01 - Overview
The Wimitzerweg R5A is a quiet upland route through the almost uninhabited Wimitzer Berge of central Carinthia - 40.7 km downhill from the Steuerberg uplands near the Tiebelquellen springs to Sankt Veit an der Glan. It runs mostly on asphalt and surfaced forest roads, but longer gravel and natural-track sections in the middle Wimitz valley make it unsuitable for road bikes - ideal for gravel, trekking or mountain bikes.
The Wimitzerweg R5A connects the wooded uplands above the Wimitz valley with the Glan valley and the railway hub at Sankt Veit an der Glan. This is not a flat riverside path - it is an upland gravel route through one of the quietest, least-developed corners of central Carinthia, and the character is apparent from the first bend. The surface is mixed: the upper and lower sections run mostly on asphalt and surfaced forest roads, but the middle stage through the Innere Wimitz nature protection area is around one third gravel and natural track, including a continuous unpaved stretch of a good three kilometres. That makes the route unsuitable for road bikes. The route starts at around 932 m above sea level near the Tiebelquellen springs in the Wimitzer Berge uplands, northwest of Feldkirchen in Carinthia. The Tiebel rises here in a damp forest hollow - one of the largest and most reliable spring areas in Carinthia - and flows south-east to Feldkirchen, where it drains through the Bleistätter Moor into the Ossiacher See. The opening kilometre asks for a moment of patience: before the route settles into its long descent, it climbs briefly to just under 1,000 m - an orienting traverse through open forest before the first sustained drop begins. High above the Wimitz valley stands the medieval Burgruine Steuerberg, looking out over the valley below, a reminder of the feudal history of these uplands. The key landmark of the first half is the Goggausee at around 760 m, a small natural mountain lake in the headwater area of the Wimitz. The lake is a popular summer bathing spot for Carinthians - a welcome break after the rolling descent through upland forest and open meadow. Just below it begins the heart of the Wimitzerweg: the Innere Wimitz nature protection area. For around 15 km the route traverses the almost uninhabited Wimitz valley, a narrow, forested gorge valley with the meandering Wimitz stream, grey-alder riparian woodland, and an unusual silence. The few buildings are scattered individual farmsteads; traffic is almost non-existent. Halfway through, the Burgruine Wullroß recalls the medieval settlement of this remote corner. Below the protected area the valley opens at Kraig, the main settlement of the municipality of Frauenstein. The Kraiger See offers a last bathing stop before the route turns towards the more open Glan basin - here the dense upland forest gives way to farmland, and Sankt Veit draws closer. The finish - Schloss Hunnenbrunn on the eastern edge of Sankt Veit an der Glan, at around 504 m - also marks the start of the Glan-Gurkweg R5. Sankt Veit itself is a well-kept central-Carinthian town with a fine main square, a medieval town tower, and an attractive historic centre. Sankt Veit an der Glan railway station is close to the centre, connecting the town with Klagenfurt, Villach and Friesach; returning home by train with the bike is straightforward. An honest note for planning: the Wimitzerweg is designed for experienced cyclists on a suitable bike - gravel, trekking or MTB, ideally with electric assist for a comfortable pace. The surface changes frequently, forest tracks can be slippery after rain, and supply infrastructure in the Wimitz valley is very sparse. Riders who are well-equipped and prepared for solitude will find one of the most unspoiled cycling routes in Carinthia.
- Regions
- Carinthia
- Start
- Steuerberg
- Finish
- Sankt Veit an der Glan
- Surface
- Paved · unpaved
- Network
- Regional
- Best season
- May - October
- Signposting
- fully signposted
- Road-bike friendly
- Partly · Mixed surfacepartly estimated
83 % comfortably ridable, but a 3.2 km gravel stretch - nicer on a gravel or touring bike.
