Author’s recommendation
At Graslitzen, you can luckily see chamois, and the pilgrimage church of St. Steben is also very interesting.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
Surefootedness and a head for heights are required.Tips and suggestions
Places to eat: Gasthof Rubenthaler in Förolach or Gasthof Smole in St. Stefan;
The Julius Kugy Tri-border Trail, a long-distance hiking trail in Slovenia, Friuli, and Carinthia, also passes over Spitzegel. More information can be found on the website https://www.julius-kugy-alpine-trail.com/
Roadbook
From the car park below the cemetery next to the B 111, we head north, past a fountain, and come to a gravel pit. Immediately east of it, trail no. 54 leads north into the forest – turn left before the cattle grid!! Steep, rocky pine forests accompany us until at around 1450 m altitude a clearing with the so-called “walled” hunting lodge appears; it takes about 2 1/2 hours to get here. From here, there is a beautiful valley view of Lake Presseggersee. From now on, we climb over rocky grassy steep slopes to the Förolacher Saddle, 1840 m, and reach the summit after 4 hours via the ridge-like back heading east on path 229, with magnificent views. From there, we continue east along the not very exposed ridge; to the north below us is the St. Stefaner Alm. We take a short break at the summit cross on the secondary summit. Then we descend via path 229 to the Köstendorfer Alm and the so-called Geißrücken, 1500 m. For the descent, we take path 56 from here, which leads steeply and partly slippery to the interesting late Gothic church of St. Steben at 1004 m. From there, it takes about 45 minutes via trail 56 back to the starting point.
St. Steben
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the bus or train to the Görtschach/Förolach stop. Timetables can be found at www.oebb.at.- If you arrive by train, walk about 15 minutes north from the train station to the hill towards Förolach.
Directions
From Villach:From the south motorway A2, take the Hermagor exit, continue on the B111 to Förolach, turn right shortly after the gas station, and park in the car park at the cemetery.
From Hermagor:
Drive on the B111 towards Villach until Förolach, turn left at the church, and park directly there.
Parking
Parking is available at the car park in Förolach below the cemetery.The car park can be full on Sundays during mass times and at funerals.
Coordinates
Equipment
Normal hiking equipment with good footwear.Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions