The Gailtal altitude trail

In the south of the Lienz Dolomites and in the west wings of the gailtal Alps, the Gailtal altitude trail proceeds thruogh impressive natural landscapes in the Gailtal and Lesachtal. Bounded in the North by the Pustertal and in the south by Tirol's Gailtal and Lesachtal, the Gailtal altitude trail is a gentle complement to the Peace trail (Carnic altitude trail 403) on the carnic ridge. The entire route of the Gailtal altitude trail is not difficult.

The route begins in St. Oswald near Kartitsch and proceeds via the Dorfberg up to the Golzentipp. Continue -after an overnight stay in the "Connyalm" above Obertilliach - via the Kofelspitz to the Gontrunsattel. You have a choice here, either procced in the valley to the Ochsengartenalm and up again to Gumpedall, or opt for the somewhat steeper climb to the Tamerlanhöhe and from there cross a few steeper gravel gullies to get there.

Another trail proceeds at the base of the Eggekofel massif, which has two distinct gravel gullies, across to Hals above the Kircher Almen and from there down to the Lotteralm. Emergency accommodation is available here, should it be too late for another stage to Tuffbad via the Guggenberger Sattel. Otherwise you can spend the night in Tuffbad.

Up to the Gailbergsattel (above Kötschach and Oberdrauburg)there are unfortunately no other overnight stay options! So it is recommended that you choose a day tour so that you may still descend again into one of the villages in Lesachtal to spend the night.

The Gailtal altitude trail

distance

48.75 km

🔋

altitude meters uphill

1240 hm

🞽

difficulty

average

Stage suggestions

Section from Kartitsch (St. Oswald) to Gailbergsattel

Stage 1: St. Oswald (1.364m) over the Dorfberg (2.115m) to the Connyalm (2.070m):
↑1.240hm ↓130hm | Walking time: 5-6 hrs.

Stage 2: Connyalm (2.070m) via Ochsengarten (1.747m) to the Lotteralm (1.471m):
↑400hm ↓900hm | Walking time: 4,5-5 hrs.

Stage 3: Lotteralm (1.471m) via Samalmkreuz (1.992m) to the Tuffbad (1.262m):
↑540hm ↓700hm | Walking time: 3,5 hrs.

Stage 4: Tuffbad (1.262m) via Tscheltscher Alpe (2.052m) to the Schartenalm (1.523m):
↑1.020hm ↓765hm | Walking time: 6,5 - 7 Std.

Stage 5: Schartenalm (1.523m) via Mussen (2.038m) to the Gailberghöhe (971m):
↑515hm ↓1.070hm | Walking time: 4,5-5 hrs.

Book recommendation

The mountaineer Walter Mair has written a hiking guide over the Gailtaler Höhenweg in the area of the Lesachtal and the Gailtal. In the 128 - page guide, Mair describes the altitude trail in three sections. The guide is available at the tourist office Sillian at the Price of Euro 8,00 (inkl. shipping).

For further Information please contact: [email protected]

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