Unlimited outdoor pleasure

The Seebach Valley, at 1,300 m above sea level, with the natural jewel of Lake Stappitz, is one of the most beautiful high mountain valleys in the Hohen Tauern and, with an almost flat valley floor, thundering waterfalls, the crystal-clear Seebach stream and an imposing summit landscape, offers the best conditions for diverse, close-up enjoyment of nature.

Barrier-free for all

In order to make this outdoor experience equally accessible to families with buggies, people with disabilities and older people, the hiking trail to the lake has now been made completely barrier-free by the Mallnitz municipality and the Hohe Tauern National Park.

In addition to filling in potholes and re-stretching the surface of the car park to provide level parking spaces for around 900 metres, the project also invested in relaxation facilities that can be used equally by all target groups, barrier-free signposting and access, adaptation of the sanitary facilities and two sensory experience stations. Around € 75,000 was spent on this.

ÖZIV seal of approval for the new offer

The fact that the investment has paid off is confirmed not only by the positive feedback from visitors, but also by the award of the ÖZIV seal of approval (Federal Association for the People with Disabilities) for accessibility.

National Park Director Barbara Pucker is enthusiastic about the result: "With this, we are addressing new groups of guests who were previously unable to experience the nature of our protected area, or only to a limited extent. According to studies, accessibility in everyday life and leisure is indispensable for 10% of the population, necessary for about 40% and comfortable for 100%: therefore, any measure that promotes it is to be welcomed and actively supported."

"Experiencing nature for ALL"

However, this is only one of a total of eight nature experience trails in Carinthia, which was initiated by "ARGE Naturerleben" as part of the "Naturerleben für ALLE" project. The next goal is to obtain the ÖZIV seal of approval for the Mallnitz Visitor Centre and the National Park Exhibition in the ""Haus der Steinböcke"" (House of the Ibexes), which have already been planned or largely adapted to be "wheelchair accessible".

HIKING TIP!

Inclusion hikes to the natural jewel "Lake Stappitz"

When: every Wednesday, 23 August to 20 September
Start: 9:30 a.m.
Where: Mallnitz National Park community,
Meeting point: Ankogelbahn valley station car park
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Cost: adults € 13.00 / children up to 15 years free of charge

Free with National Park Carinthia Card

Registration & Info: www.nationalpark-hohetauern.at +43(0) 4824 2700-40 or www.hohetauern.at
Barrier-free in the Hohe Tauern National Park Corinthia (nationalpark-hohetauern.at)

More information about barrier-free holidays in Carinthia and barrier-free accommodation in Mallnitz
Barrier-free holidays in Corinthia (kaernten.at)