Back to nature. That is easily said, but the conditions have to be right. This is why this new tourism brand is so exceptional: Eight Carinthian holiday villages along the Drau river have become an outdoor park and offer everything that makes visitors forget their everyday stresses.
In the past years, the Oberdrautal valley has built up an environmentally friendly offer and is now an insider’s tip for tourism in harmony with nature. One reason for this is that it is possible to completely regenerate in the natural countryside between the summits of the Kreuzeck mountains to the north and the striking mountain ranges of the Gailtal Alps and the Lienzer Dolomites to the west. That does not necessarily mean you have to laze around doing nothing, but consciously recover and relax in and with nature.
“The term ‘outdoor’ involves any sports activities that take place in nature on unprepared areas”, as the definition of the active nature experience by fitness experts and the German Duden dictionary goes. Holidaying in the outdoor park means ‘active enjoyment’. Here you will come across all kinds of outdoor experiences: slowing down, relaxing, enjoying. The Oberdrautal outdoor park is the sum of active exercise, slowing down and the conscious awareness of the body where the nature experience becomes the connecting aim. The options are varied. Pleasure hikers will find charming tours at their disposal in the Kreuzeck mountain range, the Gailtal Alps and the Lienzer Dolomites. Fantastic views and moments, crystal clear mountain lakes. Enjoying the tranquillity, marvelling at the outstanding panorama. For example, along the Heinrich-Hecht-Weg path in the Kreuzeck mountain range or along the summits of the Dolomites that rise up to 2,700 metres. Lovers of water sports can set out on a safari on the Drau river and find their outdoor experience in paddling. Feel like canyoning? Then off to the Ochsensprung, one of the most scenic gorges in upper Carinthia. You can also test your skills and dexterity in the climbing park in Irschen or on the fixed rope route in the Pirkner Klamm gorge. Everybody ventures forward as far as they think they can manage. No pressure, no must, just fun. Fresh air instead of city smog. Here cycling is still a true natural pleasure. The R1 cycle path along the Drau river has a total length of 366 kilometres, 222 of which run through Carinthia. Along the route you are encouraged to take a rest at traditional pubs and inns. All the way amidst nature, all without stress, all in the Oberdrautal valley. As well as nature attractions, the Oberdrautal valley offers further exceptional experiences. For example, the herb village of Irschen. The peaceful location on a natural high altitude terrace above the Drautal valley, between the Großglockner and lake Weissensee, is simply unique. Great cooking and the scent of herbs takes guests to new worlds of enjoyment.