On Katschberghöhe, you can combine a stay between two federal states with very different activities: In winter, a trail leads into Gontal, while in summer the Almbahn takes you to Aineck. There are also excursion destinations and activities for a range of interests. A good way to decide which ones will shape your trip is to start with the season and the activities you have in mind.

Between Carinthia and Salzburg

The village of Katschberghöhe connects the Austrian federal states of Carinthia and Salzburg. In the broader regional context, the Katschberg-Rennweg family region stretches along the main ridge of the Tauern between the two states. It lies at the gateway to the Carinthian Nockberge and Hohe Tauern national parks. This location defines the region; the specific activities on Katschberghöhe range from cable cars and hiking trails to excursions into Gontal.

At Aineck: cable car, panorama and routes

In summer, the Almbahn, an eight-person gondola lift, runs from Katschberghöhe to Aineck at an altitude of 2,220 m. At the top, you can enjoy panoramic views. When planning your visit, you can compare the different options on the mountain: Aineck offers easy to moderate hikes and 60 km of mountain biking trails. Route availability and the lift configuration may change, so it’s worth checking the latest operating and route information before your visit.

Summer activities and things to do with children

Katschhausen is a summer family excursion destination with a themed experience world. The region’s natural wonders are explained there with the help of characters from the story of the Katschlings; visitors can also solve puzzles. Katschhausen is accessible from parking lot P3 in the direction of the Alpine Horse Center Katschberg. Seasonal parking rules may change, so check the access information before your visit. Opening hours and age information may also change.

Children can ride Katschi’s summer toboggan run alone from their seventh birthday; younger children need to be accompanied. Staff at the valley station use the lift to bring the carts back to the starting point. At Katschberg Adventure Park, 200 stations are spread across heights of 1 to 20 m; 15 courses run through the treetops of the Katschberg forest. If you’re looking for an activity with animal themes, try the 3D archery course, which features three-dimensional animal targets. The terrain is gently hilly, with no extreme climbs or dips; the course is suitable for children aged 8 and over. Another summer option is a family hike that starts at the Falkensteiner Hotel Cristallo and takes about 1–2 hours. Check the current starting point for this hike.

Winter trails and rides into Gontal

The 4 km winter trail leads into Gontal through a wind-protected forest to the Pritzhütte and is suitable for strollers. Snow and trail conditions may vary by season; check the latest conditions before setting off. A horse-drawn sleigh ride also runs through Gontal to the Pritzhütte. You can sample regional specialties during a stop along the way; availability may vary depending on operating hours.

Another option is the “Ponyalmexpress” carriage ride. It starts in the center of Katschberghöhe and travels at 2 horsepower through the Gontal nature reserve to the Ponyalm by the Pritzhütte. You must register for the ride with the Alpine Horse Center Katschberg. Check the seasonal operating information in advance and register there.

Choose your travel arrangements and accommodation by season

Katschberghöhe is directly accessible via the A10 Tauern Autobahn. In winter, ski buses run directly to Katschberghöhe from St. Margarethen, St. Michael and Rennweg. As this is a seasonal service, check the timetable and operating period before your trip; if driving in winter, you should also take road conditions into account.

This lets you choose based on the focus of your stay, rather than treating all the activities as one combined itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Lendorf, Trebesing, Aschbach, Sachsenburg, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Großkirchheim, Egg, Berg Im Drautal.

Back to the main travel overview: Spittal An Der Drau.