Hermagor

Introducing Hermagor

Situated about 50km west of Villach, Hermagor is popular as a base for skiing in the nearby Nassfeld ski pistes, where there are 110km of pistes (day pass €36) and also Nordic skiing trails and snowboarding runs; in summer it morphs into a low-key spot for hikers and mountain bikers. Hermagor is the starting point for hiking the spectacular Garnitzenklamm, a narrow gorge some 2.5km west of town.

Facilities such as banks, supermarkets and a post office are all central or near the tourist office.

The tourist office (2043; www.hermagor.com; Göseringlände 7; 8.30am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-noon & 1-6pm Sat, 9am-noon Sun Jun-Aug, 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-noon Sat Sep-May) is about 400m west of the train station on the B111. It has well-informed staff with information on skiing, guided and unguided hiking, and mountain biking in the area.

The Millennium-Express cable car (adult/child €15/4 return) climbs 6km up to Nassfeld, makingit Austria’s longest. The valley station is in Tröpolach, 8km west of town along the B111 and then B90.

Hotel Bürgerbräu (250 85; www.buergerbrau.at; Gasserplatz 1; s/d €46/92) has clean, modern rooms and a helpful owner, free bicycle use for guests and facilities catering to skiers in winter – a free bus to the Millennium-Express picks you up here.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009