Drau Paddle Route - West Section, Drau Valley

Lienz - Oberdrauburg (20.1 km)

20.10 river kilometers separate Lienz and Oberdrauburg. This section on the Drau is only suitable for advanced paddlers due to the whitewater (Whitewater I) between Lienz and Nikolsdorf. Only in the last 8 kilometers does the Drau become calmer from Nikolsdorf and also family-friendly. From the entry point in Nikolsdorf you can start a canoe route with the whole family. If you want to continue by bike on the Drau Cycle Path at the end of the stage from Oberdrauburg, it is best to use the bike rental at Gasthof Pontiller or the Oberdrauburg campsite. Waters: From Lienz about 12 km Whitewater I, family-friendly from Nikolsdorf.

Oberdrauburg - Greifenburg (18.2 km)

Here, between the Kreuzeck group to the north and the Gailtal Alps to the south, the entry/exit point is located in the immediate vicinity of Oberdrauburg train station. The water is cool and not deep at this point, and the flow rate allows for a comfortable entry. At 10 to 15 km/h you embark on your Drau safari between the Gailtal Alps and the Weissensee Nature Park. Waters: 100% flowing. Halfway between Oberdrauburg and Greifenburg, the Drauoase Dellach east of the Drau bridge offers a nice place to rest. Canoes lie safely on the shore while you use the viewing platform at the tower or the barbecue area.

Greifenburg - Sachsenburg (20.7 km)

From the start of the stage, a few meters from Greifenburg-Weißensee station in the town of Bruggen, you paddle approx. 21 km in about 2.5 to 3 hours to Sachsenburg. From there you continue through Gajach, Fellbach, Kleblach-Lind, Oberallach to Lind in the Drau Valley. The Raggnitz Castle, first mentioned in 1254, is located in the Steinfeld municipality. At Lind in the Drau Valley you pass under the Fellbacher state road the Drau bridge. At the height of Bärnbader Kreuz the Drau paddle route and the Drau cycle path join again. From here both run parallel to the station in Sachsenburg. The exit in Sachsenburg is on the right bank at the rafting landing, about 100 meters east of the campsite. Waters: 100% flowing.

Sachsenburg - Spittal an der Drau (14.8 km)

On the 14.8 km stage you pass Möllbrücke, Lendorf and St. Peter in Holz, where the Roman archaeological site Teurnia is located. The entry/exit point is on the left bank near the gondola to Sportberg Goldeck. The summit of Goldeck and the mountain restaurant can be reached in just a few minutes by the Goldeck cable cars - a wonderful mountain-river combination. You can also take a nice culinary break in the restaurant of the Drautalperle adventure pool.

Spittal an der Drau - Feistritz an der Drau / Pobersach (19.4 km)

In Spittal an der Drau you can paddle the Drau at the entry/exit point Spittal/Goldeck or one kilometer further at the entry point Spittal/Camping at Camping Draufluss. From the entry point Spittal/Goldeck it takes 1.5 to 2 hours over 15.7 kilometers to the exit point in front of the Paternion power plant. Here is also the Peternion train station only 500 m away, ideal for a return trip to one of the starting points. For the onward journey to Feistritz / Pobersach you walk a short distance along the cycle path to the power plant, over which you cross to the right riverbank. On the right bank you can re-enter and continue the trip comfortably on the water to the next exit point at Pobersach. Waters: 50% flowing, 50% reservoir.

Feistritz an der Drau - Villach (17.9 km)

The stage is entertaining and varied, taking 3.5 to 4 hours. After the historic Drau ferry in Lansach-Feffernitz, a testament to centuries-old tradition, you immerse yourself in an enchanting natural landscape lined with a wide reed belt. Shortly thereafter, at the Kellerberg power plant on the right riverbank, you must get out of the water to bypass the power plant. The short excursion ashore under the shady canopy of trees along the Drau Cycle Path sets the mood for the final part of the stage. The journey to Villach continues at a leisurely pace until the exit at the Villach power plant, Rennstein district. Waters: very gently flowing, standing in the reservoir area. From the Villach power plant, which must be bypassed over about 500 m, it is about 3 km to the city center of Villach. The exit is located on the left side directly at the Villach Congress Center.

The mobile paddle center is available at the desired entry and exit points by prior arrangement. SUPs, single or double sea kayaks or canoes can be rented there. Of course including paddle, life jacket, waterproof barrel or backpack. For kayaks, spray decks are included.

Please refer to the website www.draupaddelweg.com for current rental prices. The paddle center can also take over luggage and passenger transport for a fee.

Proper behavior on the river - safety instructions for canoes, kayaks, and SUP

Every participant must be able to swim.

Alcohol is prohibited before and during the tour.

The ships of the Drau shipping company have priority.

Only marked entry and exit points as well as publicly accessible places may be used.

Obstacles must be avoided early and widely (especially trees, bank vegetation, bridge pillars, all types of reinforcements and fixtures, other ships).

Before and after weirs, the designated entry and exit points must be used. To bypass the weirs, the designated and marked paths must be used.

Waste must be taken away and disposed of at the exit. This also includes cigarette butts.

Basically, you paddle in the middle of the river, the shore area should be avoided.

In case of approaching storms, a safe shore spot must be sought early.

Participation requirements for guided tours with the Drau Paddle Center:

Participation in our introductory talk is mandatory.

The personnel's instructions must be followed unconditionally.

Life jackets must be worn throughout the entire trip.

Deliberately/negligently caused damage to rental equipment or lost rental equipment must be replaced.

Rental equipment that is left unattended/unlocked and is therefore stolen must be replaced by the participant.

The complete participation requirements and safety instructions can be found online at www.draupaddelweg.com

www.draupaddelweg.com

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