Impressive gorges, unforgettable views, and hiking in a memorizing alpine landscape are what we experienced during four days in Mölltal in northwestern Carinthia.
We were looking for outdoor adventures slightly off the beaten track, and hiking friends recommended Mölltal Carinthia. The tip turned out to be a success, and we got rewarded with fantastic hiking adventures. Moreover, the views of the fantastic landscape were also outstanding.
Stunning hikes
Mölltal is a small valley in the northwest of Carinthia, located at the foot of the High Tauern mountain range. The region includes some of the highest peaks in Austria and offers truly stunning hikes. We used the village Flattach as a base for our excursions in the Mölltal region. It’s always a good idea to get some inside info before exploring the area, we visited the local tourist office. They recommended we start with an exciting hike through an impressive gorge.
Raggaschlucht gorge
Raggaschlucht is short but spectacular. Nonetheless, the approximately 800-meter-long gorge offered a great nature experience. Our adventure started with a leisurely walk through the forest along the river, and to the mouth of the gorge. From here, we followed safe wooden walkways winding their way up through the narrow gorge. Nonetheless, be aware that the walkways can be slippery. Shoes with non-slip soles are highly recommended. Furthermore, the walkways are quite steep at times. In addition to enjoying nature, we also picked up some knowledge along the way. Practical boards, in German and English, offer information about the canyon’s origin and geology. Hiking to the top takes about 1.5 hours. From here, a forest road takes you back to the starting point in 20 minutes. Along the way, you can catch glimpses of the Mölltal.
< Click on the images to enlarge >
Mölltaler Glacier
Next up on our itinerary was hiking at the Mölltaler Glacier. The glacier itself has shrunk markedly during the last decades and is not very exciting. Nevertheless, whether you are hiking, skiing, or simply enjoying the view from 3000 meters altitude, the trip is worth the money. You can either hike up the mountain or use the more comfortable and much faster funicular. It takes you from the valley at (1250 m) and up to the middle station (2234 m), in only 14 minutes. From the middle station, you continue by cable car up to the top station at 2800 m. We opted to go even higher up, and went for a 20-minute hike, from the top station to the chairlift. It takes you up to 3122 meters. From here you can head out on several marked hiking trails that take you far into the mountains. If you want to ski on the glacier, you have to use the same chairlift. At this altitude, the views are truly breathtaking. On the horizon, we could see the Grossglockner 3,798 m (12,461 ft), Austria’s highest mountain.
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Easy and scenic family walk
Besides the high-altitude hiking trails, there are plenty of easy walks in the area as well. We made a lovely walk into the Seebachtal valley. The about 8-kilometre-long walk is one of the easiest, but also among the most beautiful nature experiences we have had in the Alps. The hike follows the mostly flat valley bottom along a dirt road. At the end of the valley, you find a mountain hut offering food and drink. This hike is suitable for families with children or those not ready for mountain hiking. Read the full article about the Seebachtal walk here.
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Falkenstein Castle
We always try to visit a medieval castle when travelling around Austria. In Mölltal we added Burg Falkenstein to the list. Nobody knows exactly when the castle was built, but it was first mentioned in written sources in 1164. The castle has been altered many times, but it gained much of its current appearance in the last century. Falkenstein Castle is privately owned but offers guided tours on request. We joined an interesting 1-hour tour, that gave us access to most of the castle and took us on a journey through history. It gave us glimpses into the life of the castle, which was inhabited from the Middle Ages to 2004. A highlight was the keep, from where we got a brilliant view of the valley. Falkenstein Castle is open from June to September.
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