Zollnersee hut - Waidegger Alm RW_N48

From the starting point at the parking lot in front of the Zollnersee hut, you walk the right (western) of the two alm roads about 250 m up to just before the Zollnersee hut. About 50 m before, at the first fork, turn right onto path no. 403 and follow it about 200 m west to a junction with three other paths. Here, leave path no. 403 and turn left (south) onto the service road no. 423 towards Zollnertörl.  Follow this – ignoring side paths – up to the 1,797 m high Törl, which marks the border between Austria and Italy.

Now on the Italian side along hiking path no. 454 ("Sentiero dei Silenzi") descend 250 vertical meters to Rifugio P. Fabiani (1,539 m). This small managed hut is nestled in a cirque below the mighty peak of the High Trieb and pampers you with genuine Italian hospitality and is definitely worth a stop.

After the refreshment, follow trail no. 448 eastwards, keep left at a fork, cross a small valley, and soon reach an alm road. Follow it uphill (trail no. 448) to Malga Lodin Alta, the first of the three cheese alps on your constellation hike. Here you can try the home-produced products and try to find out whether cheese in the Friulian part of the Carnic Alps tastes different than in the Carinthian part. One thing is certain: love (not the devil) is in the details! Or is it just the Italian flair that makes the difference?

At the alp, choose the hiking path uphill on the left and immediately branch off to the left path (no. 457, "Sent. d. Farinarie"). It takes you below Findenigkofel up to Passo di Lodinut (1,817 m). On the Austrian side, descend a few meters until you reach the "Carnic High Trail" (no. 403). Follow it right (east) and hike for quite a while in wonderful scenery along the north side of the elongated Findenigkofel, ignore a right branching path to the nearby Lodintörl, and reach another junction. Now you have reached the easternmost point of your constellation hike: leave the Carnic High Trail no. 403 and turn left (north) onto path no. 420. A few minutes later, reach an alm road, follow it left (no. 420) to Waidegger Alm (1,746 m). Waidegger Alm is also a cheese alp where you can sample self-produced products. That means you can actually try to find an answer to the questions posed earlier at Malga Lodin Alta.

From Waidegger Alm, follow the alm road descending east until you reach the last cheese alp on this constellation hike – the Achornacher Alm at 1,532 m. Now you have the unique opportunity to test for the third time in one day how big the differences really are between the individual alpine dairies in the region: is it the little secrets the cheesemaker would never reveal? Or is it the soil that lets different herbs grow that then reach the milk via "detours"?

From Achornacher Alm, follow the service road a few meters north and immediately turn left onto a hiking path, ascending in a large left loop past the Ochsenalm up to a junction just east of Zollnersee. Here you meet the Carnic High Trail no. 403 again and follow it right (west) along the southern shore of the beautiful Zollnersee to the Zollnersee hut (ÖAV).

At the Zollnersee hut, you can end this wonderful hiking day and refresh yourself once more or even stay overnight before you walk the last 300 m back to the parking lot and thus to your destination on the route familiar from the morning.

For the constellation hikes, "normal" alpine hiking equipment for unpaved and partly rocky paths in the southern limestone Alps is sufficient. However, sturdy footwear with a good tread sole for unpaved paths is a "must," and it is recommended to bring telescopic hiking poles to relieve your knees during the sometimes longer descents. In summer, good sun protection and enough water are very important (there are not refreshment opportunities at every stage). Enough warm clothing for possible weather changes is also important even in midsummer. For all mountain huts along the trail, you must also bring a hut sleeping bag and a towel.

Here you can find a detailed equipment list for your trail trip.

FAIR PLAY & RESPECT:

Care for nature – landowners – your health.... and safety in the mountains have the highest priority during your tour and related tour planning!

Therefore, inform yourself before every hike about the behavioral rules - Safety in the Mountains - as well as the current weather situation.

Waste disposal:

Waste is not always avoidable - but it has no place in nature and must be properly disposed of (preferably in the valley or at home). 

Emergency numbers:

European emergency number: 112 (accessible in every available network)

Austrian alpine emergency number: 140

Arrival by car:

You drive via the Gailtalstraße B111 (coming from Hermagor or Kötschach-Mauthen) to Dellach. In the town center, coming from Hermagor just behind a bridge over a small stream, turn south towards Weidenburg. You cross the Gail and follow the Würmlacher Landesstraße to the right until just before Weidenburg. Here turn left and follow the Almstraße past the farm "Gratzhof" in many switchbacks up to the parking lot just before the Zollnersee hut.

Public transport:

The most sustainable way to get there is theoretically by train to Oberdrauburg (coming from Lienz or Villach) or to Hermagor (coming from Villach).

From Oberdrauburg or Hermagor, you can then reach the town of Kötschach-Mauthen by bus. From Kötschach, an alpine taxi (registration required) will take you to the starting point at the Zollnersee hut (for overnight stays - registration the day before is required).

Details at - Mobility information Nassfeld and Route planner Kärntner Linien

The Zollnersee hut is only publicly accessible with a combination of train, bus, and alpine taxi:

From Villach main station with the S4 to Hermagor (hourly). From there by bus 5058 to Kötschach (hourly). From Kötschach, an alpine taxi will take you to the starting point at the Zollnersee hut (For overnight stays - registration required the day before!).

Waidegger Alm Location: At 1,746 m the highest of all Gail valley cheese alps – rustic charm and idyllic location far from mass tourism Noteworthy: At Waidegger Alm it is quiet and personal. Watch how the "Schotten" is smoked, or take a look into the cheese chamber

Cheese alp: Achornacher Alm

Location: Protected location in a basin at the foot of Findenigkofel, away from busy hiking trails

Noteworthy: Achornacher Alm is a mecca for cheese lovers, and the cheese from this alp has repeatedly made it to the winners' podium at mountain cheese competitions. Besides Gail Valley alpine cheese, a special soft cheese and the "Almschotten" – a quark-like crumbly cheese made from buttermilk without pressing – are produced here.

Other dining opportunities

Zollnersee hut

Location: Near the start and end point of the constellation hike on an idyllic and extensive high plateau. Idyllic – the Zollnersee. What awaits you: Rustic hut atmosphere with wonderful views and accommodation options. More information: https://www.nassfeld.at/de/Service/Nassfeld-A-Z/Zollnersee-Huette_az_30359

Rifugio P. Fabiani

Location: In a lovely valley basin below the mighty High Triebs deep in the heart of the Carnic Alps What awaits you: The charm of a small Italian mountain hut with Friulian alpine specialties More information: https://www.escursionismo.it/rifugi-bivacchi/pecol-di-chiaula-alta--(ex-fabiani)-15577

Malga Lodin Alta

Location: Just before the halfway point of the constellation hike on the Friulian side on the southern slope of Findenigkofel What awaits you: Typical Friulian alp offering much authenticity away from the big bustle More information: http://www.malghefvg.it/de/malghe/almen-im-val-chiarso/lodin-alta

Are you looking for more hiking tips in the region as well as a state-certified guide for a guided mountain hike?

You will find this and many other infos at - Hiking tips and provider information