A SLOW TRAIL on Lake Wörthersee could not start more beautifully: at the boat landing stage in Velden, hikers are greeted by the imposing mustard-yellow facade of the well-known Schlosshotel in Velden. The feeder road to the actual course of the trail takes us initially along the promenade past the back of Casino Velden up to the main street in Velden.
Only a few kilometers later we pass the starting point of the SLOW TRAIL at the Franzosenkirche. While a short part of the route leads us through the outskirts of Velden, the actual hiking experience begins with the entrance to the Roman Gorge.
The path climbs gently along the Göriacher Bach stream up to the Römerbrücke bridge. The combination of the gentle babbling of the brook and the rustling of the green canopy of leaves convey a decelerating feeling and invite you to pause.
At the Römerbrücke bridge, the path runs sharply to the right and leads slightly uphill on a wide, easily passable path in the direction of the Forstsee lake.
This idyllically situated natural lake is a popular destination for wild bathers, hikers, runners, fishermen or simply nature lovers almost all year round. The approx. 3 km long trail to the Forstsee offers alternating well hikable forest trails, combined with challenging single trails.
Past a wrought-iron memorial cross, the well-marked trail leads partly through ferns and grasses. Here, early morning hikes may already get some morning dew on your clothing.
The beginning of the Forstsee area is marked by a trail barrier. On the generous wide path you quickly discover the Forstsee to the right.
The SLOW TRAIL circles the Forstsee almost completely, with the north side still directly along the shore of the Forstsee. The trail along the south side initially leads us somewhat away from the lake, into a very atmospheric stretch with beautiful, easily walkable hiking trails.
Occasionally we meet hikers. In the back third of the lake loop, the path leads over small footbridges close to short towering rock walls. Here you almost walk over the water. However, the trail is well secured and easy to follow even for less experienced hikers.
The next goal of the trail is the view "Hohes Kreuz". To do this, you briefly leave the specified hiking trail to have a fantastic view over the entire Velden Bay, the Karawanken and Julian Alps.
Back on the actual SLOW TRAIL, it's then briskly downhill back to the center of Velden.
The Forstsee is a popular nudist bathing place in the summer months!
Ascent: 165 m
Descent: 165 m
Minimum Altitude: 491 m
Maximum Altitude: 658 m
Length: 6.9 km
Duration: 120 min
Difficulty: medium
Condition:
Experience:
Landscape:
Arrival by train, bus or ship Velden possible
Free parking at the ice rink Velden, Köstenberger Straße 3.
From the parking lot at the Franzosenkirche along the signposted Forstsee round through the Römerschlucht, around the Forstsee to the view "Hohes Kreuz" and through the Römerschlucht back to the starting point.