Dobratsch, 2166 m

Exciting on the Villach local mountain

The mighty massif of the Villach Alps with the Dobratsch as the highest peak separates the Gail valley in the south from the Drava valley in the north. Like an island mountain, it is characterized by a comprehensive view. The proximity to the town of Villach and the Villach Alpine Road, which is accessible all year round, make the Villach Alps a popular destination in both summer and winter. In addition to many interesting stops along the toll road, including an alpine flower garden, the culmination point is the Rosstratte at its end: viewing balcony, refreshment station, children's playground, and starting point for the summit ascent. A service road leads as a narrow sandy road from here to the Dobratsch summit house. Next to the futuristically designed hut, a huge ORF transmission mast adorns the summit, giving it a distinctive profile. Besides these modern elements, the summit also features two beautiful old buildings, two Marian churches from the 17th century: on the ridge height, the German Church, one of the highest pilgrimage churches in Europe, and just below the summit, tucked into the steep southwest flank, the small Windic Church. However, the Dobratsch Nature Park has even more treasures; the name "Schütt" alone makes us listen up: in 1348, a severe earthquake shook the town of Villach and its surroundings and caused a massive rockslide at the Dobratsch – huge amounts of rock thundering down from the Red Wall into the depths. Recent research has revealed, however, that the Schütt also contains rock from older landslides. Today, the primeval landscape of the Schütt is one of the most interesting areas to observe the development of a unique flora and fauna of warmth-loving plants and animals undisturbed by human interventions. Here, sand vipers, emerald lizards, the small German scorpion, and numerous butterflies find their habitat. On the gladiolus meadow on the outskirts of Oberschütt, the Illyrian gladiolus, a Mediterranean plant that has its only site in Austria here, blooms in June.