Church St. Steben 1,004 m

Level of difficulty: Medium

8.2 km

Distance
2.6 h

Duration
611 vm

Lowest elevation
1005 vm

Highest elevation
606 vm
606 vm

Church St. Steben 1,004 m

From Görtschach/Förolach train station first via a country road to Förolach. The ascent from Förolach starts on a paved, later gravel road. After about 20 minutes, a fairly steep but easy path begins leading to the church.

The return follows a forest road, later descending via a path to the forest edge, then along the forest edge to a forest road through the meadows. Continue on this road westward until you reach the start of the path to St. Steben again. From here, return on the same route as the ascent.

Suggestion

In spring, there are many snow roses along the entire route.

In the Siebenbrünn Moor, there are many plants on the red list, such as the lung gentian, the swamp helleborine (an orchid species), and the long-leaved sundew (a carnivorous plant).

After passing the Siebenbrünner springs, it is worth making a short detour eastward, up to a cattle gate at most. Here you can admire a beautiful meander formation of the stream flowing there, below the path.

In winter, the descent path is popular with ski tourers and snowshoe walkers.

Equipment

Normal hiking equipment; sturdy footwear is recommended.

Directions

From Villach:
From the South Motorway A2, exit Hermagor, continue on B111 to Förolach, shortly after the gas station turn right and park in the lot at the cemetery.

From Hermagor:
Drive on B111 towards Villach to Förolach, turn left at the church and park directly there.

A first glimpse

Some impressions of the tour

Directions

From the bus stop on the B 111 or from the car park in front of the church uphill through the village, past the fountain to the forest. Then over the grazing pasture to the east on a gravel road. Follow this road for about 0.7 km, then turn left onto the forest path and about 300 m later turn left again onto a forest path, shortly afterwards the steep climb begins, which leads uphill with several hairpin bends and curves. After about 50 minutes from the starting point, you will reach a wayside shrine with a wonderful view of the valley and Lake Presseggersee. From there it is another 10 minutes to the pilgrimage church.

The descent leads from the church along a forest path in an easterly direction. After approx. 400 metres you come to a signposted turn-off downhill. This is not taken, but only after approx. 1.2 km. From here, follow a path down through the forest to the tree line and then along it until you reach a forest path. Continue along this in a westerly direction, past the many bubbling springs that gave this area its name.

The path continues in a westerly direction across pastureland, after a while it comes to a forest path, leads through a farm and then back across pastureland to another estate. After a short time, you pass this and reach the turn-off for the ascent to St. Steben.

Now take the same route back to the starting point of the tour.

More info