Sappl offers several specific points of interest for planning a trip: a pilgrimage tradition practised for more than thirty years, as well as named pilgrimage, hiking and cycling routes. The differences are not just a matter of theme: one loop has a specified distance and approximate duration, the Hemma Pilgrimage Route passes through Sappl as part of a longer stage, and the Gauglerhof–Jufen–Granattor route identifies different sections for the ascent and descent. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sappl, you can first decide which of these routes best suits your travel plans.

The Fatima Pilgrimage and Religious Tradition

For more than thirty years, the Fatima pilgrimage has been an established part of Christian life in the Upper Carinthia region. In Sappl, the route begins at the turn-off to Matzelsdorf. During the half-hour walk, participants pray the rosary together; afterwards, a pilgrimage service is held at the branch church of the Obermillstatt parish. The itinerary thus combines a specific starting point with shared prayer and a church service.

The Hemma Pilgrimage Route as a Stage

The Hemma Pilgrimage Route passes through Sappl and alternates between shaded forest paths, meadows and fields. On the first stage from Millstatt to Bad Kleinkirchheim, Matzelsdorf is reached after 8 km, or about 2.5 hours; the route passes through Sappl beforehand. The distance and time refer to the section to Matzelsdorf within this first stage. If you plan your day around this, you can use these figures to gauge the section described.

The Wilder Mann Circular Trail

The Wilder Mann Circular Trail begins at the Maria Schnee pilgrimage church in Matzelsdorf, leads via the Wilder Mann Stein viewpoint to Sappl, and returns to Matzelsdorf. The loop is listed as 3.77 km and takes about 1.1 hours. Unlike the Hemma Pilgrimage Route, the time given here applies to the entire loop; there, it refers to the section to Matzelsdorf within the first stage. When comparing the two, make sure you note which section each time refers to.

Ascent and Descent on the Gauglerhof–Jufen–Granattor Route

On the Gauglerhof–Jufen–Granattor route, a small meadow path reaches Sappl. From the village, the route climbs towards Lammersdorfer Hütte and Jufen-Kreutz along a winding road. The descent heads towards Sappl via Lammersdorfer Hütte, Leitsbergalm and Ambroshütte. The access route, ascent and descent each have their own landmarks: the meadow path, the road and several named mountain huts.

Hiking and Cycling by Lake Millstatt

The Organic Autumn Hike by Lake Millstatt passes through Görtschach, Sappl and Matzelsdorf, then descends to Lake Millstatt and returns to the starting point in Millstatt. The Millstatt–Seeboden–Döbriach–Hochplateau cycling tour follows the Obermillstätter Landesstraße to Sappl, then continues on Route No. 65 towards Starfach and Döbriach. The descriptions highlight different details: for the hike, they mark the sequence of villages, the descent to the lake and the return to Millstatt; for the cycling tour, the Landesstraße and Route No. 65 indicate the direction. This lets you distinguish the routes by whether you are considering a hike that returns to its starting point or the continuation of a cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Reißeck, Weinberg, Dellach Im Drautal, Stampfen, Mörtschach, Egg, Pfaffenberg, Gatschach

Go to the overview of the wider area: Spittal An Der Drau.