Situated high above Villach, the Gerlitzen offers unobstructed views of Lake Ossiach, Lake Faak and Lake Wörthersee, making it one of the most beautiful vantage points in Carinthia. At around 1,500 metres above sea level, you can experience impressive sunrises over the lakes and golden sunsets behind the Karawanken mountains. And best of all: in the border triangle, you can be in Italy or Slovenia in less than an hour, perfect for a spontaneous detour across the border. On the Gerlitzen Alpe, you can hit the slopes directly from the resort in winter and enjoy the proximity to Lake Ossiach in summer. 45 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes, modern lifts and family-friendly slopes make the ski area ideal for beginners and connoisseurs. When the snow melts, the mountain landscape transforms into a paradise for hikers, bikers and swimming enthusiasts. Clear lakes, scenic paths and excursion destinations such as the Dobratsch Nature Park, Landskron Castle and the Carinthian thermal baths provide plenty of variety.
The journey to Bergresort Gerlitzen is via the well-developed Gerlitzen Alpenstraße, which leads from Treffen am Ossiacher See to the Kanzelhöhe. The road is tarmac, passable all year round and is regularly cleared in winter. From Villach you can reach the Gerlitzen in around 25 minutes, and from Klagenfurt you can reach your destination in less than an hour. You can also reach the Kanzelhöhe from Italy, for example from Tarvisio, in around 45 minutes.
Yes, on the Gerlitzen Alpe you will find several accommodation options right on the mountain, from comfortable holiday flats to hotels with a wellness area. For example, the Bergresort Gerlitzen by ALPS RESORTS, which is located at around 1,500 metres above sea level above Annenheim and Treffen. Here you stay in the middle of the ski area with direct access to the piste in winter and an ideal starting point for hikes in summer. From the resort, you can enjoy sweeping views over Lake Ossiach, LakeFaak and as far as Lake Wörthersee. Villach with its markets, restaurants and the Kärnten Therme thermal spa is just a few minutes' drive away.
In winter, 45 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes, modern lifts and sunny slopes with sweeping views over Carinthia's lakes await you. In summer, the mountain is transformed into a hiking and biking area with clear air, alpine huts and panoramic trails.
Relaxation and action come together at the Kärnten Therme. Families love the world of slides and the sports pool, while those seeking relaxation love the saunas and steam baths. In bad weather or after an active day on the Gerlitzen, the thermal spa is the perfect place to switch off.
In summer, the water, which is up to 26 °C warm, is ideal for swimming, sailing or stand-up paddling. There are cycle paths and footpaths around the lake, and you can experience Carinthia's third largest lake at its most beautiful on a boat trip.
Villach delights visitors with its Mediterranean flair, colourful markets and cosy cafés. The Villacher Kirchtag in summer and the Fasching in winter are particularly well-known festivals that combine tradition and joie de vivre. The charming old town centre invites you to stroll, shop or enjoy the river Drau.
Slides, saunas and relaxation areas await you at the modern Kärnten Therme Warmbad thermal spa. The old town of Villach invites you to take a leisurely stroll through boutiques, galleries and cafés. We also recommend visiting the Villach City Museum or going to the cinema. Those who prefer to indulge can stop off at one of the regional inns and try Carinthian specialities such as Kasnudeln or Reindling.
With the Erlebnis CARD Region Villach, you can enjoy numerous free or discounted offers throughout the holiday region. The card includes guided hikes, bike tours, city tours, cultural events and admission to selected leisure activities. In summer, you can take part in guided mountain and lake activities, while in winter the programme includes snowshoe hikes and thermal spa benefits. The Erlebnis CARD is available free of charge for guests of many accommodation providers, including Bergresort Gerlitzen, and opens the door to over 600 experiences a year.
An alpine paradise awaits winter sports enthusiasts in the centre of Carinthia. The Gerlitzen Alpe impresses with 45 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes, 17 modern lifts and spectacular panoramic views. The clearly laid out ski area impresses with its family atmosphere. Away from the pistes, snowshoe hikes on the Dobratsch and on the Gerlitzen, toboggan runs and ice skating on natural and artificial ice rinks .
The centrepiece of the Gerlitzen Alpe is Schneebärenland, where children and beginners can make their first turns on sunny slopes. Wide pistes, clearly laid out practice areas and highly trained ski instructors make the ski area particularly family-friendly.
Numerous huts and mountain restaurants around the Gerlitzen invite you to take a cosy break. Carinthian specialities such as Kasnudeln, Kaiserschmarrn and apple strudel taste particularly good here. An insider tip is the sunset at the Pacheiner hut with views across the lakes to the Karawanken.
