
Accommodations in our Geopark municipalities
Find here the right accommodation for your vacation in Geopark Karawanken
- in our Austrian partner municipalities:
- in our Slovenian partner municipalities:
The Geopark Karawanken cooperates with some partners, which we would like to introduce to you here in more detail.
Find here the right accommodation for your vacation in Geopark Karawanken
- in our Austrian partner municipalities:
- in our Slovenian partner municipalities:
We introduce you to all 14 partner municipalities.
Bad Eisenkappel is the southernmost town in Austria. The town is characterized by its special offers for hiking in unspoiled nature, as well as mountain climbing in the impressive mountain landscape. Here, you also find the world of the spectacular Obir Dripstone Caves. In 1870, the caves were found by accident when miners were looking for lead and zinc. The municipality comprises around 2.409 inhabitants and it extends the area of 199.12 km².
Zell is located in a high valley of the Karavanke/Karawanken at an altitude of 950 metres. Zell-Pfarre is the main town, where the town hall, the primary school, and the old and the new parish churches can be found. A variety of trails allows each guest to walk through the town of Zell. For climbers, the Koschuta Massif offers numerous challenging tours. Zell has been known as one of the hiking villages of Austria since 2013. The municipality comprises around 615 inhabitants and it extends the area of 75.31 km².
Whether at the Werner Berg Museum, the fountain by Kiki Kogelnik, the Bleiburger Wiesenmarkt fair, at traditional inns, at the adventurous outdoor swimming pool, or the artistic cycle path – the love of art, culture, and sports is noticeably close wherever you go in Bleiburg. Because of the plethora of museums, collections, and cultural monuments, as well as numerous concerts and cultural events, Bleiburg has earned a reputation of a cultural city. The municipality comprises around 4.043 inhabitants and it extends the area of 69.72 km².
Located at the foot of Petzen / Mt. Peca, this market town offers pure nature experiences, a sports park in St. Michael, climbing in the Karavanke/Karawanken (a hiking and climbing Mecca), stories from the past (Historical Traces on Mt. Peca / Petzen), culture and customs, Lake Pirkdorf, the Petzen / Mt. Peca ski and hiking area, and the cross-country skiing centre at Lake Pirkdorf. The municipality comprises around 2.116 inhabitants and it extends the area of 54.07 km².
Even the emperor Charles II tasted the Sittersdorfer wine, and the wine has now been gaining its prominence again. Sittersdorf is known for its fly-fishing paradise at the River Vellach. Lake Sonnegger is very popular particularly among families with children because of its beautiful lawn, beach volleyball court, and a children’s playground and waterslide. The Acoustic Lakeside Festival also takes place here. The municipality comprises around 2.021 inhabitants and it extends the area of 44.97 km².
The Municipality of Gallizien is situated away from everyday hustle and bustle at an idyllic place located at the foot of the Hochobir and at the intersection of the Rosental and the Jauntal valleys. Around 1.780 inhabitants live in the still-intact environment today, and the municipality extends the area of 46.8 km². The starting point for the challenging hike on the Hochobir is located directly at the Wildensteiner Wasserfall natural monument, the highest free-falling waterfall in Europe (54 metres). Here you can also find the flying fox park.
At the confluence of the Lavant and the Drau rivers, you find the southernmost place of the Lavant Valley. Located at the crossroads of the Lavant Bicycle Route (R 10) and the Drau Bicycle Route (R 1), Lavamünd is a perfect starting point for cycling. With a lake for swimming, as well as an array of climbing, rafting, fishing, and hiking activities in idyllic surroundings, no wish is left unfulfilled. With an altitude of 348 metres, Lavamünd is the lowest point of Carinthia. The municipality comprises around 3.012 inhabitants and it extends the area of 93.78 km².
Globasnitz has a lot to offer to its guests. In addition to cultural diversity, Globasnitz is located in a historically important area in the middle of the Carinthian Jauntal Valley. The ones who embark on the trail of the past can find a unique museum of historical treasures in Globasnitz. 2,000 years ago, the Roman Juenna road station was located here, which gives the Jauntal Valley its name. Numerous archaeological excavations are a testament for the presence of the Celts, Romans, and Slavs in the area but the most well-known is probably the Hemmaberg / the St. Hema Mountain. The municipality comprises around 1.603 inhabitants and it extends the area of 38.43 km².