02 - Stages
3 stages · 41 km
01Steuerberg - GoggauseeTiebelquellen · Burgruine Steuerberg · Bösensteiner Wasserfall · Goggausee15 km
The first stage begins on the wooded upland plateau near the Tiebelquellen springs, one of the largest spring areas in Carinthia. After a brief climb to the local high point just below 1,000 m - the highest point of the entire tour - the route winds steadily downhill through upland forest. High above the track stands the medieval Burgruine Steuerberg, which once lent its name to the valley and is still visited by walkers today. A little lower, beside the path, the Bösensteiner Wasserfall makes a modest but atmospheric natural spectacle, especially after wet weather. The stage ends at the Goggausee at around 760 m, a small natural mountain lake in the headwater area of the Wimitz. In summer the cool water invites a swim - an ideal rest before the Wimitz valley with its longer natural-track sections begins. This upper section still runs mostly on asphalt and surfaced forest roads; take care on wet ground all the same.
- Ascent
- 240 m
- Descent
- 384 m
- Duration
- approx. 1 h 30 min
- Surface
- Mostly asphalt and surfaced forest roads, occasional unpaved sections
Surface (measured): paved
02Goggausee - KraigGoggausee · Innere Wimitz · Burgruine Wullroß · Kraig23 km
This long middle stage is the heart of the Wimitzerweg and the most remote section of the whole route. Immediately below the Goggausee begins the Innere Wimitz nature protection area: around 15 km through a narrow, forested gorge valley with the meandering Wimitz stream. The path follows the watercourse on forest and natural tracks; grey-alder riparian woodland lines the banks, and scattered farmsteads are the only signs of human settlement. About halfway, the Burgruine Wullroß recalls the medieval history of this quiet country. The stage demands endurance and an off-road-capable bike: the surface changes frequently, roots and damp patches are likely, and for around 15 km there is no supply of any kind. Towards the end the valley broadens noticeably, the protected zone ends, and the route reaches Kraig, the main settlement of the municipality of Frauenstein. The Kraiger See offers a welcome bathing stop in this quiet corner of central Carinthia.
- Ascent
- 131 m
- Descent
- 296 m
- Duration
- approx. 2 h 15 min
- Surface
- Asphalt and gravel through the nature protection area, longer unpaved sections
Surface (measured): paved 69 % · gravel 31 %
03Kraig - Sankt Veit an der GlanKraig · Schloss Hunnenbrunn · Sankt Veit an der Glan3 km
The short final stage leaves the enclosed world of the Wimitz valley and enters the broader Glan basin. Over the last few kilometres the dense upland forest of the upper route gives way to meadows and farmland, and the track drops gently towards the Glan. The finish - Schloss Hunnenbrunn on the eastern edge of Sankt Veit an der Glan at around 504 m - also marks the start of the Glan-Gurkweg R5. A short detour into the old town of Sankt Veit makes a natural conclusion to the ride: the main square with its town tower, the weekly market, and Carinthian inn culture are all within easy walking distance of Hunnenbrunn. The railway station is close to the centre and allows a straightforward return journey.
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 122 m
- Duration
- approx. 20 min
- Surface
- Surfaced forest roads and asphalt
Surface (measured): paved
03 - Elevation
Elevation across the full distance - move the cursor to read altitude and kilometre.
Elevation profile over 41 km. Ascent 371 m, descent 802 m. Lowest point 504 m, highest point 958 m.
Elevation from OSM geometry + Digital Terrain Model (DGM) Austria (10 m).
Hover the profile to see the point on the map - and vice versa.
04 - POIs & Services
- Tiebelquellen (source of the Tiebel river)
- Burgruine Steuerberg (medieval ruin)
- Bösensteiner Wasserfall (waterfall)
- Goggausee - natural bathing lake
- Innere Wimitz - nature protection area
- Burgruine Wullroß (castle ruin)
- Kraiger See - bathing lake
- Schloss Hunnenbrunn
Services along the route
- Very sparse supply in the Wimitz valleyThe Innere Wimitz nature protection area is almost uninhabited - across around 15 km there is no food service, no shop, and no drinking water point. Carry enough water and food for the entire middle stage from the Goggausee onward. Kraig and Sankt Veit an der Glan are well-supplied.
