant temperatures. Hiking in autumn (September to early October) is an insider tip on the Nockberge-Trail – No wonder, that the photo sessions often take place in September. Later in the fall, winter onset can make a visit difficult or even impossible.

Winter (December, January, February): The stages of the Nockberge-Trail are not accessible in winter, as the paths are under snow. This is the season for its namesake - Austria's first online bookable ski trail .

Technically, the Nockberge-Trail has moderate difficulties that are not a problem for the sure-footed and experienced alpine hiker. The stages lead on mountain trails with a red dot, which are classified as moderately difficult trails according to classification of the Alpine Club Austria (Alpenverein Österreich). Even if the terrain has no technical difficulties, you still move in an alpine region partially above the tree line with altitudes up to 2,350 m. You should therefore bring along a certain mountain experience for the Nockberge-Trail.
In terms of fitness, the Nockberge Trail has moderate and in 2 stages somewhat higher demands, all in all it is less demanding than the Alpe-Adria-Trail: In constant ups and downs, individual stages require a climb of up to 1,200 meters in altitude, while on others stages as long descents are to be mastered. Appropriate conditional preparation is therefore recommended.

The Nockberge-Trail is suitable for children over 12 years with very good physical condition.
For persons with reduced mobility, long-distance trails and trekking routes are due to their requirements very limited or not suitable. To clarify the individual options with the degree of reduced mobility, it is recommended to contact the Trail Info & Booking Center before booking.

Click here to find out more about the classification of the mountain trails and the technical and conditional preparation of the tour. >>Link

For the Nockberge Trail a "normal" equipment for alpine walks and unpaved roads is quite enough. We definitely recommend sturdy footwear and the inclusion of telescopic hiking poles to relieve the knee when longer descents appear. For the mountain hut “Neue Bonner-Hütte” - as is customary on shelters – it is obligatory to bring a sleeping bag liner and a towel in addition with you. Click herefor a detailed equipment list for your hike.

Tip: With our luggage service, you can tour with a light-weight day backpack, while your main luggage (max. 20 kg) is transported from one accommodation to the next. We recommend luggage insurance for peace of mind.

For a closer look, check out the detailed information for each stage along the trail here. The times are average values and may vary depending on personal fitness, number and length of breaks, weather conditions, etc. In case of Self drive tours (overland) the drive times are based on our empirical values.

Feel free to load map material from Google maps.

Accommodation along the Trail is available in three categories (regional rating):

Accommodation along the Trail is available in three categories (regional rating):

Basic: Simple, clean, functional – inn, guesthouse or mountain shelter
Classic: Mid-range accommodation – 2* or 3* inn or hotel
Comfort: High-end accommodation – 4* or 4*s hotel, often with spa area

The stage destinations offer - except the destination of stage 1, the Neue Bonner-Hütte - a selection of middle to high class hotels. The Neue Bonner-Hütte has - as usual in mountain huts - only a limited number of twin / double rooms and additionally offers four to five-bed rooms. Be aware that there are shared showers and shared toilets. For the sake of the environment, it is obligatory at the Neue Bonner-Hütte to use a brought sleeping bag - please also bring a towel with you.

Children aged 6 to 14 staying in their parents’ room are charged at a 35% discount (provided both adults are paying full price)

Basic

Classic

Comfort

Our Nockberge Trail partner establishments offer three types of catering:

Breakfast: morning buffet or breakfast served at your table
Half-board: Breakfast and dinner (usually 3 courses)

Please enter any individual dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food intolerances, allergies etc.) in the ‘comments’ box. Our team at the Trail Info & Booking Center will do their best to accommodate your request

Bed and breakfast

Half board

Regional half board

For an especially carefree Trail journey, consider our comprehensive transport service:

Luggage service: Touring with a light-weight day backpack, while your main luggage (max. 20 kg) is transported from one accommodation to the next. We recommend luggage insurance for peace of mind.

Return transfer: Convenient shuttle service from your Trail destination back to your departure point.

Shuttle service: All shuttle transfers that are essential for the completion of your Nockberge Trail journey are included in the mobility package. Additional shuttle services (for example in the event of bad weather, illness etc.) can simply be requested at the Trail Info & Booking Center, though these will be charged separately.

Luggage service

Back transfer

Shuttle service

While traveling, you can take advantage of the special service of our Trail Info & Booking Center, which turns your hiking trip into a particularly safe, well supervised and thus unforgettable experience:

Trail Hotline: You can contact our experienced team for advice and practical support daily from 8:00 am to 08:00 pm.

Guide: Our certified mountain guides are well trained and have an excellent knowledge of the area. In addition, they can provide you with a lot of knowledge about the nature and culture of the UNESCO biosphere reserve Nockberge, making a hike with our guides to a varied and safe trail trip. All costs incurred (guidance, accommodation and food and travel) for the mountain guide are included under "Guiding".

Advanced Trail Travel Documents, Angel's Service: Professionally prepared, detailed and ideal for the preparation of your trail trip. The documents will be sent in good time before departure by e-mail (PDF, print @ home).

To get to your departure point at the Nockberge-Trail, you have three travel options (not included in the price):

By car: Parking is available at the beginning of each stage of the Trail. Details can be found in your booking documents. Most of the car parks are subject to fees, and unmonitored, so that your vehicle will be left at your own risk. At the end of your trekking journey, our return transfer takes you back to your car.

By train: Depending on where you are traveling from, you can choose from the following IC/EC train stations: Spittal-Millstätter See; Bischofshofen; Unzmarkt.

By plane: We recommend the following international airports: Klagenfurt (KLU), Salzburg (SZB).

A shuttle service (charged separately) is available to take you to the departure point of your Trail journey, and back to the station or airport of your choice. Our team at the Trail Info & Booking Center will be very happy to arrange this shuttle service at your request.

This is where our Trail travelers find an especially warm welcome: ranging from 4* Spa hotels to simple B&Bs, our partner establishments have been hand-picked based on specific criteria, and actively contribute to the development of the Trail.

Here you will find all relevant information about your travel destination such as currency, entry requirements, food & drink, health and vaccinations and literature tips.

Trail Information & Booking center, Travel Agent
Trail Angels GmbH
9821 Obervellach 15
Austria

We arrange your tour operator
Trail Angels GmbH
Obervellach 15, 9821 Obervellach, Österreich
Eintragungs-NR. Veranstalterverz. des bmwfi: 2016/0005
Tel: +43 4782 93093
Email: info@bookyourtrail.com

Here you will find the travel terms of your trail operator: