Julius Kugy three-country trail in 30 stages - E 2

Directions

Starting point: Klagenfurter Hütte, 1,664 m, accessible by bus (postbus.at) from Villach or Klagenfurt to Feistritz im Rosental, then via Trail No. 663; 4.30 hrs (counterclockwise: by bus from Klagenfurt to Ferlach, then continue on trails No. 653, 20, 662; 7.30 hrs) 

Route 2b/Start at Klagenfurter Hütte: From the Sparkassenplatz stop in Ferlach, 500 m, to the Tscheppaschlucht. From there (from the “Tschaukofinger”) along the Kugyweg to the Klagenfurter Hütte (if hiking counterclockwise). Moderately difficult mountain hike: 7.30 hours, 18.1 km, 1,390 meters of elevation gain and 190 meters of elevation loss. 

Route 2a/Start at Koschutahaus: From the Sparkassenplatz stop in Ferlach, 500 m to the Tscheppaschlucht (Deutscher Peter turnoff, Trail No. 653). From “Deutscher Peter,” continue on the Kugyweg to the Koschutahaus. Strenuous mountain hike: 9.30 hours, 24 km, 1,900 m elevation gain and 1,080 m elevation loss.

Alternative 1: At the Ogrisbauer farm, continue straight ahead on the Südalpenweg 03 to the Sereinig family farm (saves: 1.5 km, 30 min.).

Alternative 2: About 400 m east of the Sereinig family farm, follow the Südalpenweg 03 to the right (southeast) and hike downhill past the Pagitz estate to the “Deutscher Peter” guesthouse (Saves: 40 min., 2.2 km, and 80 m elevation gain on the ascent and 110 m on the descent).

Alternative 3: Inthe village of Male (at the entrance to the Hainschgraben), follow the Kärntner Grenzweg and the Panoramaweg Südalpen to the left and uphill (east) (Saves: 20 min., 1.5 km, and 20 Hm uphill).

Note: If you wish to skip the second part of Stage 2: At the “Tschaukofinger,” leave the long-distance hiking trail/Kugyweg and hike through the Tscheppa Gorge to Ferlach. Take the ÖBB bus (postbus.at) or a taxi from the Stefaner taxi company, Tel. +43 4228 200, master@stefaner.at, to Zell-Sele and from there walk along the access road to the Koschutahaus (time saved between the Tscheppaschlucht and the Koschutahaus: approx. 4.00 hours, 10 km, and 1,100 meters of elevation gain on the ascent and 400 meters on the descent).

Summit destinations/options:Kosiak, 360 meters of elevation gain, 1.20 hours, blue; Bielschitza, 305 Hm, 1.30 Std., red; Lärchenberg, 730 Hm, 2.10 Std., black.

Water: 3 tapped springs, 3 wells, and 5 streams. 

BRIEF ROUTE DESCRIPTION: 

Klagenfurter Hut–Matschacher Saddle–Stinzesteig/662–Ogris Alm/Southern Alps Trail 603/KGW/Southern Alps Panorama Trail–Gh. Bodenbauer/20–Meerauge–Gh. Sereinig–Tscheppaschlucht (western section with Tschaukofall)/662/20/Panorama Trail of the Southern Alps–Dr. Tschauko Nature Trail/Panorama Trail of the Southern Alps–Deutscher Peter/B 91–Eselsattel–Winkel–Male/639/KGW/Southern Alps Panorama Trail–Hainschgraben/Waterfall–Gornikmühle/650–Junction/649–Malealm–Pischenzasattel–north Koschuta (Windhöhe/Hohe Spitze/Lärchenturm)—Koschutahaus/Southern Alps Trail 603/KGW/Southern Alps Panorama Trail/647

DETAILED ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

1. From the hut, we hike east/northeast, southeast of the Gaisberg and the Kosiak, to the Matschacher Sattel, following the Südalpenweg 03 (SAW), the Kärntner Grenzweg (KGW), the Südalpen Panorama Trail (PSA), and Trail No. 662—we pass through a nature reserve. In a left-hand bend, we head down toward the Stinzesteig, which is partially secured with ropes—about 200 m before the Ogris Alm, Trail No. 662 joins from the right Trail No. 662 joins from the right below—we continue straight ahead to the unstaffed Ogris Alm hut and take our first break, 2.3 km, 1,564 m.

2. We hike past the east side of the Kosmatitza and, after about 2.3 km, reach the Ogrisbauer clearing—here we leave Trail No. 603 (or the KGW) and head at an acute angle along Trail No. 20 (formerly 10) and the “Märchenhafte Augenblicke” loop, heading south into the Bodental valley, past the Rijautzablick viewpoint, and down to the Singerbergblick rest area. 

ALTERNATIVE 1: At Ogrisbauer, do not follow Trail No. 20 (formerly 10) at an acute angle; instead, stay on the main farm road (HWW) or Südalpenweg 03 and continue to the Sereinig family farm (saves 1.5 km and 30 minutes of walking time).

3. After a left turn, we hike past the Bodenbauer estate to the east and, after about 200 m, follow trails No. 662 and 20 to the left at an information stand toward the “Meerauge”—on the way back, we turn left, toward the northeast. After about 1.1 km, we leave the main farm road (HWW) at an intersection and hike straight ahead along a nature trail to the Sereinig family farm, visible from afar, and to a chapel (2nd break, 8 km, 1010 m).

4. We walk briefly north toward the Bodenbach stream and an old mill—here we rejoin the long-distance hiking trails (WWW). Afterward, we turn east, always parallel to the stream—after about 400 m, we leave Trail No. 03, which branches off to the right (a shortcut into the Loibltal valley to the “Deutscher Peter”), and after about 800 m, we cross an HWW.

ALTERNATIVE 2: About 300 m east of the Sereinig family farm, leave the Bodenbach at a right angle heading south to reach the “Deutscher Peter” inn via the Pagitz estate, just south of the B 91 (savings: 2 km and 40 min walking time). Deutscher Peter (saves: 2 km and 40 min walking time).

5. We stay on the Southern Alps Panorama Trail and follow trail marker No. 20, passing the “Puffersäge” rest area (information board marking the start of the Tscheppa Gorge) and reaching the Tschauko Falls. Near the Teufelsbrücke, we turn right (southwest) at an information sign—following the Dr. Tschauko Nature Trail, we reach Federal Highway B 91. We turn right again (southwest) and immediately right down to the Loiblbach—after about 300 m, we head back uphill and reach the Deutscher Peter Inn (3rd, long break, 12.3 km, 711 m) ( see NOTE).

6. We continue hiking south along the Loibl Road (B 91) and meet the Südalpenweg 03 (shortcut) coming from the right—after another 100 m, we follow the Panoramaweg Südalpen, the Südalpenweg 03, and Trail No. 639 to the left, east. After about 1.3 km, we come to a signpost—here we leave the Südalpenweg 03 and hike to the right, south, toward the Eselsattel and a wayside shrine (south of the Zeller Grintoutz) (4th break, 14.8 km, 1,170 m).

7. A HWW trail leads us south of the foothills of the Ferlacher Horn toward the east to Winkel and the Franzbauer estate—immediately afterward, we continue down a HWW trail toward the southeast. Just before the Zellwinkler LStr., we leave the HWW, head southeast, cross the Zell-Oberwinkler Str., and head toward the Tomk estate. After about 900 m, we cross an access road and, after about 400 m, reach the Zellwinkler local road—after about 900 m, we reach the village of Male on the paved road, where the abandoned elementary school is located (5th break, 20 km, 680 m).

ALTERNATIVE 3: At the village of Male (at the entrance to the Hainschgraben), follow the Kärntner Grenzweg and the Panoramaweg to the left and uphill (saves: 1.5 km and 50 min walking time).

8. After about 150 m, we leave the Zellwinkler-LStr and the Ribnitza Stream on the right (south) and enter the Hainschgraben via Trail No. 650—after about 30 m, the two WWW trails branch off to the left and uphill. We hike to the “Hainschgraben Water Adventure Trail” and leave the HWW after about 400 m, turning slightly left toward S—we cross the Hainschbach three times, admire the waterfall, and reach the Gornik Mill after about 2 km (6th break, 23 km, 900 m).

9. From the Schaumühle, leaving Trail No. 650, we head at an acute angle toward the north along a HWW (Hainschgraben Water Trail) marked with Trail No. 649, ascending to a cross-trail—here we rejoin the two WWWs and Trail No. 647. We turn right, heading southeast, and leave the HWW by continuing straight ahead, hiking up a natural trail to the Malealm Hut (7th break, 25.7 km, 1,220 m).

10. We head southeast, cross a HWW, and leave the alpine pasture after about 300 m—we hike up in switchbacks north of the Skarbina to the Pischenzasattel (1,392 m). At the trail junction, we turn right, SE—the trail markers lead us (partly through a cirque) close to the northern foothills of the Pungrat, the Windhöhe, Hohe Spitze, and the Lärchenriegel (8th break, 27.8 km, 1,460 m).

11. After a left turn, we meet the hiking trail coming from the left (from the “bösen Graben”) marked with trail no. 646 and the Südalpenweg 603—we turn right and downhill following the three WWW symbols and trail no. 647. Just before the Naturfreundehaus, we leave the three WWW signs behind by continuing straight ahead toward the information boards—immediately afterward, we reach the end of this stage: the Koschutahaus (29.5 km, 1,280 m).

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E: EXACT DIRECTIONS:

1. From the hut, we hike in an E/NE direction southeast of the Gaisberg/Kosiak toward the Matschacher Sattel, following the Südalpenweg 03 (SAW), Kärntner Grenzweg (KGW), Panoramaweg Südalpen (PSA), and trail no. 662—we walk through a nature reserve. Turning left, we head down toward the Stinzesteig, which is partially secured with ropes—about 200 m before the Ogris Alm joins from the right. Below is trail no. 662—we continue straight ahead to the unstaffed Ogris Alpine hut and take our first break, 2.3 km, 1,564 m

. 2. We hike east past the Kosmatitza and after approximately 2.3 km reach the Ogrisbauer clearing—here we leave trail no. 603 or the KGW and walk at a sharp angle along trail no. 20 (formerly 10) and the “Fairytale Moments” loop toward the south into the Bodental valley, past Rijautzablick, down to the Singerbergblick rest area.

ALTERNATIVE 1: Do not follow the trail number at Ogrisbauer. 20 (formerly 10) at an acute angle, but stay on the main farm route (HWW) or Südalpenweg 03 and walk to the Sereinig family farm (saves: 1.5 km and 30 minutes of walking time).

3. After turning left, we walk east of the Bodenbauer property and, after about 200 m, take trail no. 662 and 20 to the left at an information stand toward the “Meerauge”—on the way back, we turn left, toward the northeast. After about 1.1 km, we leave the main farm road (HWW) at an intersection and walk straight ahead along a natural path to the Sereinig family farm, which can be seen from a distance, and to a chapel (2nd break, 8 km, 1010 m).

4. We walk briefly north toward the Bodenbach and an old mill—here we rejoin the long-distance hiking trails (WWW). Then we turn east, always parallel to the stream—after about 400 m we leave the trail on the right, route no. 03 (shortcut into the Loibltal to Deutscher Peter), and after about 800 m we cross an HWW.

ALTERNATIVE 2: Approximately 300 m east of the Sereinig family farm, leave the Bodenbach at a right angle to the south to reach the Deutschen Peter inn via the Pagitz estate just south of the B 91 (saves: 2 km and 40 min walking time).

5. We stay on the Southern Alps Panorama Trail (No. 20), pass the “Puffersäge” rest area (information board about the start of the Tscheppa Gorge), and reach the Tschauko Falls. Near the Devil’s Bridge, we turn right (southwest) along the Dr. nature trail at an information board. In Tschauko, we reach the B 91 federal highway. We turn right again (southwest) and immediately right. We descend to the Loiblbach—after about 300 m, we climb again and reach the Gh. Deutscher Peter (3rd, long break, 12.3 km, 711 m) (see NOTE).

6. We continue walking south along Loiblstrasse B 91 and meet the Südalpenweg 03 (shortcut) coming from the right—after another 100 m, we follow the Panoramaweg Südalpen, the Südalpenweg 03, and trail no. 639 to the left, east. After approx. 1.3 km, we come to a HWW—here we leave the Südalpenweg 03 and hike to the right, south, to the Eselsattel and to a wayside shrine (south of the Zeller Grintoutz) (4th break, 14.8 km, 1,170 m).

7. A HWW takes us south of the foothills of the Ferlacher Horn in an easterly direction to Winkel and the Franzbauer estate—immediately afterward, we continue down a HWW in a southeasterly direction. Just before Zellwinkler LStr., we leave the HWW, head southeast, cross Zell-Oberwinkler-Str., and walk toward the Tomk estate. After about 900 m, we cross an access road, and after about 400 m, we reach Zellwinkler-LStr.—after about 900 m, we arrive at the village of Male, with its abandoned elementary school, via the paved path (5th break, 20 km, 680 m).

ALTERNATIVE 3: At the village of Male (at the entrance to Hainschgraben), take the Carinthian Border Trail and the Panorama Trail to the left. Follow the route described above (saving: 1.5 km and 50 min walking time).

8. After approx. 150 m, we leave the Zellwinkler-LStr and the Ribnitza Stream to the right (south) and enter the Hainschgraben via trail no. 650—after approx. 30 m, the two WWW trails branch off to the left. We hike to the “Hainschgraben Water Adventure Trail” and leave the HWW after about 400 m, turning slightly left toward the south—we cross the Hainschbach three times, admire the waterfall, and after about 2 km we reach the Gornik Mill (6th break, 23 km, 900 m).

9. From the Schaumühle, leaving trail no. 650, we walk at an acute angle toward the north along a hiking trail marked with trail no. 649 up to a junction—here we meet the two WWWs and trail no. 647 again. We turn right, toward the southeast, and leave the HWW, continuing straight ahead and hiking on a natural path up to the Malealm hut (7th break, 25.7 km, 1220 m).

10. We head southeast, cross a high-altitude trail, and leave the alpine pasture after about 300 m—we hike in switchbacks north of the Skarbina up to the Pischenzasattel (1392 m). At the trail junction, we turn right, heading southeast—the trail markers lead us (partly through the cirque) close to the northern foothills of the Pungrat, the Windhöhe, Hohe Spitze, and the Lärchenriegel (8th break, 27.8 km, 1,460 m).

11. After a left turn, we meet the hiking trail coming from the left (from the “Evil Ditch”) marked with trail no. 646 and the Südalpenweg 603—we turn right, following the three WWWs and trail no. 647 below. Just before the Naturfreundehaus, we leave the three WWWs behind by continuing straight ahead toward the information boards—immediately afterward, we reach our destination: the Koschutahaus (29.5 km, 1,280 m).

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