Tschekelnock (1,892 m) from the Windische Höhe

Level of difficulty: Medium

7.9 km

Distance
4.5 h

Duration
1100 vm

Lowest elevation
1892 vm

Highest elevation
800 vm
800 vm

Tschekelnock (1,892 m) from the Windische Höhe

The Windische Höhe is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,110 m and separates the districts of Hermagor and Villach. The Tschekelnock is one of the last peaks of the Gailtal Alps and is rarely climbed.

At the end, it becomes airy; before that, it is wooded. In early summer, the summit of the Tschekelnock is covered with auricula – mountain cowslip. The ascent is partly quite steep, passing a spring that dries up in dry periods. From the alpine hut, the path leads in a ridge-like terrain to the summit, where chamois often stay in the summit area.

The path mostly leads shaded through the forest to the summit above the treeline. The beautiful panoramic view deserves more hikers.

Suggestion

In former times, mining was carried out here; in spring, the summit is covered with auricula/mountain cowslip, rustic mountain forest.

Equipment

Proper footwear - hiking boots, weatherproof clothing, and hiking equipment are recommended. Bring enough drinking water as there is no spring on the way.

Directions

From the Gail valley: Take the B111 to St. Stefan/Gail, turn onto the Kreuzner Landesstraße (L33). Follow the road for about 8 km to the Windische Höhe.
From the Drava valley: Take the B100 to Feistritz/Drau, turn onto the Kreuzner Landesstraße (L33). Follow the road for about 17 km to the Windische Höhe.

A first glimpse

Some impressions of the tour

Directions

From the car park by the road, we climb westwards over the pasture fence and soon reach a dense forest. On the Gailtaler Höhenweg 229 along ditches, crossing the gravel path, to a small saddle (3/4 h). Turn right here onto the narrow path and steeply, past a fountain, back to the goods road. After around 1 ½ to 2 hours, we reach the unmanaged Hadersdorfer Almhütte at 1717 m above sea level and walk past it to the right (NE) through the forest until we reach the summit of the Tschekelnock after 1/2 hour. Soon we are standing on the summit, which is adorned with a large wooden cross. The Dobratsch rises mightily before us and the eye glides through the marvellous mountain world and over the Gailtal valley. The descent is the same as the ascent.

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