{"id":8058,"date":"2021-02-23T08:05:49","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T07:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.visitklagenfurt.at\/hiking-in-klagenfurt\/"},"modified":"2024-08-20T10:57:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T08:57:23","slug":"hiking-in-klagenfurt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitklagenfurt.at\/en\/active-sports\/hiking\/hiking-in-klagenfurt\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kreuzbergl – hiking in the centre of Klagenfurt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the middle of the lively Klagenfurt city centre, it is just a few steps to the local recreation area filled with peace, nature and birdsong. If you walk from Neuer Platz with the Lindwurm fountain facing west (Radetzkystra\u00dfe) and head slightly northwards so as not to end up immediately in the east bay of Lake W\u00f6rthersee, you will soon be walking uphill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(c) Wolfgang Handler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An observatory as your reference point<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The observatory<\/a> with its striking dome can be seen from a long way off, and is a good reference point. Built in 1965 on a much older stone viewing tower, from up close it offers an interesting sight, and from its viewing platform a circular view of the whole of Klagenfurt. At certain times in the evening, guided star-gazing sessions are offered.\r\n\r\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kreuzbergl church with stations of the cross<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Another good orientation point to find your way up to the Kreuzbergl is the \u201cKreuzbergl church\u201d at the end of Radetzkystra\u00dfe, which can already be seen from the Stadttheater. The Calvary church, which was consecrated in 1742, is characterised above all by its imposing stations of the cross. It is the ideal start for a hike up to the Kreuzbergl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A funny detail as an aside:<\/strong> the only cross on the Kreuzbergl (which actually means \u201clittle cross mountain\u201d) can be found right here next to the church, along with a lovely city panorama for a souvenir photo or selfie. To date the \u201clittle mountain\u201d remains deprived of a true summit cross .\r\n\r\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(c) Tine Steinthaler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Good spot for a rest: the Botanical Garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But before you scale the stations on the cross to conquer the Kreuzbergl, it is well worth visiting Klagenfurt\u2019s Botanical Garden, which is immediately next to the Kreuzbergl church. The Carinthian Botanical Garden was laid out in the city\u2019s historic quarry \u2014 the source, by the way, of the famous \u201cKreuzbergl schist\u201d, from a chunk of which the Lindwurm on Neuer Platz was carved among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a place where people could occupy themselves with flora, but also as an oasis of calm, which well-informed inhabitants of Klagenfurt like to use especially in the summer months to have a rest when they come back from a walk on the Kreuzbergl. So follow their example, and sit on one of the hidden little benches \u2013 ideally next to the little waterfall \u2013 to admire the varied flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(c) Helge Bauer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A little mountain between the city and its natural surroundings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Klagenfurt Kreuzbergl is distinguished in particular by the fact that it forms a smooth transition from the city to a sort of park landscape, and finally to the natural surroundings. On the western slope, for example around the two lower Kreuzbergl ponds, there are still wide paths, rest areas and children\u2019s playgrounds, but from the third, or \u201cupper\u201d pond, it becomes noticeably more unspoiled, until at the central crossroads by the \u201cWei\u00dfer Hirsch\u201d you find yourself standing in the middle of the dense forest. \r\n\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy to find your way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, it is always easy to find your way around. This is due on the one hand to the excellent signposting stating realistic times, and on the other hand to the fact that the region is really manageable. All the same, even experienced Kreuzbergl hikers repeatedly find a new little path and rediscover \u201ctheir\u201d Kreuzbergl time and again. Visually the changes of the seasons ensure this, as they bathe the mixed forest in different colours all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hiking treat from all sides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every side of this long ridge has its own special character, and best of all: you never need to decide in advance which path to take, but can always make your mind up on a whim while hiking. Here are just a few reference points to help you find your way:\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n