Discover the highlights in the "Nocky Mountains"
Where would you like to start your exploratory tour through the ‘Nocky Mountains’? In Innerkrems? Or would you prefer Ebene Reichenau? It’s entirely up to you! And wherever you begin your tour, you’ll realise it is worth it! After all, on the 34 km Nockalm Road you get to enjoy new perspectives in every direction and incomparably lovely views. Along with the charming routing, Nockalm Road will inspire you with its indoor and outdoor adventures – from interesting exhibitions, to breath-taking viewing points and cosy Alpine lodges, play areas and wonderful natural spectacles. Discover the highlights of this ‘pleasure’ road with us!
Experience worlds along the Nockalm Road for all ages
Discover the highlights along the Nockalm Road – starting with number 1, coming from Innerkrems. You can of course experience all the attractions of the Nockalm Road from the south too – in that case, simply start at the final point, enjoying the highlights from Ebene Reichenau.
Experience world 1: Innerkrems, 1500 m
A late medieval mining settlement, where at one time miners extracted iron ore, today is a well-known holiday and winter sport destination. Nockalm Road begins and ends around one kilometre from the centre of the town.
EXPERIENCE WORLD 2: Penkerhütte, 1790 m
The Penkerhütte is situated in a quiet, idyllic location just a few minutes' walk from the Nockalm Road. Whilst enjoying a traditional Brettljause snack with products from our own dairy, you will get to know and love the authenticity of alpine life. Open from June to October: overnight stays in rustic rooms are possible.
Experience world 3: Nockalmhof Biosphere reserve Center, 1700 m
In Nockalmhof Biosphere Reserve Center various exhibitions and information about the Biosphere rePark itself await you. And of course your corporeal well-being is catered for in the Nockalmhof too, while in the shop you will come across regional produce and souvenirs as keepsakes of your excursion. Free entry daily from 10:30 to 16:30 (extended opening hours when the weather is good). Bus tours welcome!
Experience world 4: Heiligenbachhütte, 1850 m
Just 150 metres from the Nockalm Road is Heiligenbachhütte – an Alpine dairy with snack station, where you can enjoy Alpine cheese and a home-made snack platter. Also here: a delightful collection of butter moulds, lace doilies and wall coverings. Open June to October. Holiday apartments with a total of ten beds available to rent.
Experience world 5: ‘Wild Nock Mountains’ exhibition in Pfandlhütte, 1877 m
The Pfandlhütte, which is directly on the Nockalm Road, is well-known for its traditional cuisine and delicious Carinthian treats. The animal exhibition ‘Wilde Nockberge’ on the first floor of the lodge is well worth seeing and provides information about all the inhabitants of the Alps. Free entry daily from 10:30 to 16:30 (extended opening hours when the weather is nice).
Experience world 6: Zechneralm and the Alpine farming museum, 1900 m
What was life and work like for people on the Alpine pastures? Answers to this question are provided in the unique Alpine farming museum on the Zechneralm which has a farmers’ market where you can purchase agricultural produce from the Nock Mountains. Right next to the exhibition, children have space to run about on the ‘Marmot Burrow’ adventure playground. The Zechneralm, which is renowned for its sophisticated, yet down-to-earth cuisine, is open from the start of May until the end of October – tour groups welcome (Voranmeldung über die Website erbeten). Tip: the Zechneralm is an excellent starting point for hikes.
Experience world 7: the Eisentalhöhe – highest point on the Nockalm Road, 2042 m
From the viewing platform you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Nockalm area, with panoramic display boards providing information about the key summits that you can see from here. There is also a little shop with spike lavender products, a Bistro and a biker’s point, complete with biker safes. The Eisentalhöhe is also an ideal starting point for short hikes – for instance to the Königstuhl or the Eisentalhöhe.
Experience world 8: Karlbad – an Alpine rarity, 1693 m
Over 300 years old, Karlbad is a genuine rarity! Spring water from the Karlquelle is channelled via larchwood troughs and heated to around 40 °C with hot stones. The troughs in which spa guests lie, are covered with a board – with an opening left for their heads – so none of the beneficial steam escapes. The bath is not open to visitors in the mornings during spa opening times – the bathing season runs from mid-June until mid-September. You can pay a visit to the spa bath from 13:00. There is a small play area next to the building. Definitely sample their own distilled schnapps! Overnight stay and full board option available.
Experience world 9: Tangernerhütte, 1715 m
Tangernhütte is about a 20-minute walk from the car park on the Nockalm Road, which is suitable for buses too. Tangernerhütte is a traditional Alpine dairy lodge with snack station, serving home-produced Carinthian specialities, including cheese, schnapps, liqueurs and snack platters. Ideal for children: the children’s play area and lots of animals! Open from the start of June until the start of October; overnight stay option available.
This Alpine lodge, popular with locals and guests alike, is around a 45-minute walk from the starting point ‘Auf der Sackltratte’ on the Nockalm Road. The easy route is very well suited to families. At the Stangalm which has its own Alpine dairy, farmer Ewald Brence’s own-bred Boarder Collies are an attraction; together they watch over more than 200 cattle.
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A magical highlight on the Nockalm Road. A unique encounter with nature in the ‘Silva Magica’ park where everything revolves around nature’s secrets and magical natural creatures. Explore the circular walking route which has artistically designed stations, relax on the energy loungers and learn exciting information on the geo trail. In the Grundalm a free exhibition awaits – ‘Trees as survivalists’ – open daily from 10:30 to 16:30. Extended opening hours when the weather is nice. Incidentally, both the exhibition and the natural discovery park are barrier-free!
At the end of ‘Silva Magica’ walk for around 20 minutes to get to the Wolitzenhütte, where a petting zoo awaits infants, with sweet animals and a fun water adventure world. You can also refuel with produce from their own Alpine dairy, and stay the night in an Alpine inn if you like.
On the first floor of Glockenhütte you get to explore the natural history exhibition complete with multivisual display of the Nockberge Biosphere reserve. The myth-enshrouded Wunschglocke is on the Schiestlscharte – anyone who rings it can make a wish. The lodge also has a farmers’ market and shop with farm produce. In the main building there is a restaurant with sun terrace and Biker’s Point. Open from May to October, motorcyclists and bus tours welcome. Specific menu suggestions for bus tours.
An educational nature trail - ‘Alpine communities’ - proceeds around Windebensee, a mountain lake set amidst wonderful scenery (walking time: approx. 20 mins). Also worth seeing: the numerous stone pine trees that grow in the adjoining woodlands. A path of around 400 metres proceeds from the Windebensee up to the Glockenhütte (walking time: approx. 15 mins).
Another highlight on the Nockalm Road is the 1.5 kilometre circular ‘Elements path’ with stone circles and brief descriptions for exercises that bring you in direct connection with the elements - wood, light, air, earth, water and stone. All your senses will be stimulated - hearing, sight, taste, smell and touch – all of which the unbelievably varied natural surroundings on the Elements path provides. The parking point on the road is also suitable for buses.
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New acquisition!
Even at the time of the Celts, the village was the final resting point before the ascent to Turracher Höhe. The administration are of Nocky Mountain Biosphere Reserve is located here. You can contact them at www.biosphaerenparknockberge.at