Difficulty:medium
Length:12.4 kmDuration:5:20 hElevation uphill:722 m
On the third stage, the trail leads in a westerly direction through the Lesachtal valley and the villages of Unter- and Obertilliach. At Obertilliach, with its listed village center, the route climbs up a steep path to the Gailtaler Höhenweg, which leads steadily downhill again to St. Oswald above Kartitsch.
A cultural highlight along the way is the small church of St. Oswald, which is located at the end of the stage. It is an important place of contemplation and attracts pilgrims with its simple but impressive architecture and peaceful atmosphere. Here, hikers have the opportunity to pray and organize their thoughts.
From Maria Luggau, we first follow the cross-country ski trail (alternatively the main road), then the Grenzlandweg towards Kartitscher Sattel, cross the well-known and unique cultural landscape of the Obertilliach fields with their numerous hay huts, before reaching the parish church dedicated to St. Ulrich and the pilgrim patron saint and apostle James in the listed village center of Obertilliach. At the northern end of the village, we follow the goods road, which continues to the left at the "Mauer" (just above the first T-bar lift) in the direction of Gripp (no. 47). A shady, sometimes somewhat steep path soon branches off from this and crosses the goods path several times. At the edge of the forest at Gripp there is a small private mountain hut with a wonderful view. From here, the path continues along the now treeless south-west facing mountain flank to the fork in the path at a biotope. Here we now follow a narrow, almost flat path that leads us west towards Pfannegg and finally joins the Gailtaler Höhenweg.
Seclusion, tranquillity and wonderful panoramic views quickly make you forget the effort of the ascent. Over the Dorfberg (2,113 m), we continue in the sunshine and in a panoramic location to St. Oswald, our destination.
