November 13, 2024 – 20:15 ORF III: Around Mallnitz

When you think of Mallnitz, the imposing mountains and idyllic valleys immediately spring to mind, but the real stars of this region are the people who live here. Many of the people who appear in the film are well known to Mallnitz residents and their guests – friends, neighbors and dedicated nature lovers who are committed to protecting and caring for this unique environment.

Take a look at:
https://on.orf.at/video/14250966

We cordially invite you to watch Heimat Österreich: Rund um Mallnitz today and immerse yourself in the stories of our region together with us. Be inspired by the passion and dedication that the people of Mallnitz have for their village. Perhaps this article will awaken in you the desire to visit Mallnitz yourself and experience the peace and beauty of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

In the heart of Austria, at the foot of the Hohe Tauern mountains, lies the Mallnitz Valley. Old traditions and customs characterize life in the region.
Walter Zraunig lives in Mallnitz, where he discovered woodturning after a long career on the railroad. While he pursues his great passion in the workshop, trail warden Günter Schwärzler looks after the hiking and alpine trails in the region. Meanwhile, the Mallnitz male choral society, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is rehearsing in the valley. The new Heimat Österreich production also follows Hermann Unterrainer, who has revitalized numerous old mills in Mallnitz after 30 years as a hut keeper, and the supervising fisherman Viktor Steiner, who was born into fly fishing.

Director
Patrick Pongratz

Seebachtal round

Hiking in one of the most beautiful high mountain valleys in the Hohe Tauern

Who in the Hohe Tauern National Park If you want to hike, you don’t necessarily have to go high up. There are some beautiful Hiking tours with few ascents and descentswhich you can start right on our doorstep in Mallnitz.

One of these leads into the wild and romantic Seebachtal valley, where the alpine flora and fauna show themselves from a particularly beautiful and diverse side. The Seebachtal is also the oldest wildlife reserve in the Hohe Tauern National Park, making it an absolute paradise for wildlife spotting.

This hike can be experienced in several versions – depending on the time available, you can either start directly in front of Haus Hohenberger or take the hiking bus to the valley station of the Ankogelbahn and set off from there.

All-round information on the Seebachtal circuit

The Seebachtal tour is a delight on easy trails with varied nature. The starting point of the tour – the Ankogelbahn valley station – can be reached by public transport.
accessible by public transport. The hiking bus stops here several times a day during the summer season.

Overall, this is an easy hike with easily accessible paths. You should have a good basic level of fitness, but no special skills are required.
The wide footpath between the Ankogelbahn valley station, along the Seebach stream, to the Stappitzersee lake is generally easy to manage with a baby carriage or wheelchair.

Key data

Duration: Approx. 2 hours and 20 minutes
Length: 8.7 km
Gradient: low
Equipment: Light trekking shoes, rucksack with drinks
Refreshment stops: Schwussnerhütte (at the end of the trail) and Raineralm
and Gasthof Alpenrose (both near the parking lot of the Ankogelbahn)
Starting point: Ankogelbahn valley station
End point: Ankogelbahn valley station

Starting point Haus Hohenberger

If you prefer to rely entirely on your own two legs, you can walk to the Ankogelbahn valley station. A well-marked, quiet hiking trail leads from Apartments Hohenberger to the valley station. The additional walking time is around 35 minutes in one direction. Alternatively, the route can also be covered by bike. This takes about 7 minutes.

Hiking through the seasons

The best time for this hike is between April and October. During this period, the entire route is accessible and the refreshment stop at the end of the trail – the Schwussnerhütte – is open from the end of May 2023.

It is well worth exploring the Seebachtal valley in spring, summer and fall. The alpine flora and fauna each hold different treasures in store that will delight all hikers with their beauty.

Even in winter, a large part of the route is easily accessible via the wide footpath along the Seebach stream and attracts visitors with its snow-covered beauty. The Seebach valley can also be explored at this time of year on the cross-country ski trail.

Course of the hike

Start of the hike

We start our hike at the Ankogelbahn valley station on a wide and flat hiking trail. We follow this along the signposts and can already be inspired by the wonderful nature around the Seebach. Mighty rock faces and the proud 3,000-metre peaks of the Ankogel, Hochalmspitze and Säuleck enrich the unique landscape through which this hike runs. [/caption]

Lake Stappitz

After about 900 m, we reach Lake Stappitz, whose picturesque panorama invites us to linger. Lake Stappitz is not only a unique high mountain steppe lake, but also an important resting place for migratory birds. The wide shore areas are a gem of untouched nature, where rare bird species such as waders and herons, Alpine swifts and golden eagles can be observed. The ducks also love it here. This idyllic lake owes its formation to a large late ice age landslide from the Auernig (2130 m), which caused the lake to dam up. Lake Stappitz and its surroundings were declared a natural monument in 1986.

Seebachtal nature trail

The Seebachtal nature trail provides lots of interesting information about the region, especially about the alpine flora and fauna. The easy-to-walk nature trail provides insights into special natural phenomena such as the‘praying forest‘, the stilt-roots or the ice hole. For the outward journey, we stay on the wide and mostly sunny hiking trail. On the way back, we can then experience the natural phenomena of the nature trail.

Valley of the waterfalls

If we follow the path further, a wonderful view of the Großenledscharte (2674m) opens up. After about 2.6 km, we finally arrive in the valley of the waterfalls. In addition to the impressive sight of the Trombach Falls, the wild rushing of this natural spectacle is also fascinating. With a bit of luck, we can also observe bearded vultures at the Schleier Waterfall, which have been released into the wild here. The bearded vulture is the largest bird in the Alps, a true “king of the skies”. It was thought to be extinct, but has now found a new home here in the
Hohe Tauern National Park.

