Geography Of Velden am Wörther See

Velden am Wörther See is situated in the Klagenfurt-Land district of Carinthia, the southernmost state of Austria. The town covers an area of 54.32 square kilometers and has a population of about 9,000. The town lies at an altitude of 460 meters above sea level and has a mild continental climate.

The town is surrounded by the Alps, which provide a stunning backdrop for the lake. The lake itself has a surface area of 19.39 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 85.2 meters. The lake is fed by several streams and rivers, such as the Drau, the Keutschacher Seebach, and the Veldener Bach. The lake is also home to a variety of fish, birds, and plants.

Velden is comprised of eight cadastral communities: Augsdorf, Duel, Kerschdorf ob Velden, Köstenberg, Latschach a der Drau, Lind ob Velden, St. Egyden, and Velden am Wörther See. Additionally, it encompasses a total of 30 villages.

Aich ( Dob ) (145)
Augsdorf ( Loga Vas ) (486)
Brook ( Potok ) (120)
Dieschitz ( Deščice ) (112)
Dröschitz ( Trešiče ) (228)
Duel ( Dole ) (156)
Fahrendorf ( Borovniče ) (125)
Göriach ( Gorje ) (300)
Kantnig ( Konatiče ) (2)
Kerschdorf ( Črešnje ) (296)
Köstenberg ( Kostanje ) (144)
Kranzlhofen ( Dvor ) (208)
Latschach ( Loče ) (104)
Lind ob Velden ( Lipa ob Vrbi ) (1029)
Upper village ( Zgornja vas ) (305)
Upper Jeserz ( Zgornje Jezerce ) (188)
Oberwinklern ( Vogliče ) (180)
Pulpitsch ( Polpače ) (59)
Rajach ( Sreje ) (223)
Saisserach ( Zajzare ) (11)
St. Egyden ( Šentilj ) (332)
Selprič ( Žoprače ) (830)
Sun valley (397)
Sternberg ( Šentjurij na Strmcu ) (79)
Meeting ( Trebinja ) (69)
Lower Jeserz ( Spodnje Jezerce ) (175)
Unterwinklern ( Spodnje Vogliče ) (47)
Velden am Wörther See ( Vrba ) (2368)
Weinzierl ( Vinars ) (140)
Wurzen ( Koren ) (293)

Location

Velden am Wörther See is located in the Villach-Land district, in the south of Carinthia. It covers an area of 52.97 square kilometers and has a population of 8,954 as of 2018. The town lies at an elevation of 460 meters above sea level and has a mild climate with warm summers and cold winters.

Velden am Wörther See is situated on the western shore of the Wörthersee lake, the largest and most famous lake in Carinthia. The lake has a surface area of 19.39 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 85.2 meters. The lake is fed by several streams and drains into the Drau river, which flows eastward through Carinthia and Slovenia.

The town is surrounded by the Karawanken mountain range to the south, the Ossiacher Tauern to the north, and the Gerlitzen to the east. The town is also close to the border with Slovenia, which is only 15 kilometers away.

Velden am Wörther See borders the following municipalities:

Schiefling am See to the east
Rosegg to the south
Sankt Jakob im Rosental to the southwest
Ludmannsdorf to the west
Köttmannsdorf to the northwest
Maria Wörth to the northeast

Velden am Wörther See is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. The town has a railway station on the Southern Railway line, which connects Vienna and Villach. The town is also served by several bus lines that link it to other towns and cities in the region. The nearest airport is Klagenfurt Airport, which is 25 kilometers away and offers domestic and international flights.

The town is also connected by several roads, including the A2 motorway, which runs along the northern shore of the Wörthersee lake and connects Vienna and Graz with Italy and Slovenia. The B83 road, also known as the Wörthersee Straße, runs along the southern shore of the lake and connects Velden am Wörther See with Klagenfurt and other towns along the lake.

Terrain and Topography

Velden am Wörther See has a varied terrain and topography, ranging from flat and fertile plains to hilly and wooded areas. The town is divided into eight cadastral communities, which include 30 villages. The town center is located on the shore of the lake, where the Velden Bay forms a natural harbor. The town center is characterized by its historic buildings, such as the Schloss Velden, a former castle that is now a luxury hotel, and the Casino Velden, a popular gambling and entertainment venue.

The town also has several green spaces, such as the Kurpark, a public park that hosts concerts and events, and the Rosegg Animal Park, a zoo that features native and exotic animals. The town also has several sports and recreational facilities, such as the Strandbad Velden, a public beach and swimming area, and the Golfclub Velden-Köstenberg, an 18-hole golf course.

