Weißensee

July and August are best for swimming. May, June and September are good for walking and cycling. January and February are the time for ice skating, ice fishing and winter walks, when the ice is thick enough, and a long-distance skating event is held in winter.

• Weißensee is the lake, with swimming spots, a shore path and boat trips.
• Weißensee Schifffahrt Fam. Müller runs boat trips on the lake.
• Latschur is a mountain above the lake with wide views.
• Kreuzbergsattel is a mountain pass at the west end.
• Alte Mühle is an old mill at the shore.
• The Naggler Alm and other huts are on hiking routes above the lake.
• The lake's winter ice rink is cleared and groomed for skaters.

• Swim in the lake.
• Walk or cycle the shore path.
• Skate on the ice in winter.
• Take a lake boat.
• Hike to a mountain hut.

• Seeboden is about 45 minutes away by car.
• Spittal an der Drau is about 40 minutes away by car.
• Bad Kleinkirchheim is about 1 hour 10 minutes away by car.
• Feld am See is about 1 hour 10 minutes away by car.
• Klagenfurt is about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car.
• Hermagor and the Nassfeld ski area are about 25 minutes away by car.

• Seeboden and Spittal an der Drau are the nearest preferred destinations.

• By air: Klagenfurt Airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car.
• By train: The nearest station is Greifenburg-Weißensee on the Drau valley line, then a bus of about 30 minutes. Check times on ÖBB.
• By car: Leave the A10 at Spittal and follow the road through the Drau valley and over to the lake.

The lake is spread out, so a car or bus is useful. A bus links the villages, and boats cross the lake in summer. The shore path suits walkers and cyclists.

A car helps for the lake villages. Roads are narrow and can close in heavy snow. Winter tyres or chains are required in snow. Motorways in Austria need a vignette.

Carinthian food includes Kärntner Kasnudeln, filled pasta, and fresh lake fish. Local dairies and herbs are common. Inns serve warm soups in winter.

Weißensee is very safe. On the ice, check the local ice reports before you go on. The lake water is cold, and storms can arrive quickly. Tap water is clean and safe to drink. The emergency number is 112. The mountain rescue number is 140.

Weißensee was a remote farming area for centuries, with scattered farms. Tourism developed in the 20th century, and the lake was protected as a nature park. Its winter skating tradition made it known across Europe.

Quick practical facts for Austria at a glance: