In Kartitsch, winter hiking, cross-country skiing and culturally themed routes can each shape a stay in different ways. In addition to the certified winter hiking trails, there is the Dorfberg high-altitude cross-country ski trail; the “Oswald Kollreider” Artists’ Trail connects works of public art, and the long-distance hiking trail 1753 leads from Kartitsch to the Kreuzberg Pass.
Winter Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing
Since 2018, Kartitsch has been Austria’s first winter hiking village. The offering includes eight certified winter hiking trails; the signposted routes are maintained and cleared throughout the winter. Nevertheless, check the seasonal conditions on your chosen route before setting out.
If you would rather cross-country ski than walk, the Dorfberg high-altitude trail offers a clearly defined alternative: the route is ten kilometres long and of intermediate difficulty. These are specific details about one cross-country ski trail; winter hiking, by contrast, focuses on a network of eight certified trails. This lets you distinguish between the activity you want and the type of route.
The Schustertal winter hiking trail features impressive glacial erratics dating from the last Ice Age. They give the trail a geological focus, setting it apart from the simple distinction between hiking and cross-country skiing. If you also want to look out for geological features on a winter hike, the Schustertal trail is a specific option. Glacial erratics are large boulders carried by glaciers to the places where they now lie.
Art Trails and Long-Distance Hiking
The “Oswald Kollreider” Artists’ Trail runs from the municipal centre in Kartitsch along the Wiesenweg to St. Oswald, connecting works of public art in both parts of the village. If you do not want to choose a route based solely on length or difficulty, the Artists’ Trail offers a cultural focus as you explore the village.
The long-distance hiking trail 1753 offers a different scale of route. Its first stage, from Kartitsch to the Kreuzberg Pass, was completed and signposted in June 2023. Unlike the Artists’ Trail, this route focuses on the long-distance hiking stage itself, while the “Oswald Kollreider” connects works of public art in both parts of the village. These represent different ways of exploring the area: an art trail in Kartitsch and a stage heading towards the Kreuzberg Pass.
More Activities and Points of Interest
The Kartitsch Sports and Leisure Centre has a multifunctional play area, a children’s playground, and tennis and football courts. This adds play and ball sports to the hiking trails as further activities to consider during your stay. If you are taking different interests into account when planning your trip, you can consider these facilities alongside winter hiking and cross-country skiing.
The military cemetery in Kartitsch is on a small hill southeast of the village centre, near the church. Its location adds a specific point of reference in the village to the route descriptions.
Discover more destinations: Hinterbichl, Lienz, Leisach, Amlach, Niedermauern, Dölsach, Oberlienz, Gsaritzen
Back to the main travel overview: Lienz.
