Hiking Tour Auernig-High Altitude Trail (and Geo-Trail)
This special and easily accessible mass grave at the summit of the Auernig is situated in an approximately eight metres thick dark-grey bed of limestone and geologists have named it „s“. The mass grave contains the grain-like shells of Fusulinida with a size of up to one centimetre. Fusulinida are extinct, single-celled marine creatures with a rice corn-like calcareous shell. Net-like remains of bryozoans, calcareous algae and tiny shells from ostracodes can also be found here. Especially remarkable is that silicic acid solutions have transformed the shells into pure quartz. Since quartz is more weather-resistant than limestone, the Fusulinida protrude from the limestone and are therefore easily visible to the naked eye. They are less visible in freshly broken limestone. The habitat of the Fusulinida was a maritime area with still, flat waters near the coast. A large joint limestone plate of almost consistent proportions could form since no debris from the mainland entered the waters at the time.
A first glimpse
Some impressions of the tour
Directions
Starting at the car park, follow path 403 in direction Watschinger Alm at the border crossing, passing the small Nassfeld Church on the way. After around 300 m on path 403, turn right and follow the steeper but very beautiful alpine ascent, leading through Stauden to the Auernig summit. Walk a short distance back to the Auernig Saddle and then take the steep ascent to the Große Auernig. Now descending and passing beneath the summits of the Garnitzenberg and the Gugga, carry on to the Garnitzentörl and cross the Carnic High Altitude Trail 403 here. The steep path 411 leads to the upper terminus of the Gartnerkofel chair lift, from where we return to the Nassfeldpass.
Location and how to find us
The Nassfeld-Pressegger See holiday region lies in the Austrian province of Carinthia, directly next to the Italian border.
