The 15-minute drive to the rock face starts out in Bad Eisenkappel, just four kilometres away from our farm. Take the federal road B82 in the direction of Seebergsattel and on the left-hand side in the village Bad Vellach you’ll find a car park where you can park your car. Only a few metres farther on you will discover the unique Christopherusfelsen, a larger-than-life rock picture of Saint Christophorus. Waggoners of the Vellachtal valley back in 1863 had the picture, measuring twelve metres in height, painted on the rock face. It represents the holy martyr and patron saint of travellers (formerly waggoners and nowadays motorists). The reason why it is unique is because Saint Christophorus is normally painted on the outside walls of churches. Each year in August, a festive church service is celebrated next to the rock face, where cars are blessed.

Feel the stone. Look for a comfortable spot and sit down by this legendary cliff. Do you feel like exploring this ancient stone with your hands? Use all of your senses and try placing your ear on the stone. Maybe you can sense all the tales the rock could tell you from times long gone by.
Our tip:
Once upon a time people believed that the protection against life-threatening dangers given to you just by gazing at the picture early in the morning lasted the whole day, so drive to the Christophorusfelsen first thing in the morning.

Your walk continues along a marked forest trail leading to the Virnik-Quelle on the Paulitsch-Sattel at an altitude of 1,339 m. Make use of the one hour’s walk by becoming aware of your movements along this gravel path leading gently uphill to two farms. Step by step like on a pilgrimage, focus on the here and now. This way you will find it easier and easier to gain inner peace. Every so often you’ll catch some spectacular glimpses of the surrounding peaks of the Vellacher-Kotschna and the Steiner Alps. You’ll have reached the spring when you see the trough well supplying the Vrinik water.

Water as elixir. Water such as that of the Virnik spring that contains a lot of magnesium has a very healthy effect on the stress-related constriction of blood vessels and, on top of that, is a gentle remedy for helping muscles to regenerate after exercising. Drink this precious water slowly by taking tiny sips. Can you feel the tension easing and are you starting to feel lighter? If you like, treat the muscles of your legs to the relaxing water and bathe them a little inside the trough.

To return to the car park, take the same route. For refreshments, we recommend having a meal at the Marktstube in Bad Eisenkappel: They prepare excellent dishes with Carinthian Brillenschaf (literally: “spectacles sheep”, special breed with pigmentation around the eyes, makes them look as if they had glasses on)!