Those considering Arnbach as a travel destination will find a wide variety of hiking options: the very easy Wichtelwanderweg, trails along the Drau and alpine routes. There are also four listed sites. This makes it possible to choose between forest, riverside trails, high-altitude routes and culture when planning your trip.

Hiking between forest and the Drau

The Wichtelwanderweg is a very easy forest trail. It passes through dense coniferous forest and clearings with panoramic views of Sillian. The route continues to Arnbach; the Drau cycle path is especially recommended for the return journey. This lets you combine the hike with a return option explicitly mentioned in the tour description.

The Draudamm winter hiking trail offers a different kind of route: it follows the Drau from the border with Italy in Arnbach to Tassenbach. After the hike, you can take a bus or train from Tassenbach back towards Arnbach or Sillian. Check the timetable in advance to make sure the return journey fits your day’s plans.

Alpine stages and named destinations

The first stage of the Karnischer Höhenweg from Arnbach to the Sillianer Hütte is 9.5 km long. The official approach begins at the Alpenhotel Weitlanbrunn in the hamlet of Arnbach and initially follows the wide forest road 403 towards the Sillianer Hütte. The stage length and the described approach provide two specific points of reference for planning, without specifying a walking time.

Another marked route leads from Arnbach via Tödter and Kolbental to Lake Thurntaler and then on to the Jugendkreuz at 2,323 m. The western end of the Südalpenweg 03 is in Sillian or Arnbach. These routes therefore have different points of reference: a stage to the Sillianer Hütte, a route with the Jugendkreuz as its destination, and a long-distance hiking trail with its western end in Sillian or Arnbach.

The Hoch und Heilig mountain pilgrimage trail also passes through Arnbach: its stage 4 covers the section Sillian – Arnbach – Winnebach – Innichen. In Arnbach, it passes the Filialkirche zum Leidenden Heiland before reaching the Drau cycle path. The church is thus both part of the local culture theme and a named point along this stage.

Listed sites and practical points of reference

As of 30 June 2025, four sites in Arnbach are listed in the official monument register. The Filialkirche zum Leidenden Heiland and the Bildstock hl. Joh. Nepomuk are protected as historic monuments by ordinance. The Kapelle hl. Veit and the Marienkapelle Raner am Köckberg are protected by official decision. The form of protection therefore differs among these named churches, chapels and the wayside shrine.

The “Arnbach (Sillian) Abzw Weitlanbrunn” stop is listed as an access point for the Drau cycle path. The Platzhirsch sausage stand is also located directly on the Drau cycle path in Arnbach. Its availability may change, so check in advance whether it will be open during your trip. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you want to focus on: a forest hike, a trail along the Drau, an alpine stage or cultural sites.

Discover more destinations: Nikolsdorf, Amlach, Virgen, Obertilliach, Strassen, Hopfgarten In Defereggen, Untertilliach, Oberlienz.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Lienz.