Actively relax at Weissensee

In some parts of the world, I’m not so sure if their remote location is a blessing or a curse. The Weissensee Nature Park is just such a case. Carinthia’s flagship for tourism in harmony with nature is already a nice distance away for travellers starting in Zurich. You don’t even go there “that fast” for the weekend. Whether by car, train or plane – one day must be planned for the outward journey. But if you don’t let that deter you, you’ll be rewarded royally by Lake Weissensee. A wonderful place that has me wrapped around my finger in no time with its landscape panorama despite stingy handling of the sun’s rays.

“Experience nature with pleasure” is the credo of the Weissensee Nature Park. It is very commendable that the shore of the lake is completely car-free on a large section. In the 1960s, a thoroughfare was – fortunately – prevented. Today, the focus is more than ever on car-free holidays. Guests travelling by train will be picked up free of charge by shuttle bus at the nearest train station, Greifenburg. The “Nature Park Bus” runs along the lake every half hour. If you travel by car, you can confidently do without it on site.

I’ll show you what we did in and around the Carinthian jewel.

Biking around the lake

If you don’t bring your own bike, you will find various providers in Techendorf who rent bikes and e-bikes. Since there is no road along the shore along the eastern part of the lake, you also have to ride your bike uphill and downhill. I was also very happy that the drive of my e-bike actively supported me on the climbs. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful view of the lake.

Discover the lake
with pleasure

Every Friday until mid-October, the four-hour pleasure tour (adults 49 euros) takes place in the nature park. The excursion starts at the reversal loop in Neusach, where the road ends and pure nature begins. With an adventurous raft creation, you first glide gently over the mirror-smooth Weissensee. You can also imagine that I photographed the magnificent reflections in the chord. In between, thanks to the turquoise shorelines, there is almost a bit of a Caribbean feeling.

On the opposite bank, we left the raft and explored the shore vegetation with the wildlife researchers Hans-Peter Sorger and Manuela Siller. As we walk along narrow paths through the forest, they tell fascinating details about the flora and fauna in the nature park. We return by raft, where we taste the delicious Weissensee fish freshly caught.

Discover
fauna and flora on foot

The best way to explore this natural paradise is on foot. 200 kilometres of marked hiking trails lead from 900 m above sea level to 2,300 m above sea level. In addition, nine themed trails offer very different insights into the Weissensee landscape.

Well-deserved refreshment

The culinary facet is also not neglected at Lake Weissensee. Be it on the road on one of the many alpine farms or along the lake with a gourmet chef. On the one hand, we enjoyed lunch on the terrace of the Bio-Vitalhotel Weissenseerhof in bright sunshine. Another highlight was the dinner in the trout, which has been awarded 14 Gault Millau points. If you want to treat yourself to something after the sporting activity, this is definitely the right place for you.

Let
your mind wander at the lake

Active recreation also includes really letting your mind wander. Just do nothing, shut down the engine, put your feet up and take a deep breath. This can be done particularly well, for example, in the See Spa of the Weissenseerhof. The spa is built directly into the lake and, in addition to the beautiful panoramic view, also offers the opportunity to jump into the lake at any time for a refreshment.

Rest
well bedded

On the opposite side of the spa, separated by the street, is the hotel building of the Weissenseerhof. The 4-star superior hotel boasts modern rooms, hospitality and a beautiful view of the lake or the magnificent flower and herb garden (the flowers and herbs are used in the gourmet cuisine). Ideal starting point for a relaxing break in the heart of Carinthia.

Do you understand me now when I wish that Lake Weissensee would be a little closer to Switzerland?

Note: I was invited to this trip by Austrian National Tourist Office and Carinthia National Tourist Office – thank you very much for this. As always, my readers can be sure that I always represent my views and enthusiasm here.