The surrounding areas of the town are mostly rural and agricultural, with fields, meadows, and orchards. The town also has several forests, such as the Augsdorfer Wald, the Kerschdorfer Wald, and the Sternberger Wald, which offer hiking and biking trails and scenic views.

Mountain Ranges

Terrain and Topography

Velden am Wörther See is located in the foothills of the Alps, and is surrounded by several mountain ranges. The most prominent ones are:

The Karawanken, a 120-kilometer-long mountain range that forms the border between Austria and Slovenia. The Karawanken are part of the Southern Limestone Alps and have an average height of 1,500 meters. The highest peak in the range is the Hochstuhl, which reaches 2,237 meters. The Karawanken are popular for hiking, climbing, and skiing, and offer panoramic views of the Wörthersee lake and the Drau valley.
The Ossiacher Tauern, a 20-kilometer-long mountain range that lies north of the Wörthersee lake. The Ossiacher Tauern are part of the Gurktal Alps and have an average height of 1,000 meters. The highest peak in the range is the Gerlitzen, which reaches 1,909 meters. The Ossiacher Tauern are known for their diverse flora and fauna, and offer hiking and biking trails and winter sports facilities.
The Gerlitzen, a solitary mountain that rises east of the Wörthersee lake. The Gerlitzen is part of the Ossiacher Tauern and has a height of 1,909 meters. The Gerlitzen is a popular destination for paragliding, hang gliding, and skiing, and offers a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Key Mountain Peaks

Terrain and Topography

Some of the key mountain peaks in the vicinity of Velden am Wörther See are:

The Hochstuhl, the highest peak in the Karawanken range, with a height of 2,237 meters. The Hochstuhl is located on the border between Austria and Slovenia, and can be accessed by several hiking routes from both sides. The Hochstuhl offers a spectacular view of the Wörthersee lake, the Drau valley, and the Julian Alps.
The Gerlitzen, the highest peak in the Ossiacher Tauern range, with a height of 1,909 meters. The Gerlitzen is located east of the Wörthersee lake, and can be reached by a cable car from the village of Annenheim. The Gerlitzen offers a panoramic view of the lake, the Karawanken, and the Hohe Tauern.
The Dobratsch, a prominent mountain in the Gailtal Alps, with a height of 2,166 meters. The Dobratsch is located west of Villach, and can be accessed by a toll road from the village of Bad Bleiberg. The Dobratsch is known for its natural and cultural attractions, such as the Dobratsch Nature Park, the Dobratsch Transmitter, and the Dobratsch Sanctuary.

Notable Summits

Terrain and Topography

Some of the notable summits in the vicinity of Velden am Wörther See are:

The Mittagskogel, a distinctive peak in the Karawanken range, with a height of 2,145 meters. The Mittagskogel is located south of the Wörthersee lake, and can be seen from many places in the region. The Mittagskogel can be climbed by several hiking routes from both Austria and Slovenia, and offers a view of the lake, the Julian Alps, and the Triglav National Park.
The Wörthersee Mandl, a rocky peak in the Ossiacher Tauern range, with a height of 1,706 meters. The Wörthersee Mandl is located north of the Wörthersee lake, and can be reached by a hiking trail from the village of Ossiach. The Wörthersee Mandl offers a view of the lake, the Gerlitzen, and the Ossiacher See.
The Kanzianiberg, a limestone cliff in the Karawanken range, with a height of 1,056 meters. The Kanzianiberg is located south of the Wörthersee lake, and can be accessed by a road from the village of Finkenstein. The Kanzianiberg is a popular destination for rock climbing, with over 400 routes of various difficulties.

Flora and Fauna

Velden am Wörther See has a diverse and abundant flora and fauna, reflecting its varied terrain and climate. The town and its surroundings are home to various species of plants and animals, some of which are endemic, rare, or protected.

Some of the flora and fauna in the vicinity of Velden am Wörther See are:

The Wörthersee Edelweiss, a subspecies of edelweiss that is endemic to the Wörthersee lake. The Wörthersee Edelweiss is a small and white flower that grows on the rocky shores of the lake. The Wörthersee Edelweiss is a symbol of the region, and is featured on the coat of arms of Velden am Wörther See.
The Wörthersee Trout, a subspecies of trout that is endemic to the Wörthersee lake. The Wörthersee Trout is a large and silver fish that can reach up to 20 kilograms in weight and 1 meter in length. The Wörthersee Trout is a delicacy of the region, and is served in many restaurants and hotels around the lake.
The Wörthersee Eagle, a subspecies of golden eagle that is native to the Karawanken range. The Wörthersee Eagle is a large and majestic bird of prey that can have a wingspan of up to 2.3 meters. The Wörthersee Eagle is a rare and protected species, and can be spotted soaring over the mountains and the lake.

