Drive to the village of Patergassen and at the crossing turn right and continue along the federal road B95 for about 4 km until your reach the signpost “Hochrindl” on the right. After 3.5 km turn left at Saint Lorenzen and carry on until your reach Gasthof Pertl just below the church (Carinthia’s highest parish church). This is where you park your car.

SWARMING SWARMS. Follow the signpost that says “Rundwanderweg” (round hiking trail) that will first take you across some pastures. After about 700 metres, you’ll see a large solitary sycamore tree (typical the light-brown trunk and jagged palm-sized leaves) where you can put your rucksack and take off your shoes. Carry on barefoot into the bog meadow that covers an area of several hectares. Enjoy the sensation of the velvety soft ground under your feet – it feels a bit like floating. Focus on each of your footsteps. In some places you might feel as if the ground beneath your feet were giving way. But have trust in the ground below, the next step will give you confidence and you’ll soon be looking forward to the steps ahead. Here in this peaceful place, try and sharpen your senses by observing the diverse wildlife around you. There are dragonflies and all sorts of different insects, Alpine newts, grass frogs and so forth. The dragonflies are fascinating creatures that have two pairs of extraordinary wings that can also be moved independently of one another, which enables them to change direction abruptly or hover motionless in the air. Their delicate wings dazzle in the sunshine – note that this insect species is protected and on the endangered species list.

PEDICURE. Listen to the soft humming and chirping all around you.
Choose a sunny day for your moor experience and stand still with bare feet on the soft ground and let the sun shine on you. Soak in the warmth – it will do you good and energise you. Return through the moor to the sycamore tree and make yourself comfortable by sitting or lying on the mat in the shade of the tree. Here you are under the protective shelter of a vast and leafy canopy – even just gazing into the greenness above has a wonderfully soothing effect. If you feel tired, just close your eyes and let your mind wander.

Whenever you like, carry on along the marked round hiking trail that leads you back to your starting point. It will take about 1.5 hours and the trail is not strenuous in any way.
If you wish to enter the church, you have to fetch the key from Gasthof Pertl. Why not treat yourself to some genuine Carinthian cuisine at this traditional pub?