Rail & Trail "Warmbad Villach - Roman road, summit happiness & hot springs"

This circular walk begins at Villach Warmbad railroad station. To start with, the modern architecture of the thermal spa attracts attention: clear lines characterize the front, while the back impresses with its stylized, jagged rock look. The path leads through the charming spa gardens and then over a small step to a forest plateau on the slopes of the Dobratsch. We soon hike uphill on the idyllic Roman road through atmospheric mixed forest along the mountain flank. This important traffic route once connected the Roman homeland with the province of Noricum. Even today, deep grooves and steps tell of ancient traffic - a highlight! A hidden view of the Studenca waterfall reveals the fascination of the Dorbratsch Nature Park. Near the saddle, the forest oasis of the fairytale meadow invites you to relax and unwind. Shortly afterwards, the mystical Studenca karst spring (cold water) will delight you - a temporary natural spectacle! On the other side of the saddle, the trail descends through mountain forest with views of meadows to the settlement of Oberfederaun. This is where the ascent to the rustic forest ridge on the edge of the valley begins. Next to the bold ruins of Federaun castle, a viewing balcony opens up wide views of the Gail river valley. The shunting station and the highway bear witness to the importance of this transport axis today. On the way back, we hike through wonderful mixed forests: first on leisurely forest paths, then on natural hiking trails back to the forest plateau above Warmbad.

We circle the Napoleon meadow and begin the ascent to the summit. The trail leads higher up through the beautiful mixed forest. The panoramic meadow path on the Genottehöhe invites you to take a breather. Back in the forest, we reach the forest summit of the Tscheltschnigkogel (696 m) - congratulations! The view sweeps across the Villach basin to the Karawanken. "It's my life!" goes through my head with a smile. The descent leads past the mystical Durezza-Schachthöhle cave to the forest plateau and past the regionally famous Maibachl - a temporary, warm spring - to the departure station.