Geography Of Hermagor-Pressegger See
Hermagor-Pressegger See is a town and municipality situated in Austria’s Carinthia. Hermagor’s district capital is this as well. The name of the town comes from Saint Hermagoras, our patron saint—the first bishop of Aquileia. Hermagor-Pressegger See in the lower Gail valley lies close the Italian border, towards the northern base of the Carnic Alps. Its population is near to 6,800; its total area is 204.82 km2.
Location
Hermagor-Pressegger See is located the southernmost state of Austria, Carinthia, in the southwest. It is in the historical territory of Upper Carinthia, previously under Duchy of Carinthia. Municipalities of Kirchbach, Gitschtal, Weissensee, Kötschach-Mauthen, Lesachtal, Dellach im Gailtal, and Sankt Stefan im Gailtal round Hermagor-Pressegger See.
Rising at 602 m above sea level, Hermagor-Pressegger See is situated at 46°37′38′N 13°22′02′E. About forty kilometers east of the Italian city of Udine and one hundred kilometers west of the state capital, Klagenfurt, the village is About 120 kilometers separate Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, the closest international airport, from here.
Hermagor-Pressegger See is surrounded in both natural and cultural spheres. To the south it runs beside the Carnia, a physical and historical region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy. Its westward border is the Gailtal Alps, a mountain range comprising the Southern Limestone Alps. To the north it runs beside the biggest river valley of Central Europe, the Drau valley. To the east it runs beside the Drava valley in Carinthia, the Rosental.
There are several ways one could reach Hermagor-Pressegger See. Roadwise, it is linked to the Austrian motorway system via the A2 Süd Autobahn, which winds the Drau valley. About 50km east of the town, in Villach, is the closest exit. The B111 Gailtal Straße then takes one to Hermagor-Pressegger See. Alternatively, the town is reachable from Italy by the Naßfeld Pass, which links it to the Italian municipality of Pontebba. Hermagor-Pressegger See is a halt on the Gailtal Railway line, spanning Arnoldstein to Kötsch-Mauthen, by train. Providing local and regional services, the railway station is situated in the town core. Both domestic and international flights are offered by the closest airports, Klagenfurt Airport and Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, by air.
Terrain and Topography
Hermagor-Pressegger See has a great range of settings from rolling, gorgeous mountains to rolling, lush plains. The Gail winds over the large lower Gail valley, where the town resides, as a tributary of the Drava River. The valley bottom consists mostly on farms, meadows, and woodlands. Perched on a terrace far above the river, the community offers expansive views of the landscape below. The municipality also overlays portions of the Italian and Austrian mountain range Carnic Alps. The Carnic Alps are distinguished by steep slopes, rocky summits, and alpine meadows. The highest point in the municipality is the 2, 195-meter-tall Gartnerkofel located within the Naßfeld ski resort.
Mountain Ranges
Hermagor-Pressegger See falls inside the Gailtal Alps and the Carnic Alps two mountain groups. Comprising the Julian Alps in Slovenia and the Dolomites in Italy, the Carnic Alps are a sub-range of the Southern Limestone Alps Among the various groups the Carnic Alps are split into are the Gailtal Alps, the Kreuzeck Group, and the Reißkofel Group. Comprising a sub-range of the Carnic Alps, the Gailtal Alps run from the Gail valley to the Lesachtal valley. Comprising various massifs including the Reißkofel, the Spitzegel, and the Trogkofel, the Gailtal Alps are composed.
Hermagor-Pressegger See boasts numerous major mountain summits with breathtaking views and difficult paths. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Gartnerkofel: Peak of the municipality and the Naßfeld ski resort is the Gartnerkofel. Situated on the boundary between Austria and Italy, this 2, 195 m high peak Skiers, hikers, and climbers all frequent this place. One may have a panoramic perspective of the Adriatic Sea, the Julian Alps, and the Carnic Alps from the peak.
- Reißkofel: Second highest mountain of the municipality and highest summit of the Gailtal Alps is the Reißkofel. Rising 2,371 m, this peak rules the western section of the Gail valley. This is a well-known monument and a difficult climb. One may see the Hohe Tauern, the Karawanks, and the Carnic Alps from the peak.
- Spitzegel: Rising in the eastern portion of the Gailtal Alps, the 2,119 m high Spitzegel peak is This peak is unique and shaped sharply and pointedly. Mountaineers and hikers especially frequent this location. From the top one can overlook the Rosental, the Gail valley, and the Drau valley.
