Discover Plöcken: History, Mountains and Special Trails

Plöcken combines an impressive mountain landscape with an unusually rich history. Plöcken, the surrounding mountains and the Angerbach Valley form a compact recreation area for hikers and climbers. At the same time, the open-air museum, themed trail, memorial chapel and historic paths tell the story of a region where nature, mountaineering history and wartime remembrance come together. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore tailor their stay to their preferred type of holiday.

Open-Air Museum and History at the Plöcken Pass

The Open-Air Museum of Mountain Warfare preserves historic defensive positions as an open-air museum and memorial against war. The sector around the Kleiner Pal contains numerous restored Austro-Hungarian and Italian positions. These installations give a stay a historical dimension that clearly differs from a purely mountain hike. For visitors interested in European history and the traces of the First World War, this area is an important part of planning their trip.

The memorial chapel at the Plöcken Pass is also part of the site's culture of remembrance. It was consecrated on 29 June 1929. The themed trail at the Plöcken Pass broadens the historical perspective to include other topics: it covers mountaineering history, the First World War and local geology. This allows you to choose between a more culturally and historically focused experience and a route that combines nature with the communication of knowledge.

Plöcken was developed more than 2,000 years ago. The Romans built the Via Iulia Augusta there as a direct connection from Aquileia to the north. This historic connection helps explain why the place is interesting not only as a starting point for activities in the mountains, but also as the setting for a long history of travel and transport. The Plöcken memorial ceremony takes place every year at the end of August, adding another highlight to the annual cycle of events in the area.

Hiking, Via Ferrata and Geology

For active days, the hike to the Kleiner Pal has two clearly named trail sections: the ascent follows the Landsturm Trail, while the descent follows the MG-Nase. You can take both sections into account when planning your day. Those interested in historic routes can combine the hike with the positions on the Kleiner Pal; those primarily seeking exercise and mountain scenery can experience the route as an activity in its own right.

A special destination is the historic underground via ferrata on the Cellon. It is 180 metres long and has an elevation difference of 117 metres. A via ferrata set, headlamp and rockfall helmet are strongly recommended for the route. You should take these details into account when choosing your holiday dates and assembling your personal equipment. The via ferrata is therefore aimed at travellers seeking a special mountain experience and wishing to plan their trip around this activity.

The landscape itself also holds an unusual detail. Over a stretch of about 60 metres, the Cellon avalanche gully reveals rocks from the Ordovician, Silurian and Devonian periods. This geological aspect complements the historic sights with a natural-history perspective. For families, this can create a varied day out that brings different interests together without every activity having to be of the same nature.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

For the hike to the Kleiner Pal, you can travel by train to Oberdrauburg from Lienz or Villach, or to Hermagor from Villach. From there, a bus runs to Kötschach-Mauthen; depending on the season and availability, call-bus or taxi services are then available to the Plöcken Pass or the Plöckenhaus. Check this sequence particularly carefully when planning your day and accommodation if you are travelling without your own vehicle.

A holiday apartment in Plöcken is particularly suitable for travellers who want to plan their stay around specific experiences. You can focus on the open-air museum and memorial sites, include a hike on the Kleiner Pal, or make the historic via ferrata on the Cellon the centrepiece of your trip. Your choice of accommodation should therefore suit your preferred daily rhythm and planned arrival route. Plöcken offers a distinctive combination of mountain scenery, remembrance, geology and active exploration.

For the overarching travel overview: Kötschach-Mauthen.