- E-bike and bike serviceCycle shops and repair services are available in Sankt Veit an der Glan. Riders on e-bikes should start with a full charge - there is no charging point in the Wimitz valley. The rolling terrain with frequent counter-climbs makes electric assist particularly worthwhile on a gravel or trekking bike.
- Refreshments and accommodationInns are found in Steuerberg, at the Goggausee (seasonal), in Kraig, and in Sankt Veit an der Glan. For a two-day option with an overnight stop, Kraig is a natural midpoint; book accommodation in advance as options in the rural Wimitz valley are limited.
- Surface and equipmentAbout a quarter of the route is gravel and natural track, concentrated on the middle stage through the Wimitz valley (including a continuous unpaved stretch of a good 3 km); the rest is asphalt and surfaced forest road. Suitable bikes: gravel bikes (from 35 mm tyre width), trekking bikes, and MTBs. Road bikes are not suitable. A puncture kit and basic repairs are recommended; some sections in the Wimitz valley can be very slippery after rain.
Service points along the route
- Drinking water1
Service points from OpenStreetMap. Coverage may be incomplete, some fountains are seasonal - verify before you rely on them.
05 - Impressions
The Tiebelquellen at the western start of the Wimitzerweg - one of the largest spring areas in Carinthia, here in dense riparian woodland.Photo: Tiebelquellen · Rollroboter · CC BY-SA 4.0 A view over the wooded Wimitz valley - the quiet, little-developed gorge valley through which the middle stage of the Wimitzerweg runs.Photo: Wimitztal bei Steinbichl · Niki.L · CC BY-SA 4.0 A gravel track beside the Wimitz stream below the Burgruine Wullroß - such natural and forest tracks shape mainly the middle stage through the inner Wimitz valley.Photo: Wimitz unterhalb Wullroß · Niki.L · CC BY-SA 4.0
06 - Public transit
- S2 (Carinthia S-Bahn)The S2 connects Sankt Veit an der Glan via Feldkirchen in Kärnten with Villach Hauptbahnhof. Bikes travel with a Radticket; the Aktiv-Ticket Kärnten covers a full day across the entire S-Bahn network including the bicycle.
- S1 (Carinthia S-Bahn)The S1 runs on the Rudolfsbahn from Friesach via Sankt Veit an der Glan and Klagenfurt onward to Villach and Lienz - on the Villach - Klagenfurt - Sankt Veit section two S-Bahn trains run per hour. Sankt Veit an der Glan station is close to the town centre.
- REX Rudolfsbahn (towards Friesach / Bruck an der Mur)Sankt Veit an der Glan is a Carinthian railway junction on the Rudolfsbahn. Regional express trains run north via Friesach towards the Mur valley and Bruck an der Mur. Bikes are carried on regional services without reservation, on individual long-distance trains with reservation.
- Western approach (no rail access)The start point near Steuerberg / Tiebelquellen has no direct railway access. Reach it by car (parking in Steuerberg) or by bus from Feldkirchen in Kärnten - check current timetables and bicycle carriage in advance. Alternatively, join the route at the Goggausee, which is closer to the road.
The natural approach to the Wimitzerweg is a one-way ride: drive or take a bus to Steuerberg at the upper end, ride 40.7 km downhill to Sankt Veit an der Glan, and return home by S1 or S2. Since the western start has no rail connection, a car is the most practical access option. Riders without a car can reach the upper Wimitz valley by bus from Feldkirchen in Kärnten (S2 station) - check timetables and bicycle carriage with the operator in advance. A two-day variant with an overnight in Kraig, followed by the return from Sankt Veit the next day, is also a natural option.
07 - GPX & TCX download
Download for GPS devices & apps
Clean track with elevation - imports as a single tour, compatible with Komoot, Garmin, Wahoo, Strava, RideWithGPS, OsmAnd.
Download stages individually (3)
Route derived from OpenStreetMap geometry - may differ slightly from on-the-ground signage. © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) · Elevation © DGM Austria (CC BY 3.0 AT). Redistribute with attribution.