You can expect great hospitality, special water adventures, as well as a good dose of culture and Had’n (buckwheat) cuisine here. Indulge in Neuhaus, the home place of Had’n (buckwheat). A tip: the Had’n Info Centre with a mill. Fans of culture should visit the Liaunig Museum. The suspension bridge on the Drauradweg Bicycle Route is only for the brave. The Patek Mill Farming Museum also has a refreshing ‘Kneipping’ oasis. The water trail is suitable for the whole family. The municipality comprises around 1.035 inhabitants and it extends the area of 36.33 km².
The municipality of Črna na Koroškem is very picturesque. Its principal town, Črna, is known as the most beautiful tourist place in the Meža Valley, and it is famous for its traditional Tourist week of Koroška as well as for the Snow Castles for King Matjaž event. Črna’s natural pearls are the wonderful alpine valleys of Topla, Koprivna, and Bistra. The history of the oldest Slovenian linden tree (the Najevnik linden tree, ‘Najevska lipa’) at Ludranski Vrh above Črna dates back to the Turkish invasions over the country. Imaginatively arranged mining and ethnological collections are set up in the town centre as a reminder of the times gone by. There are ski slopes in the town itself, which is considered to be the cradle of some of the top Slovenian skiers. Because of them, Črna is known as ‘the village of Olympians’. The municipality comprises around 3.400 inhabitants and extends the area of 156 km².
Mežica is a town situated in the central part of the Meža Valley, and it is the geographical, Alpine, and mining tourist centre of the region. Mežica is an important starting point for mountaineering and mountain bike fans. The surrounding mountains, meadows, and vast green forests are interwoven with numerous forest roads, where cyclists and walkers can choose among trails of different levels of difficulty. The Mežica town centre is also interesting to see. A geological trail runs along the River Meža. The Podzemlje Pece Tourist Mine is also located in Mežica. The municipality comprises around 3.600 inhabitants and extends the area of 26 km².
Prevalje is surrounded by the Uršlja Gora Mountain and Mt. Peca / Petzen and lies in the middle of the Meža Valley. Its history is marked by the Roman era, rich cultural heritage, and the history of the iron industry in particular, which also gave the town its name (Prevalje). The Hermagoras Society was active here, and the idea of a reading badge came to life at the Prevalje Primary School, which is a Slovenian cultural particularity. There is a memorial park in the town, with monuments recalling important events and personalities of the town’s history. In Leše, a lignite mine was in operation once. Today, Leše is marketed as a fairy tale village. Holmec and Poljana are marked with events of recent history, whereas Štanjel still remains a tourist jewel and the cycling hub of Koroška. The municipality comprises around 6.750 inhabitants and extends the area of 58 km².
Ravne na Koroškem is the biggest town in the Koroška region. It is the town of ironworkers, the Forma Viva steel sculptures, and a profusion of books. While the rich funds of the Dr. Franc Sušnik Central Carinthian Library bear witness of cultural development, interesting museum collections tell stories about the history of ironwork. In Preški Vrh above Kotlje stands the Prežih House (Prežihova bajta), consolidating the memory of the writer Lovro Kuhar – Prežihov Voranc. Lake Ivarčko lies under the mighty Uršlja Gora Mountain, which welcomes you in the summer and also in the winter with its snowy hillsides with ski slopes. There is a modern sports centre in Ravne, including anOlympic-size and an indoor swimming pool, an athletic stadium, a sauna, a fitness centre, and numerous sports courts. The municipality comprises around 11.300 inhabitants and extends the area of 63 km².