Notable Summits
Hermagor-Pressegger See’s several high points are quite worth visiting given their historical significance and scenic appeal. Among the most well-known ones are:
- Poludnig: Situated in the southern part of the municipality is the 1, 999-meter-tall Poludnig. From this grassy, moderate slope, one can overlook the Pressegger overlook and the Carnic Alps. Historical relevance stems from the place of a violent fight between Italian and Austrian forces in World War I.
- Trogkofel: Rising 2,280 meters, the Trogkofel keeps watch over the Italy-Austrian border. This jagged, steep peak forms part of the Naßfeld ski resort. It is a historical site in its own right since a vital fortification was built there during the First World War. On top of the hill, the crumbling remains of the fort are clearly visible.
- Zottachkopf: Zottachkopf, 1,789-meter-tall, sits in the northern part of the municipality. From this softly ascending, forested hill one can get views over the Gail valley and the Weissensee. Standing there is a pilgrimage church honoring Saint Mary Magdalene, therefore becoming it a cultural site in its own right.
Valleys and Basins
The several basins and valleys that make up Hermagor-Pressegger See contain natural and cultural resources. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Gail valley: The main drainage system for the town and the nearby area is the Gail valley. Through this large valley sits the Gail River, a Drava tributary. The valley bottom consists mostly on farms, meadows, and woodlands. Along with the valley are other towns and villages including Hermagor, Tröpolach, and Rattendorf. Like Gailtaler Almkäse and Gailtaler Speck, the valley’s culinary treats are equally well-known as its cultural diversity and scenic splendor.
- Lesachtal valley: Comprising the western part of the municipality, the Lesachtal valley is a tributary valley of the Gail river. Running beside the Gail’s Lesach River is a small and remote valley. The terrain of the valley consists mostly on mountains, forests, and alpine pastues. Among the little towns and villages inhabiting this valley are Liesing, Birnbaum, and Maria Luggau. Famously the valley is for its natural beauty, style of life, and religious sites including the St. Lorenzen monastery and the Maria Luggau pilgrimage church.
- Pressegger See basin: The Pressegger See basin is a dip in southern parts of the municipality. There lies the big reed-banked lake known as the Pressegger See, among Austria’s warmest lakes. Mountains and hills encircle the basin include Poludnig, Gartnerkofel, and Spitzegel. The basin is well-known for both its visual worth and recreational opportunities as well as its ecological importance since it hosts many various species of flora, fish, and birds.
Bodies of Water
Lakes
Because of their scenic appeal and leisure possibilities, several lakes in Hermagor-Pressegger See are popular sites. Among the most often used ones are:
- Pressegger See: The main body of water in the municipality and area is the Pressegger See. This glacier lake finds home in the Pressegger See basin. It is among the warmest lakes in Austria since summer brings an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. This lake is among the most biodiverse areas in Austria since it boasts more than three hundred distinct plant and animal species. Many visit the lake to swim, fish, and bird viewing.
- Weissensee: The lake Weissensee resides in the northern part of the municipality. Carinthia’s biggest and highest natural lake is 6.5km2 in area and 9.530 meters above sea level. Protected natural region with great beauty, abundance of species, and pure water known as the lake is Many visit the lake to fish, ice skate, swim, and sail.
- Egger Alm See: In the westernmost part of the municipality sits the lake known as Egger Alm See. Built by damming the Lesach River, this is a man-made lake. Situated on the high Egger Alm, a high Alpine pasture offering expansive views of the Gailtal and Carnic Alps, sits the lake. People enjoy riding bikes, hiking to the lake, and picnics.
Scenic Views
You will be in wonder of Hermagor-Pressegger See’s varied and breathtaking landscape. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Naßfeld Panorama: The Naßfeld Panorama comprises views from the Gartnerkofel and the Naßfeld Pass. This amazing panorama shows the Julian Alps, the Adriatic Sea, and the Carnic Alps. The amazing perspective emphasizes the great difference between the jagged, rocky mountains and the calm blue water. It is also a historical point of view since it was the site of several fortifications and wars and defines the line separating Italy from Austria.
- Gail Valley View: From Hermagor town, Tröpolach village, and Spitzegel mountain, the Gail Valley View is a vista one could enjoy from many points in the Gail valley. This amazing view shows the Gail valley, river, and Gailtal Alps as well as Tall and proud against the lush, level valley below are the gorgeous mountains. It is just amazing. It is also culturally important since it catches the range and depth of the territory.
- Weissensee View: From the boat, atop Golz Mountain, or in the town of Techendorf, you will be in awe of the Weissensee, sometimes called as the Weissensee View. The perspective spans the woods, the Weissensee, and the mountains far off. This calm scenario emphasizes the lake’s natural beauty and peace. This point of view is also environmental since it represents the preservation of the lake and its occupants.