Hardly any other ski area offers such an impressive panorama. From almost every descent, the view opens up over the Carinthian Lake District, the Nockberge mountains and the Julian Alps.
In addition to the groomed pistes, experienced winter sports enthusiasts will find exciting challenges on the Gerlitzen. Marked ski touring routes and around 15 kilometres of freeride areas lead into untouched snowy landscapes.
Seven winter hiking trails lead through the Villach-Ossiacher See region with fantastic views of snow-covered mountains and valleys. When the temperatures are cold enough, Lake Ossiach is transformed into a glistening ice rink for ice skating.
Regardless of the weather, the Villach Alpen Arena offers an artificial ice rink. After a day outdoors, the Kärnten Therme Warmbad-Villach invites you to relax with saunas and soothing warmth.
The Gerlitzen Alpe is one of the most snow-sure and family-friendly ski areas in Carinthia. Thanks to its location at up to 1,911 metres above sea level and a modern snowmaking system with over 600 snow cannons, the 45 kilometres of pistes are in excellent condition from December until well into spring.
The Dobratsch Nature Park with its winter hiking trails and snowshoe tours, the Kärnten Therme Warmbad-Villach spa for relaxing after a day's skiing or the romantic old town centre of Villach with its winter and Advent markets are popular. Those who enjoy tobogganing will find a floodlit run in the Villach Alpen Arena. For animal lovers, a visit to the Adlerarena and the Landskron monkey mountain is also a special experience in winter.
Lake Ossiach reaches a pleasant 26 degrees in summer and is ideal for swimming, sailing, stand-up paddling or simply relaxing. Families love the circular Kanzel trail, which is suitable for pushchairs, while active holidaymakers discover trails, hikes and bike routes with lake views. Cultural highlights, markets, festivals and short trips to Italy or Slovenia make summer in the border triangle particularly varied.
The Kanzelrundweg trail delights with sweeping views over Lake Ossiach and is even suitable for pushchairs, ideal for leisurely walks at around 1,500 metres above sea level.
A classic for mountain lovers: the ascent from the Bergeralm to the Gerlitzen summit leads through a charming alpine landscape with an impressive variety of plants and viewpoints. If you prefer a more leisurely approach, you can take the summit railway to the top and return to the valley on foot.
The region around Lake Ossiach, Lake Faak and the Gerlitzen Alpe is a real Eldorado for cyclists. The Lake.bike trails offer everything from easy family routes to challenging downhill routes.
The Gerlitzen is one of the most popular flying mountains in Austria. When the thermals are stable, paragliders and hang-gliders glide over Lake Ossiach, an unforgettable sight that the brave can experience for themselves. Local flying schools offer tandem flights and courses.
Lake Ossiach stands for pure summer fun: Swimming, SUP, sailing, boating, fishing or simply enjoying the sun on the shore. Water sports schools around Ossiach, Bodensdorf and Annenheim offer courses and hire options.
Lake Ossiach is one of the warmest lakes in Carinthia. In the summer months, the water reaches temperatures of 24 to 26 degrees, perfect for swimming, sailing or SUPing.
Villach Kirchtag is the largest traditional festival in Carinthia and takes place every year in the first week of August. The whole town celebrates for a week with music, traditional costumes, regional cuisine and atmospheric parades. The highlight is the big parade through the town centre. The Kirchtag is a piece of living Carinthian culture and attracts visitors from all over the Alps-Adriatic region, where tradition meets southern lifestyle.
Carinthian hospitality is characterised by enjoyment, warmth and genuine down-to-earthness. Whether in a cosy hut on the Gerlitzen or in an inn in the valley, you will encounter regional specialities and the typical southern lightness everywhere. The Carinthian Kasnudel, hand-rolled and with a spicy curd cheese and herb filling, and the sweet Reindling, which is traditionally baked on festive days,are particularly well-known . In summer, alpine huts tempt visitors with homemade cheese and fresh buttermilk, while Villach's gastronomy surprises with its Mediterranean influence.
The largest traditional festival in Carinthia: traditional costumes, music and regional cuisine transform Villach into a colourful celebration at the beginning of August. Dancing, folk music and pure joie de vivre, a must for holidaymakers in Carinthia.
When the fools reign in winter, Villach is upside down. The famous carnival is known far beyond the borders of Carinthia and delights with parades, costumes and a humorous stage programme.
High above Lake Faak, the Burgarena Finkenstein awaits you with its unique ambience. Open-air concerts by international artists and atmospheric summer nights take place here from May to September.
Culinary highlight with Carinthian beef specialities.
large motorbike meeting at the nearby Faaker See, which also attracts visitors from the Villach-Ossiacher See region.
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