Lakes & swimming

The Turnersee is, so to speak, our home lake: you are only about ten minutes’ walk from its shore. Nestled among meadows and woods at 481 m above sea level, it lies in the middle of a Natura 2000 protected area and borders directly on the Sablatnigmoor bird sanctuary. At around 44 hectares and up to 13 m deep, it is much smaller, quieter and more sheltered from the wind than the neighbouring Klopeiner See – which is exactly what families and anyone looking for peace rather than crowds love about it. In high summer the water warms up pleasantly, and the bathing water quality has been rated “excellent” for years.

There are seven swimming spots around the lake. The municipal lido offers a lawn of around 1,000 m² for sunbathing, a playground, a bistro and a wonderful view of the Hochobir and the Petzen. There are also private lidos where you can while away the day. If you would rather be on the move, walk around the lake on the family-friendly Slow Trail Turnersee or stop at the Bike Break with its play tower, pump track and e-bike charging station. And in early June the whole lake celebrates at the Seefestl am Turnersee.

The Klopeiner See is the heart of our holiday region and one of the warmest swimming lakes in Europe: on midsummer days the water reaches up to 28 °C. The reason: very little water flows through the lake, so it stays in the basin for a long time and warms up nicely in the sun. It lies at 446 m above sea level, covers around 1.1 km², is up to 48 m deep and has drinking-water quality; in the bays the pale, chalky lake bed shimmers turquoise.

Austria’s only continuous lakeside promenade runs all the way round the lake. The circular path of about 5.3 km can be done at a leisurely pace in around an hour and a half: the north shore tempts you with cafés, shops and an art mile, while the south shore is quieter and more natural. You can swim at numerous public and private lidos, and there are SUP boards, kayaks, pedal and rowing boats as well as diving courses. At the Kärntner Badehaus, saunas and a heated infinity pool with direct access to the lake await you all year round. In summer the PromenadenZauber, the water and light shows and, in early July, the big “See in Flammen” festival with fireworks make for unforgettable evenings.

The Gösselsdorfer See between Eberndorf and Sittersdorf is an insider tip for anyone who loves unspoilt nature. Much of the lake has silted up, it is only around three metres deep and is fed mainly by groundwater – so it warms up quickly in summer. It lies in a protected landscape area and, like the Turnersee and the Sablatnigmoor, is an important resting place for migratory birds on their way over the Karawanks.

On the west shore you will find the public bathing area with a sunbathing lawn, children’s playground, pedalo hire and a snack bar with a terrace. All around stretch reeds, wet meadows and fields, with the Karawanks in the background. From our house the lake is easy to reach by bike on quiet back roads, and it combines nicely with the Sablatnigmoor or Stift Eberndorf.

The Linsendorfer See near Linsendorf in the municipality of Gallizien is a former meander of the Drava – a quiet natural swimming lake of around 21 hectares with very good water quality. At the Kohldorf municipal bathing area there is a large, natural sunbathing lawn with a jetty; swimming is free. There is no kiosk and no lido facilities – instead, plenty of space and little hustle and bustle.

Around the lake, wet meadows, dry grassland and riverside forest alternate – in early summer, oxeye daisies and clover bloom here. The lake is close to the Drava Cycle Path and makes a good swimming break on a bike tour along the Drava. Bring drinks, a snack and perhaps a parasol, as shade on the lawn is only found around the edges.