Discover Birnbaum: Hiking, Mountain Tours and Lesachtal Culture

Birnbaum combines varied hiking experiences with insights into the history and landscape of the Lesachtal. From here, paths lead through the surrounding villages of Wodmaier, Nostra and Podlanig, into the Wolayer Valley and up into the mountains. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Birnbaum will find a place from which a range of day plans can be put together: a circular trail, a longer mountain tour, a snowshoe hike or an exploration tour to historical points of interest.

Circular Trails and Tours Around Birnbaum

An easy-to-follow way to get to know the surroundings is the Birnbaum–Wodmaier–Nostra–Birnbaum circular trail. It starts in Birnbaum, leads via Wodmaier and Nostra and returns to the starting point. Along the way, the trail crosses a stream near Sonnhof at the small St. Antonis church. The hike is situated in Birnbaum and its surrounding villages and thus connects several names from the nearby landscape in one circuit.

For a longer itinerary, the mountain tour to Grifitzbühel is an option. It is classified as a moderately difficult mountain tour, covers 14.8 kilometres and is specified as taking approximately 6.5 hours. The tour leads from Birnbaum to Kornat and along the road to the last farm, Stramitzer. The Grifitzbühel tour also includes a viewpoint with panoramic views, which also encompasses the Plenge. This information helps you coordinate the route and the time required with the other plans for your trip.

A separate route is also described for winter: The Nostra–Wodmaier snowshoe hike starts in Birnbaum, leads via Nostra and the Wolayer Valley to the Hubertus Chapel and returns to Birnbaum via Wodmaier and the Gail. Another snowshoe hike to Grifitzbühel starts at the highest-lying farms in Kornat, which can be reached from Birnbaum. It leads across lightly wooded alpine pastureland to the 1,861-metre-high summit with a cross. This makes it clear for your planning which tour is described as a mountain tour and which as a snowshoe hike.

Landscape and Historical Traces

From Birnbaum, views open up of the villages of Nostra and Wodmaier opposite, the Wolayer Valley and the Plenge. This makes the landscape interesting not only as a backdrop, but also as a reference point for different excursion directions. Lake Wolayersee, with its staffed hut, is also mentioned as a popular hiking destination.

Historical references complement the natural experiences. St. John’s Church in Kornat is located in the Lesachtal on the slope above Birnbaum at an elevation of 1,032 metres and was first mentioned in documents in 1376. In August 1908, Archduke Franz Ferdinand visited Birnbaum and went chamois hunting in the Wolayer Valley from the settlement. Anyone who would like to discover regional history alongside outdoor activity during a trip can include these points in their own selection without limiting the day to just one type of experience.

Lesachtal Highlights for Your Trip

The Lesachtal is a member of the “Austrian Mountaineering Villages” initiative, which promotes nature-oriented and sustainable tourism. Another regional experience is offered by a workshop where you can knead the dough for Lesachtal bread by hand according to traditional recipes. This allows a trip to Birnbaum to be combined with landscape, outdoor activity and a culinary tradition of the valley.

In addition to the hikes, a cycling and e-bike tour is also described. The Birnbaum–Podlanig–Wodmaier route leads from Birnbaum via Podlanig to the surrounding village of Wodmaier. Depending on the day you wish to travel, you can choose between a circular hike, a mountain tour, a cycling tour and a regional discovery experience. This clear distinction is helpful for families or travel groups with different preferences, because not everyone has to plan the same route together.

Other Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Birnbaum, you can also view Mellweg, Gundersheim, Görtschach and Gitschtal. Also included in your selection are Sonnenalpe Nassfeld, Lesachtal, Liesing and Tröpolach. Birnbaum is particularly suitable as a search option if you are looking for accommodation with a clear focus on hiking, mountain tours and the landscape connections of the Lesachtal.

For the overarching travel overview: Hermagor.