Grazing animals

As the oldest wildlife reserve in the Hohe Tauern National Park, the Seebachtal valley is not only an absolute paradise for wildlife spotting. Herds of cattle and horses grazing peacefully with their offspring can also be observed along the trail. The wide valley offers enough space for hikers and animals to keep their distance from each other.

Refreshments at the end of the valley

We follow the wide hiking trail for another 1.4 km until we finally arrive at the Schwussnerhütte in the completely natural valley head of the Seebachtal. Here there are all kinds of hearty and sweet delicacies from the region as well as refreshing drinks for hikers of all ages. For the Alpine Pearls partner business, a focus on regional food, short transport routes and the highest quality are a matter of course. Culinary pleasure hikers get their money’s worth here.

Two possible ways back

After a long rest, we set off again and have two
options: We can walk back along the wide hiking trail or switch to a narrower
hiking trail, which takes us on a circular route back to the nature trail until just before
Lake Stappitz.

The “forest of praying trees” and the ice hole

This circular trail leads through denser and therefore shadier forests, including the forest of praying trees. This wild and romantic section of the trail has a special magic about it. The “ice hole”, where cold air draws out of piled up rocks, also has a mystical feel to it. Especially in summer, it also offers a welcome cool-down.

End of the hike

Passing Lake Stappitz again, we treat ourselves to a short break on the banks of the Seebach stream before returning to the Ankogelbahn valley station. There we have the opportunity to stop for a bite to eat at Gasthof Alpenrose or Raineralm. These Slow Food partner businesses also offer their guests selected culinary delights. The focus is on regional food, short transportation routes and the highest quality. At the Raineralm, the Mallnitz family adventure trail has been lovingly created. A successful conclusion to a wonderful hike. There is probably no other valley in the Alps like the wild and romantic Seebachtal in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

FAQ about the Seebachtal tour

The hike into the Seebachtal valley is suitable for everyone, young and old, with good
basic fitness levels. As there are hardly any inclines or declines along the route and the
entire valley can be explored via a wide footpath, the hike into the Seebachtal is also
very popular with families and hikers of all generations.

Starting from the Mallnitz visitor center, guided hikes with
rangers of the Hohe Tauern National Park are offered from time to time. More information can be found here:
https://www.nationalpark-hohetauern.at/erlebnis-hohe-tauern/nationalpark-kaernten-
card/national-park-ranger-programs-summer/

Unfortunately not. As a natural monument in the Hohe Tauern National Park, Lake Stappitzer See and
its surroundings are particularly worthy of protection. They are therefore entirely the realm of the unique
alpine flora and fauna.

The opening times of the refreshment stops along the hike in the Seebachtal valley can be found at
on the respective websites. The Raineralm (https://www.raineralm-
mallnitz.at) and the Gasthof Alpenrose (https://www.alpenrose-mallnitz.at) are both located
at the starting point of the hike, near the Ankogelbahn valley station. The
Schwussnerhütte (http://www.ankogel.at/schwussnerhuette) is located at the turning point of the
hike, at the head of the Seebachtal valley.

The travel times of the hiking bus can be found here: https://www.mallnitz.at/wanderbus-
mallnitz-ort-berge
The travel times can of course also be found at the bus stops. For our guests
we have also posted them on the information board on the first floor of Apartments Hohenberger
.
For guests of Alpine Pearls accommodation, which includes Apartments Hohenberger,
the hiking bus is free of charge. The hiking bus not only saves our guests time and
comfort, we also do something good for the environment by not having to use our own four wheels.

Lake Stappitz also plays an important role in Carinthian legends. For example,
the terrible lindworm, which according to legend once wreaked havoc in Lower Carinthia
, is said to have hatched from a hare’s egg here. Today, the Lindwurm is best known
as a landmark of the Carinthian capital.

You can also cycle to Lake Stappitz with its wild and romantic shoreline and unique
alpine flora and fauna. The shore of the
Stappitzer See lake also offers several benches for an extended rest during a cycle tour in the
surroundings of the mountaineering village of Mallnitz.

Carinthia Card summer 2023

The more than 100 Kärnten Card excursion destinations in summer 2023 in one map.

It was introduced for the first time in the 1996 summer season – the Carinthia Card. Seit damals gehört sie für viele zum Sommerurlaub in Kärnten einfach dazu.

Download the 210-page PDF brochure on the Kärnten Card 2023 with information on all excursion destinations in German and English

Ragga Gorge

A Kärtnen Card 2023 excursion destination only ~20 minutes drive from Mallnitz. Of course also with the offers Gentle Mobility / Alpine Pearls

Incredible, all inclusive!

Carinthia Card summer 2023
With the Kärnten Card you have the whole of Carinthia in your pocket in summer 2023. You can visit over 100 excursion destinations throughout Carinthia.

More than 100 attractions throughout Carinthia can also be explored in summer 2023 with the Kärnten Card.
Repeated use is also possible – the Kärnten Card is valid once a day for each excursion destination.
The following destinations in and around Mallnitz are included:

    Weekly tickets and season tickets 2023

    These variants of the Kärnten Card are available online or at the points of sale available:

        • 1 week (€ 58 max),

        • 2 weeks (€ 73 max) and

        • 5 weeks (€ 79 max).

      For locals and guests who visit Carinthia for longer or more often, there is even a

        • Season ticket(€ 85 max) valid from April 1, 2023 to November 5, 2023.

      The Kärnten Card season ticket can be combined particularly well with our special  Greenstay rates (for stays of more than 5 days) from Apartments Hohenberger can be combined.

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