Verditz: Hiking, Art and Mountain Scenery

Verditz is known as a hiking mountain with numerous hiking trails. The Verditz–Schwarzsee area lies in the Carinthian Nock Mountains at an elevation of 600 to 1,900 m; the atmospheric Schwarzsee is one of the highlights of Verditz. If you are looking for a hotel in Verditz, it helps to first decide on the main focus of your stay: hiking, art, winter activities and cycling each offer a different experience.

Hiking between Schwarzsee and Palnock

The Schwarzsee circular hiking trail is listed as 7.7 km long, with 606 m of elevation gain and a stated duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes. The route leads to the idyllic Schwarzsee and returns to the starting point along a different path. Trail conditions can change; check them before setting out.

Another option is the Schwarzsee–Palnock panoramic trail: it leads past Schwarzsee to Palnock and then back to the starting point. The difference lies in the destination: Schwarzsee is the focus of the circular trail, while the panoramic trail continues to Palnock.

The circular trails through the forest at Verditz are also suitable for walks and hikes well into autumn. Conditions remain weather-dependent, however. When planning, therefore, consider not only your chosen route but also the time of year.

Art along the trail and at the art house

A hiking trail runs through the grounds of the Kunstalm, where you can experience the artworks while hiking. The art-lodge sculpture park covers an approximately 1.5-hectare alpine meadow and features more than 20 sculptures and installations. Admission to the sculpture park at the art-lodge Kunstalm is free; check before your visit whether this arrangement is still in effect.

The art-lodge art house is another place to explore art. The Liesenfeld-Jordan collection there focuses on contemporary art from Austria and Germany. As the exhibition programme may change, check the current programme before visiting. This lets you make art a focus of your stay in a way that suits your interests.

Winter tours and cycling

In winter, Verditz is suitable for snowshoeing through the snow-covered forest and for climbs to the summits. These activities depend on seasonal snow conditions. Planning therefore differs considerably from the forest walks and hikes possible well into autumn.

Different cycling options are also described. Around Verditz, NOCKBIKE offers challenging freeride tours with trails reaching summits over 2,000 m high; trail availability may vary. LAKE BIKE offers trails for the whole family at all difficulty levels; here, too, trail availability may vary. The two descriptions therefore highlight different types and levels of difficulty for cycling tours.

Getting there and practical planning

Verditz can be reached by car via a toll-free, paved road. Driving conditions may be affected in winter. Verditz is about 20 minutes from the Villach/Ossiacher See exit on the A10 Tauern motorway; traffic and weather can affect travel time.

GO-MOBIL® can take hikers to the starting point of a hike or back to their accommodation. Service details may change, so check the latest information before using it. As an additional option for a break, the Schwarzseehütte serves hearty dishes prepared mostly with produce from its own farm; menu details may change.

Discover more destinations: Feistritz An Der Gail, Ledenitzen, Sankt Andrä, St. Egyden, Sankt Lambrecht, Paternion, Sankt Jakob Im Rosental, Schloß Treffen

See the regional travel overview: Villach.