Camping am Badesee

Early holiday days at this splendidly-set site should include dips and fishing in the river along with hiking and biking nearby; when you're ready to venture further, a good variety of attractions and activities is within driving distance. Staying active, recommended local days include getting along to nearby Tonnerhütte (seven kilometres), the starting point of the Zirbitzkogel hike that clambers to an altitude of just under 4,000 metres to the highest point of the Lavanttal Alps. (Faint not: although high up, it's an easy wander and is well marked along the way.) Aficionados of Austrian summits have several more to pick from in the local area, such as Zirbitzkogel (12 kilometres), Kreuzeck (16 kilometres), Kalkberg (17 kilometres), Grebenzen (21 kilometres) and Kuhalm (34 kilometres). Or have a day at the Sankt Veit an der Glan town of Friesach (21 kilometres), 861 metres above sea level and the oldest recorded town in Carinthia. For more placid pastimes, the ruins and legends of Steinschloss can be found within 17 kilometres; even more peacefully, wellness resorts are in Gesundheitstherme Wildbad, 11 kilometres away, and St. Lambrecht's Abbey, within 21.