Bodies of Water

Velden am Wörther See is located in a region that is rich in water resources, such as lakes, rivers, and streams. The town and its surroundings are influenced by the hydrological cycle, which involves the movement of water between the atmosphere, the land, and the sea.

Some of the bodies of water in the vicinity of Velden am Wörther See are:

The Wörthersee, the largest and most famous lake in Carinthia. The Wörthersee is a glacial lake, formed by the melting of the glaciers that covered the Alps during the Ice Age. The Wörthersee has a surface area of 19.39 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 85.2 meters. The Wörthersee is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of water sports, such as swimming, boating, sailing, and diving. The Wörthersee is also known for its scenic views, such as the Wörthersee View, a lookout point that offers a panoramic view of the lake and the mountains.
The Ossiacher See, a scenic lake that lies north of the Wörthersee lake. The Ossiacher See is a glacial lake, formed by the melting of the glaciers that covered the Alps during the Ice Age. The Ossiacher See has a surface area of 10.8 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 52 meters. The Ossiacher See is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of water sports, such as fishing, kayaking, and windsurfing. The Ossiacher See is also known for its natural and cultural attractions, such as the Ossiach Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that hosts a music festival, and the Ossiach Island, a small island that contains a chapel and a cemetery.
The Drau, the longest river in Carinthia. The Drau is a tributary of the Danube, and flows from the Alps to the Black Sea. The Drau has a length of 749 kilometers and a drainage basin of 40,126 square kilometers. The Drau is a source of hydroelectric power, as it contains several dams and power plants along its course. The Drau is also a source of irrigation, as it waters the fields and orchards in the region. The Drau is also a source of recreation, as it offers opportunities for rafting, canoeing, and fishing.

Scenic Views

Velden am Wörther See is a town that offers many scenic views, both natural and man-made. The town and its surroundings are blessed with a beautiful landscape, composed of mountains, lakes, forests, and fields. The town and its surroundings are also adorned with a charming architecture, consisting of historic buildings, monuments, and bridges.

Some of the scenic views in the vicinity of Velden am Wörther See are:

The Wörthersee View, a lookout point that offers a panoramic view of the Wörthersee lake and the surrounding mountains. The Wörthersee View is located on the Pyramidenkogel, a hill south of the lake that has a height of 851 meters. The Wörthersee View can be reached by a road or a hiking trail from the village of Keutschach. The Wörthersee View is also the location of the Pyramidenkogel Tower, a 100-meter-high observation tower that has a spiral slide and a bungee jump.
The Schloss Velden, a former castle that is now a luxury hotel. The Schloss Velden is located on the shore of the Wörthersee lake, in the center of the town of Velden am Wörther See. The Schloss Velden dates back to the 16th century, and has a Renaissance style. The Schloss Velden is a landmark of the town, and is featured in many films and TV shows, such as the comedy series Ein Schloss am Wörthersee.
The Gerlitzen View, a lookout point that offers a panoramic view of the Ossiacher See and the surrounding mountains. The Gerlitzen View is located on the Gerlitzen, the highest peak in the Ossiacher Tauern range, with a height of 1,909 meters. The Gerlitzen View can be reached by a cable car from the village of Annenheim. The Gerlitzen View is also the location of the Gerlitzen Alpe, a ski resort that offers winter sports and panoramic views.
The Maria Wörth View, a lookout point that offers a scenic view of the Wörthersee lake and the town of Maria Wörth. The Maria Wörth View is located on the peninsula of Maria Wörth, a small island that is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The Maria Wörth View can be reached by a road or a boat from the town of Velden am Wörther See. The Maria Wörth View is also the location of the Maria Wörth Church, a Romanesque church that dates back to the 12th century and contains a famous organ and a crypt.
The Rosegg Castle View, a lookout point that offers a historical view of the Rosegg Castle and the Rosegg Valley. The Rosegg Castle View is located on the hill of Rosegg, where the Rosegg Castle stands. The Rosegg Castle View can be reached by a road or a hiking trail from the town of Rosegg. The Rosegg Castle View is also the location of the Rosegg Castle Museum, a museum that displays the history and culture of the region, and the Rosegg Castle Zoo, a zoo that features native and exotic animals.