Church of St. Steben 1,004 m

Level of difficulty: Medium

8.2 km

Distance
2.6 h

Duration
611 vm

Lowest elevation
1005 vm

Highest elevation
394 vm
394 vm

Church of St. Steben 1,004 m

From Görtschach/Förolach railway station, first take a country road to Förolach. The ascent from Förolach is first on a tarmac path, later on a gravel path. After about 20 minutes, the quite steep but easy climb to the church begins.

The way back is via a forest path, later via a path downhill to the edge of the forest, then along the edge of the forest to a forest path through the meadows. Continue along this path in a westerly direction until you reach the start of the path to St. Steben again. From here, return along the same path as the ascent.

Suggestion

In spring, there are many snow lilies along the entire route.

In the Siebenbrünner Moor there are many plants that are on the red list, such as the lung gentian, the marsh sitter (a type of orchid) and the long-leaved sundew (a carnivorous plant).

Once you have passed the Siebenbrünner springs, it is worth taking a short detour in an easterly direction, at most as far as a cattle gate. Here you can admire a great meandering of the stream flowing below the path.

In winter, the descent is popular with ski tourers and snowshoe hikers.

Equipment

Normal hiking equipment, sturdy shoes are recommended.

Directions

From Villach:
From the A2 Südautobahn motorway, take the Hermagor exit and continue on the B111 to Förolach, turn right shortly after the petrol station and park in the car park at the cemetery.

From Hermagor:
Take the B111 towards Villach as far as Förolach, turn left at the church and park directly there.

A first glimpse

Some impressions of the tour

Directions

From the bus stop on the B 111 or from the car park in front of the church uphill through the village, past the fountain to the forest. Then over the grazing pasture to the east on a gravel road. Follow this road for about 0.7 km, then turn left onto the forest path and about 300 m later turn left again onto a forest path, shortly afterwards the steep climb begins, which leads uphill with several hairpin bends and curves. After about 50 minutes from the starting point, you will reach a wayside shrine with a wonderful view of the valley and Lake Presseggersee. From there it is another 10 minutes to the pilgrimage church.

The descent leads from the church along a forest path in an easterly direction. After approx. 400 metres you come to a signposted turn-off downhill. This is not taken, but only after approx. 1.2 km. From here, follow a path down through the forest to the tree line and then along it until you reach a forest path. Continue along this in a westerly direction, past the many bubbling springs that gave this area its name.

The path continues in a westerly direction across pastureland, after a while it comes to a forest path, leads through a farm and then back across pastureland to another estate. After a short time, you pass this and reach the turn-off for the ascent to St. Steben.

Now take the same route back to the starting point of the tour.

More info