Rail & Trail: “Gerlitzen – Traumbogen, a 360° Panoramic Loop Trail” (Route temporarily altered due to lift construction)

From the Annenheim train station on the narrow shore of Lake Ossiach, we float up the steep slope of the Gerlitzen massif on the legendary Gerlitzen Kanzelbahn cable car. With every meter of elevation gain, the view opens up: more of the lake, more of the panorama—simply spectacular! Carinthia’s oldest cable car was opened in 1928 specifically for summer visitors. Due to the construction of the new summit cable car in the summer of 2026, the two vintage chairlifts —the Moserbahn and the Pöllingerbahn—are currently in operation. We take them further up to the cozy terrace of the rustic Pöllinger Hütte (1,650 m), where our high-altitude loop hike begins.

In the cool shade of the magnificent spruce forest, we leisurely cross over to the southern flank of the Gerlitzen before the trail briefly becomes a bit steeper as it climbs toward the tree line —pure mountain idyll! There, the Asian Garden, with its Zen-inspired elements, invites reflection. Through the sun-drenched mountain meadows of the southern flank, we hike gently downhill toward the east, while the view sweeps seemingly boundlessly across the Carinthian lowlands. At the lowest point, we pass the headwaters of the Finsterbach, which plunges over three waterfalls—reaching heights of up to 34 meters—down into the valley near Sattendorf—a natural highlight! We then hike uphill again, past the tranquil oasis of the Felsenseen lakes, to the “Jakobsleiter” power spot. This spot invites you to reflect on space and light. With a view of the impressive Feuerberg Mountain Resort, we climb another level of terrain to reach the well-known Wetterkreuz. Once used as a trigonometric survey point, it offers a magnificent view down into Lake Ossiach—a “wow” moment! Soon after, we’ll be standing at the summit of the Gerlitzen (1,909 m). Congratulations! On its expansive grassy summit, a feeling of being on top of the world washes over you: the world of lakes, towering mountain giants, gentle ridges… Carinthia at its finest. Passing the popular viewing platform at the English Tower, we stroll across green ski slopes to the Alpengasthof Pacheiner, where culinary delights and magnificent panoramic views complete the mountain bliss. Comfortable alpine roads then lead us back down at a leisurely pace to the rustic Pöllinger Hütte, our starting point.