Gnesau: Arboretum, Hiking Trails and Wood Culture

Gnesau lies in the Upper Gurk Valley, surrounded by the natural landscape of the Gurktal Alps and the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve in the district of Feldkirchen. The municipal area covers around 7,900 hectares and is 59 percent forested. A walk-through arboretum, historic wooden buildings and a variety of trails give the area its distinctive character. This lets you give different emphasis to nature, culture and outdoor activities when planning your stay.

Arboretum and Wood Culture

The arboretum is a walk-through tree garden where many familiar and rare native tree species can be viewed or studied. Rare ginkgo and redwood trees grow in the Carinthian Garden of Trees in Gnesau. The theme of trees is evident both in the garden and in several particularly rare species.

The arboretum is opposite the Gnesau Cultural Centre and is both the starting point and endpoint of the Gnesau Wood Culture Trail. Along the trail are centuries-old farmhouses whose wood has been blackened by the sun. The route thus connects a tree garden with a cultural theme that is also visible in historic buildings. Gnesau is also one of the Carinthian municipalities on the Holzstraße (Wood Road).

Hiking with Named Routes

Two hiking trails can be distinguished by their names and numbers: the Gnesau–Dürrer Baum–Buchskopf route is numbered 164, and the Gnesau–Sonnleiten–Knittel route is numbered 158. Their named points give the routes different names, while the numbers provide a quick reference when choosing a trail. Since 2007, a section of the Hemma Pilgrimage Route has also passed through the municipality of Gnesau. This means that, alongside the numbered hiking trails, a pilgrimage route section and its own walking tradition are also options to consider.

Another cultural feature is the Roman Catholic parish church of Gnesau. Dedicated to Saint Leonard, it is a former fortified church. Together with the farmhouses along the Wood Culture Trail, it offers another perspective on the area's architectural history.

Cycling Trails and Cross-Country Skiing

Gnesau has a well-developed network of mountain bike and cycling trails. For cross-country skiing, the Gnesau trail is available when there is enough snow. Hiking and cycling offer different options for active days, while cross-country skiing depends on snow conditions. When planning your travel dates, you can take this difference into account without tying all activities to the same season.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Gnesau, it helps to decide first what kind of trip you want. The arboretum and wood culture lend themselves to a focus on nature and culture; the named hiking trails and cycling network offer different options. If you plan to go cross-country skiing, you should also take into account whether there is enough snow.

Discover more destinations: Hochrindl-Kegel, Sankt Leonhard, Himmelberg, Hochrindl, Retschitz, Feldkirchen in Carinthia, Agsdorf, Falkertsee.

For the broader travel overview: Feldkirchen.