Dravograd is situated at the meeting point of three valleys: the Meža, Mislinja and Drava valleys. The old market center with many fairs, below the former castle with a road customs post, later became a landing place for the ferry across the Drava and even later a larger railroad crossing. A modern settlement was built, which today is divided by the Drava on the right and left bank. The village has many historical traces. The raftsmen who transport tourists on the Drava today, the famous church of St. Vitus in Dravograd, the interesting ossuary in Libeliče, the collection about the Nazi violence in Dravograd and the Bukovje castle with the exhibition about the Karavanke Geopark and the battles in Koroška in 1991 stand out. From the naturalistic point of view, the landscape highlights in Dravograd can be found in the Košenjak-Velka area and at Lake Dravograd. Along the Dravograd Lake there is the Beaver Water Trail. The area is 105 km², with about 8,900 inhabitants.
We introduce you to our other partners.
Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar attractions. The mine and museum are located near the main road from Mežica to Črna na Koroškem.
We present you our lead products.
Place: Neuhaus
The Genuss Region Jauntaler Had'n association has made the somewhat forgotten Had'n an indispensable part of its cuisine, thus establishing Neuhaus as a Had'n community. The high-quality and gluten-free grain, which is also considered a medicinal plant, provides a maximum of nutrients and has a strong energetic, holistic and balancing effect on the human organism. Interesting facts about the power grain Had'n:
- Slimming agent
- mood lifter
- high quality protein supplier
- supports stress reduction
- strengthens the immune system
- good cereal alternative as it is gluten-free
- increases life expectancy
- medicinal plant of the year 1999
Further information:
Jauntal Salami means: traditional knowledge, the correct keeping and feeding of pigs, farm recipes, experienced hands in production as well as maturing and the willingness to achieve the highest quality.
The pure pork salami captivates with its harmoniously rounded seasoning and pure matured meat taste. A drop of garlic water and a touch of beech wood from the forests of the Petzen give the salami its unmistakable peasant touch.
A regional speciality is the smoking with beech wood. This is how the salamis get their typical color and wonderful aroma in the farmer's smokehouse. Furthermore, the Jauntaler Salami receives an imprint of the 'GENUSS REGION Jauntaler Salami' and the individual farms keep a so-called salami log, a complete record of all production steps.
The salami is therefore produced under strict guidelines, which is clearly reflected in the quality.
Further information:
https://www.jauntalersalami.at/
Salami farmers:
https://www.jauntalersalami.at/news/salamibauern/
Place: Sittersdorf
Sittersdorf wine was already enjoyed by Emperor Charles II - now it is experiencing a renaissance...
The many hours of sunshine coupled with the pleasant Mediterranean climate have ensured that Sittersdorf wines have been maturing into excellent drops for more than 1000 years. Sittersdorf red wine was even shipped to the Spanish royal court in 1526 as a remedy for stomach problems. Every year in September, the well-attended Sittersdorf Wine Festival takes place.
Further information:
https://www.suedkaernten.at/de/region/orte/sittersdorf/
Municipality of Sittersdorf:
Place: Bad Eisenkappel
The farm store at the Arlitscherhof is stocked with many of the farm's own products. There are different kinds of pasta, pasta chips, eggs, ham, jams, liqueurs, brandies, pickles, dried fruit, must, vinegar, herbal products, tea and much more to discover.
Farm store OPENING HOURS
Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 8 - 12 a.m.
or by appointment by phone 0676 / 72 46 753
Website: https://www.arlitscherhof.at/bauernladen/
Natural, homemade, and traditional are the words we use to describe the culinary characteristics of the Koroška cuisine. The cuisine from the Koroška region includes the types of dishes that are long gone from the menus elsewhere, as their preparation demands a lot of knowledge, concern and time.
That is why the housewives still know how to prepare kvočevi nudlni, štruklji, ožejene žganke, mavželni, mežerli, tovste grumpe, etc., which all sound unusual and inviting. The speciality of the Koroška region is its bread, black or rye. Prepared in a wood-fired oven, following a traditional and unwritten recipe, it is still unchanged and as tasty as the first day.
The Koroška region is famous for its excellent must, the traditional beverage acquired from alcoholic fermentation of juice from old varieties of apples. For a true welcome, the master will offer you a homemade liqueur – most of the times it will be the most valued and precious črničov šnops, which requires 22 kilograms of blueberries for a litre of the beverage.
Further information: https://www.koroska.si/en/Explore/Cuisine