Rail & Trail "Flatschacher See - natural idyll in the Feldkirch hills"

We start in the wide trough valley of the Tiebelbach, the tributary of Lake Ossiach, at the lonely Tiffen railroad station. We follow the Tiffner stream uphill. After a short warm-up on a beautiful meadow path along its banks and through a small forest ditch, its side valley widens out. We continue uphill on quiet, rural residential roads - initially through the rural village of Tiffen. By the way: Tiffen is considered one of Carinthia's original parishes. Both the (fortified) church and the former castle are located on a spur on the left above us. Along the way, rural architectural details, intact orchards, grazing cattle in settlements, ... convey a lively rural idyll. Shortly after the end of the settlement of Nadling, we have reached the plateau of the Feldkirchner Hügelland. Congratulations! The landscape becomes lonelier. Natural mixed forest interspersed with rural oases characterize the picture. We walk gently up and down along rural gravel roads and short stretches of asphalt to the picturesque Flatschacher See lake - embedded in a large nature reserve - a natural highlight! The most natural view of the lake can be enjoyed as soon as you arrive at its southern corner. And yes: swimming is allowed at the lido (even free of charge). The leisurely loop around the lake offers access to the popular Staudacher snack station and leads through the nature reserve on the way back. On the descent, we follow the Flatschach stream down through the idyllic Körausgraben. Later, the route leads through residential areas into the historic heart of Feldkirchen - to the Bamberg Amthof and the main square! The unusual townscape makes you think a little (resolution: see "Author's tip"). The Feldkirchen train station is soon reached via historic streets.